Some of the most prestigious events to honour Dr Pap, were held on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great Cytologist on 1983, a year that was named : “ The Papanicolaou Year ”.
“The events of Papanicolaou year began yesterday,” wrote the newspaper “Acropolis” on May 14, 1983.
“In the evening” , the newspaper continued, “the President of the Republic Mr Kon. Karamanlis gave a reception in the Presidential Palace in honor of participatings Greek and foreign scholars”.
In the morning another ceremony was held at the Academy of Athens, in which the Prime Minister Mr. Andr. Papandreou was present. The event was also attended by the Archbishop of Athens, Mr Seraphim, the President of the Greek Parliament, Mr Ioan. Alevras, the leader of the main opposition Ev. Averoff, the Ministers of Culture and Sciences Mrs Merkouri, of Education Mr. Kaklamanis and of Research and Technology Mr Lianis, the Deputy Ministers of Education Moralis and Papathemelis and other Greek and foreign officials, who came to Athens to commemorate the great scientist. The commencement of the celebration was announced by the Minister of Culture and Science, Melina Merkouri.
Following brief addresses by the president and the general secretary of the Academy of Athens Mr. Palantios and C. Trypanis, Professor N. Louros, Professor of Foreign Universities and International Research Centers for Cancer, Mr. Cameron, Wild, Mashimbuzi and Brooks made also short speeches on Dr Pap’s life.
At the end of the ceremony, the Prime Minister inaugurated the G. Papanicolaou Memorial Photographic Exhibition, which was running in the Academy of Athens.
The events are to be continued today with a ceremony at the University of Athens and will be terminated tomorrow, with a pilgrimage visit to Kymi, the birthplace of Dr. Papanicolaou”.