Greece's most pivotal figure since ancient times is about to receive long-overdue recognition in the UK. A new biopic tells the story of Ioannis Kapodistrias, who spearheaded modern Greece's creation and left an indelible mark on European politics, yet remains a mystery even among Greeks 250 years after his birth.
Born on the strategic island of Corfu under Venetian rule in 1776, Kapodistrias climbed the ranks of the Russian diplomatic service to become joint foreign minister under Tsar Alexander I. Esteemed by European diplomats at the Congress of Vienna for his exceptional political acumen, Kapodistrias reportedly told the Tsar that he would choose Greece over Russia if forced to make a choice – an extraordinary declaration that highlights his unwavering dedication to his homeland.
After resigning from his influential Russian post following Greece's War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire, Kapodistrias spent years tirelessly promoting Greek interests on the European diplomatic circuit. Elected as Greece's first head of state in 1827, he returned to a nascent nation crippled by poverty and institutional chaos, famously declaring that "First we must make Hellenes, and then make Hellas" – underlining his conviction that building a strong nation requires a strong people.
Kapodistrias worked tirelessly to establish the foundations of the modern Greek state. He founded schools, introduced the Phoenix currency, established the judiciary, and even brought the potato to Greece to combat famine. His work ethic was said to be Herculean, with reports of him working from dawn till dusk every day. Yet, despite these foundational achievements, his legacy continues to be a subject of debate – some hail him as a founding father, while others portray him as an authoritarian figure.
His assassination in 1831 by rebel allies who had turned against him serves as a poignant reminder of the turbulent early years of Greek statehood. Jean-Gabriel Eynard, a Swiss philhellene, lamented that "He who murdered Kapodistrias murdered his homeland," reflecting the profound impact of his loss. Even today, the only museum dedicated to his memory – located at his former family home in Koukouritsa, Corfu – struggles with operational funding, underscoring the oft-forgotten status of this pivotal figure.