The Empress Theophano Prize Honours the Contribution of Science to Humankind

The Empress Theophano Prize in 2021 focuses on the critical role science serves in society and on its contribution to the Common Good. The Governing and Advisory Councils of the Theophano Foundation chose to turn our attention to the manifold manners in which science improves people’s lives, by acknowledging the couple who developed the very first vaccine against the novel coronavirus, Dr Uğur Şahin and Dr Özlem Türeci. Setting an example and constituting motivation for young people everywhere, the two scientists have demonstrated solid and persistent efforts to solve an unprecedented health crisis, dedication to the Common Good, and high quality of research and expertise, leading to a discovery that has given hope not only to Europe, but to Humankind.

Just a few months before visiting Thessaloniki for the Empress Theophano Award Ceremony, Dr Uğur Şahin and Dr Özlem Türeci stated that “The Empress Theophano Prize is a great recognition and an honour for us. Thank you for deeming us worthy ambassadors of the cause that this Prize represents: Improving lives is indeed the most noble purpose of science, and a mission which is close to our hearts. We are thrilled to accept this prestigious award and do this on behalf of an extraordinary team that made Project Lightspeed – Made in Europe possible.” Echoing the story of Empress Theophano, a Byzantine princess who became Empress of the German Empire in the 10^th century, Dr Uğur Şahin and Dr Özlem Türeci also represent Europe’s diversity, as it becomes a space for tremendous achievement and a field for transnational cooperation.

The Award Ceremony for the Empress Theophano Award 2021 will take place on Wednesday, the 13th of October 2021 in Thessaloniki, in the unique setting of the Rotunda, a landmark monument that epitomises the Roman, Byzantine, Orthodox, Ottoman, and Greek influence on the shaping of Europe.

HE the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou will honour the Ceremony with her presence and address the distinguished guests.

Alexis Papahelas, journalist and Executive Editor of Kathimerini newspaper, will present the Award Ceremony of the Empress Theophano Prize.

Additionally, the Governing and the Advisory Councils of the Theophano Foundation, chaired by Mr Stavros Andreadis and President Herman Count Van Rompuy respectively, intend to launch – for the first time this year – the Theophano Round Table, a panel discussion on a topic of international importance that will be related to and inspired by each year’s award. This initiative seeks to create a dynamic forum of discussion around critical issues regarding the future of Europe. This year’s event will take place on Thursday the 14th of October, under the title Securing Future Wellbeing Through Science and focusing on themes related to science for the Common Good, science and innovation in Europe, science and competitiveness, science and education, and science and healthy living.

Since its establishment, the Empress Theophano Foundation has set the goal of rewarding individuals and organisations for their impact to the understanding and strengthening of the contemporary European Idea, and their contribution to the social good, to welfare and to the improvement of lives. The start was made in 2020, with the inaugural prize and its focus on Education. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, accepted the first Theophano Prize on behalf of an institution that strengthens mobility, cooperation, and mutual understanding of the younger generations of Europeans: the ERASMUS Student Exchange Programme. Continuing its course into a second year, the Empress Theophano Prize aims to be established, year by year, as a notable means of highlighting the contribution of organisations and individuals in our mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as in facing the challenges of contemporary era within the European framework and beyond.

INFORMATION: Vicky Papadimitriou, Project Coordination | E: info@theophano.eu | T: +30 6937 229858

The award ceremony will take place with the kind support of:

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EMPRESS THEOPHANO

Empress Theophano, who inspired this prize, is a historic figure of Europe who played a significant role in its development during the 10^th century.

The niece of Emperor John I Tzimiskes, she married Otto II and was crowned Holy Roman Empress as his wife.  Following his death, she maintained the title of Empress. Her historic presence in Western Europe, dedicated to improving relations between East and West, offered a positive contribution to the cultural renaissance of western European territories, introducing to the west the central role women had in Byzantine society and transferring significant influence from the flourishing Byzantine empire in the fields of education, the arts, commerce, and health, while working to advance civil governance, promoting it over the military.

Empress Theophano is buried at the Cathedral of St Pantaleon in Cologne, Germany.

THE ROTUNDA MONUMENT

The emblematic monument of Thessaloniki, was constructed in the early 4th century AD, on the turning point between the pagan with the Christian world, probably as a temple for ancient cult worship or as a mausoleum for Constantine the Great (306-337). This circular, domed building measures 29.80 meters in height, 24.50 meters in diameter, its walls are 6.30 meters thick and can only be compared architecturally to the Pantheon in Rome. Not long after it was built and during the early years of the long-lived Byzantine Empire (330-1453), the Rotunda was turned into a Christian church with the addition of a sanctuary on its eastern side. The interior was decorated with Early Byzantine (4th- 6th c. AD) wall mosaics of unique artistry and beauty. It was Thessaloniki’s cathedral church (metropolis) between 1524 and 1591, the year in which it was converted to a mosque by the Ottoman conquerors. It remained in use as a mosque until the city’s liberation in 1912. Its dedication since that time to Saint George (Agios Georgios) is owing to the small neighboring church of this name. The mosaic decoration of the Rotunda is a masterpiece of Late Antique art.

Text source: http://galeriuspalace.culture.gr/en/monuments/rotonta/