The 2025 Argo Awards ceremony took place in a packed hall at the Academy of Athens, celebrating Diaspora Greeks who have excelled in their respective fields. The event, held under the auspices of the International Association ARGO – Network of Greeks in Brussels, drew a distinguished audience that included the former President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and Minister of State Akis Skertsos.

Established to honor Greeks abroad who embody excellence and promote Hellenic values on the world stage, the Argo Awards recognize achievements that inspire younger generations, strengthen Greece’s global connections, and highlight the success of its citizens beyond national borders.

This year’s award for Science went to Lia Merminga, a leading physicist and former director of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in the United States. In the Humanitarian Contribution category, journalist and broadcaster Alexandra Pascalidou, who has built a prominent career in Sweden, was recognized for her advocacy and public engagement.

The Entrepreneurship Award was presented to Alkiviadis Thomas, founder and owner of ALTHOM, while Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, a pioneering figure in American biotechnology and co-founder and CEO of IRRAS and Shoreline Biosciences was honored with the Innovation Award.

In the field of Culture and Arts, Evgenia Kotanidi, a Greek from Georgia, was acknowledged with the distinction for her lifelong efforts to preserve the heritage and memory of the Greek minority in her country. The Gastronomy Award went to Dimitrios Moudios, owner of two acclaimed restaurants in Thailand, while in the field of Sport Konstantinos Karetsas, a rising star with Belgium’s Genk football club and a member of Greece’s national team was honored with an award.

Finally, the Public Service Award was given to Manolis Kostidis a veteran journalist and correspondent in Istanbul, for his contributions to public discourse and cross-border understanding.

Presenting the awards, former President Sakellaropoulou praised the winners for their achievements, calling their success “an extension of creative Greece beyond its borders.” In an emotional moment, she paid tribute to her late friend, the beloved Greek musician and songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos, quoting one of his most famous lines: “Greeks create circuits and history through their friendships.” The audience responded with a prolonged and heartfelt applause.

The Argo Awards, described by organizers as both a “policy think tank” and a “business do-tank,” continue to serve as a bridge between Greece and its global community—celebrating those who carry their heritage proudly while shaping the future through excellence, creativity, and connection.