Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I feel honoured to invite you to the 6th European Botanic Gardens Congress, which is being held in Chios, Greece, an island with a living history and beauty.

This Congress could play a vital role in our society, in order to confront any challenges in the era of biodiversity loss over the next decade. Having in mind the European crisis and that from now on everybody should think “Green”, this congress is aiming at:  

1.promoting effective action in botanic gardens for plant conservation,  

2.strengthening the linkages amongst botanic gardens, research institutes, conservation networks and other stakeholders and  

3.enhancing botanic gardens as centres for sustainability, human well-being, environmental awareness and protection.

Our interactions and collaborations during the congress will take place in the fragrant, “Duchess” of the Aegean, Chios Island, where the history of thousands of years becomes part of everyday life; where Homer, the Father of Epic Poetry, wrote his manuscripts; where Delacroix “painted” heroism and martyrdom; where the biodiversity of East and West meets boosting the endemism of native plant species. The scent of Mastic, the lemon-blossom and jasmine will enchant you. The mansion-houses of Kambos, byzantine monuments, mediaeval villages built on rocks, churches and monasteries wait for you to discover them. The clear blue sea, the sun, the traditional food and the hospitality of local people will recompense you for your long trip.

The Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia is looking forward to welcome you to the EUROGARD VI to discover together answers to the substantial challenges of our changing world.

Eleni Maloupa, Ph.D
Chair of the EUROGARD VI Organizing Committee
Research Scientist, NAGREF
Head of the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia