2009-11-01 17:55:03 -

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/01/09 -- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond concluded their State visit to Greece by donating 1500 trees on behalf of Canada to revitalize Olympia.



To this end, Their Excellencies planted a tree in the heart of the city of Olympia as a symbolic gift expressing Canadian friendship and solidarity with the Greek people, who were particularly affected by the fires of summer 2007. The trees will be planted on a hillside behind the ancient Olympia archeological site.



"It was here that the Olympic torch was lit according to tradition and then handed over to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games at a ceremony in the stadium in Athens. So it was here that the Olympic flame began its long journey to Canada. It is therefore in the spirit of solidarity that we are giving trees in Olympia, because we have not forgotten the devastating wildfires that ravaged south Peloponnese in 2007," stated the Governor General following her meeting with Olympia's mayor, His Worship Georgios Aidonis.



During their visit to the Hellenic Republic, the Governor General and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond met with Their Excellencies Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic, and May Papoulia, first lady of the Hellenic Republic, and attended with them the official ceremony of the passing of the Olympic torch to the Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.



The Governor General listened to Greek youth during a Dialogue at which Greek young people and representatives of the Canadian delegation expressed ways young Canadians and Greeks are making positive changes within their communities and society in general. His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond hosted a discussion on the world of culture as part of an Art Matters forum in which the delegates also took part.



For photos and videos of the State visit to Greece, visit www.gg.ca : www.gg.ca .



To read the blogs of the Governor General and Canadian delegates, visit www.citizenvoices.gg.ca : www.citizenvoices.gg.ca .

Contacts:
Rideau Hall Press Office
Julie Rocheleau
613-998-7280
www.gg.ca : www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca : www.citizenvoices.gg.ca