Michail E. Patelis

Author Michail Patelis was born in Soufli in 1953. In 1970, he left high school and moved to Athens in search of better opportunities. While working in printing houses and hotels, he attended night school. In 1975, after completing his military service, he was hired by the Public Power Corporation (DEI), where he continues to work as a technician. Since 1980, he has been collecting folklore, historical, photographic, and archival material. The DEI office in Soufli serves as a small folklore museum. Michail Patelis's public presence can be chronologically outlined as follows: - Spring 1994: His book "Soufli, a Journey to the Past" is published. - Fall 1994: He participates with archival material in a National Bank exhibition titled "Refugees in Evros." - Spring 1998: He presents archival material in Alexandroupoli on the topic "Merchants of Alexandroupoli, 1920-1924." - Winter 1998: He presents photographic material in Soufli with the theme "In Praise of Soufli." - Summer 1999: He presents photographic material in Dadia focusing on Soufli and Dadia.