Lydia Potamianou-Carras studied Sociology at the Sorbonne, followed by postgraduate studies in Byzantine civilization in London 1981-83, M.A.Thesis “St. Athanasia of Aigina”, published by Association for Byzantine Studies 1984 University of Sydney.
In 1972 she co-founded with Costa Carras, the Hellenic Society for Heritage and Environment (ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ Περιβάλλοντος και Πολιτισμού) and has served the environment ‘s and conservation cause ever since.
Lydia Potamianou-Carras played a leading role in the hard 8 years (1974-82) battle for the saving of the historic neighbourhood of Plaka in Athens, a battle that was won contributed “Athens Plaka” in Protection and animation of historic towns Europe, German commission for Unesco 1980.
As part of the London Cyprus Relief Fund, she organized the financial adoption of Cypriot refugee children in 1974-75
As president of the Hellenic Cultural Center (1992-94), in London, she was responsible for the celebrations of the 2500 years since the birth of Democracy, in collaboration with the British Parliament, when a copy of the ancient Trireme sailed up the Thames, to the House of Parliament with the participation of thousands of people.
She has produced and directed 15 documentary films which won international awards.
The sale in the USA of «Sinai God Trodden Mountain» financed the restoration of the 13th cent frescoes of the medieval refectory of the Monastery.
«Sir Steven Runciman: Bridge to the East» won α Chicago Film Festival award 1987, and was selected as best film on Byzantium for the London Royal Academy exhibition.
«The Song of the Monk Seal» and « Beyond the Βarbed Wires» won European Union awards.
« Voice of the Aegean» best film for Nature, European Heritage, Film Festival 2005.
« My Life and Times- Michael Cacoyannis» was selected for the opening ceremony of the Thessaloniki Film Festival 2009 and has been screened in Festivals among them Rome and Edinburg.
“Dry Stone Walls – Supports of the Aegean” was shown in Festivals like
Medi Med Barcelona and around the world.
Editor of and contributor to the publication «Ευάλωτη Γη- Fragile Earth» Pataki 2008.
Artistic Director for the 2500th anniversary celebration of the battle of Marathon on the site of the Tumulus.
Conceived « Μan and Nature- from Homer to Elytis» Herodion Theater 2013 (50th Anniversary of Europa Nostra)
2015 wrote and curated the exhibition «Marathon Cultural Landscape» at Unesco in Paris,
In 2009 won an Academy of Athens award for her “life΄s work on Films, Heritage and Environment”.
As current President of Elliniki Etairia, she chairs the ATHENS HUB, coordinating on behalf of Europa Nostra matters of Heritage and Environment for the Region of the Southern Balkans, Turkey and the Caucasus.