The MYTHOS Gala & Awards once again confirmed its position as one of the most important and iconic artistic and philanthropic events worldwide, bringing together personalities of international stature for an evening of unparalleled luxury, strict aristocratic protocol, and refined aesthetics. The glamorous ceremony took place on November 29 at the historic Palazzo Colonna in Rome—one of the oldest and most imposing palaces in Europe—which opened its doors exceptionally and exclusively for MYTHOS.
The evening was dedicated to two timeless legends of global art, born on the same day: Maria Callas and Gianni Versace, symbols of excellence, cultural heritage, and worldwide influence.
The event was held under the auspices of the Italian Olympic & Paralympic Committee and was organized by the President and Founder of MYTHOS, Ioanna Efthimiou, an internationally acclaimed visual artist and visionary creator.
With her unwavering commitment to promoting art as a universal language of culture and humanitarianism, Ioanna Efthimiou has transformed MYTHOS into a prestigious institution where artistic excellence meets philanthropy, diplomacy, and international dialogue. Under her leadership, MYTHOS has already secured a prominent position on the global cultural map.
The MYTHOS Gala & Awards once again confirmed its position as one of the most important and iconic artistic and philanthropic events worldwide, bringing together personalities of international stature for an evening of unparalleled luxury, strict aristocratic protocol, and refined aesthetics. The glamorous ceremony took place on November 29 at the historic Palazzo Colonna in Rome—one of the oldest and most imposing palaces in Europe—which opened its doors exceptionally and exclusively for MYTHOS.
The evening was dedicated to two timeless legends of global art, born on the same day: Maria Callas and Gianni Versace, symbols of excellence, cultural heritage, and worldwide influence.
The event was held under the auspices of the Italian Olympic & Paralympic Committee and was organized by the President and Founder of MYTHOS, Ioanna Efthimiou, an internationally acclaimed visual artist and visionary creator.
With her unwavering commitment to promoting art as a universal language of culture and humanitarianism, Ioanna Efthimiou has transformed MYTHOS into a prestigious institution where artistic excellence meets philanthropy, diplomacy, and international dialogue. Under her leadership, MYTHOS has already secured a prominent position on the global cultural map.
The organization was carried out in close collaboration with Princess Olimpia Colonna, guardian of the palace’s historic heritage, while Honorary Ambassador of the institution is the distinguished lawyer and philanthropist Theodora Michaloliakou, whose stature, international presence, and long-standing social action significantly enhance the global reach of MYTHOS.
The evening was presented by Theodora Michaloliakou together with the renowned Italian journalist and actress Claudia Conte, lending the ceremony a high level of eloquence, elegance, and international glamour.
During the awards ceremony, outstanding figures from the fields of art, politics, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and culture were honored—individuals whose work and careers exert substantial influence on a global level.
A special distinction was awarded to the United States Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who received the Inspirational Woman of the Year and Philhellenic Excellence Award. In her historically significant speech, she referred to the strategic strengthening of U.S.–Greece relations, emphasizing that “relations between the two countries are entering the best period in their history.”
Equally significant was the award presented to HRH Princess Al Joharah bint Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who received the Innovation in Entrepreneurship Award, in recognition of her international vision, entrepreneurial activity, and social contribution.
A particularly moving moment of the evening was the honorary distinction bestowed upon Giusy Versace, Paralympic athlete and founder of the organization Disabili No Limits, who received the “Brave Heart & Athlete of the Year” Award. The proceeds of the event were donated to her foundation, which provides modern prosthetics and mobility aids to people with disabilities, with special focus on those facing financial hardship.
Among the other award recipients were:
The artistic dimension of the evening featured renowned visual artists Ilian Rachov, Marcos Marin, Makis Koulianos, B. Zarro, and Angeliki Mavridou.
The official agenda included a private guided tour of the palace’s historic spaces, the inauguration of an exhibition featuring rare works from Gianni Versace’s personal collection curated by collector Antonio Caravano, the awards ceremony, a fine-dining gala dinner, an opera concert, and a philanthropic art auction.
The official dinner was held in the private hall of Pope Martin V, within the historic Hall of the Cardinals, further enhancing the unique symbolism and historical depth of the evening.
With a history spanning over eight centuries and crowned by the legendary Galleria Colonna, Palazzo Colonna provided the ideal setting for an event that reaffirmed that the MYTHOS Gala & Awards is not merely a glamorous evening, but a global cultural institution—where art, philanthropy, and high society coexist with absolute respect for protocol, history, and cultural heritage.