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CommunityGreek American Literary Societies an Outstanding Greek Independence Day Celebration

Greek American Literary Societies an Outstanding Greek Independence Day Celebration

Hellenic News of America
Hellenic News of Americahttps://www.hellenicnews.com
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By Catherine Tsounis

“Ancient Greek authors opened their writing by asking for the aid of Erato, muse of Lyric poetry and hymns,”- Athenians” Society of New York 2023 program.

“We are having an important Book Exposition of writers,” said Maria Andreola Paleos, General Secretary at The Greek Writers Guild of America with community activist Maria Vartholomeos at the Transfiguration Church coffee hour in Mattituck, Long Island, New York. They sent me an invitation to this literary event.

The Athenians’ Society of New York in collaboration with the Greek Writers Guild of America and the Hellenic American Project of Queens College presented “The 4th Exposition of the Hellenic Writers of the Diaspora on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The event was held at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, NY. The 4th Book Exposition was held in commemoration of  Greek Independence Day of March 25th, 1821. Writers and poets of Greek American society travelled from American communities with one purpose: to revel to all their writings and poems that is part of their soul.

Speaker Mrs. Athena Tsokou Kromidas, President of the High Council for Greek Education,
of New York. Photo by Catherine Tsounis

The Program included : Welcome, Moderator Fani Pagoulatou; Konstantinos Konstantinou, Consul General of Greece; Guest Speaker Mrs. Athena Tsokou Kromidas, President of the High Council for Greek Education of New York “Demetrios Vikelas, Loukis Laras: The Beginning of the Modern Moral Novel”, Guest Speaker Dr. Nicholas Alexiou, “Poetry and the Hellenic American Diaspora”; Poets and Authors, Avgi Atmatzidou, Nikos Zavolas, Vana Kontomerkou, Maria Micheles, Tasos Mouzakis, Sevi Boutos, Maria Nikolis, Gabriel Panagiosoulis, Aspa Trigonis, Maria Tsaroucha, Ioustini Frangouli; Musical Performance, Musical Director of Cyprus New York Productions Phyto Stratis, Ariadni Anna, Aggeliki Psonu, Alexandros Darna, Tasos Karydis, Glafkos Kontemeniotis, Kostas Psaros,  Athena Adamopoulos; Award Presentation, Honoring Tasos Mouzakis, Reception.

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The following persons worked behind the scenes: Thanasis Tzouvelis, Theater Light and Sound Director; Grammaticus Macedon, Ooster Graphics and Video; Schema Enterprises corp., Layout; Sylvia Adamopoulos, Program Editor; Athenians’ Society Inc. Executive Board: Panos Adamopoulos, President; Tasos Mouzakis, Vice President; Aylvia Adamopoulos, General Secretary; Stelios Stroumbakis, AssistantSecretary; Andreas Kontomerkos, Treasurer; Board Members, Pavlos Hatzikyriakos, Dora Lagos, Ilias Neofotistos,  Iro Plakogianni, Alternate Board Members, Fani Pagoulatou, Marianthi Papafrangou; Advisor Vana Kontomerkou. This is an incomplete list. For more information, email [email protected]

Speaker Dr. Nicholas Alexiou, Director of the Hellenic American Project, at Queens College, CUNY. Photo by Catherine Tsounis

“Demetrios Vikelas, Greek businessman, was the first President of the International Olympic Committee,” said Mrs. Tsokou Kromidas. “He was a during literature of his time. He translated Shakespeare into Greek. His main literary work was ‘Loukis Laras.’ He left his library to the city of Heraklion, Crete,  founding the Vikelaia Municipal Library. His island of Syros has honored him with a Sports Center and the Syros Island National Airport.”

“I am a poet,” said Dr. Nicholas Alexiou. “ I see life differently. We must acknowledge the literary work of our Greek Americans. History of the Greek American experience not taught in schools. Our children must learn from young our contribution to poetry and writings.” Dr. Alexiou read the poetry of various Greek American poets. He has established the first Oral History Archive for the Greeks of New York. As Director of the Hellenic American Project, at Queens College, CUNY, he has established an amazing library of Greek Americans. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese system should use this unique source of Greek learning in America. Dr. Alexiou has established an amazing oral library. He gathers sources on Greek Americans with a dedication seldom seen. During the reception, Dr. Alexiou informed me my three books entitled “The Greek American Experience” was in his library. For more information, contact [email protected]

Athenian’s Society of New York President Panos Adamopoulos presenting an award to Tasos Mouzakis, outstanding Greek American writer. Photo by Catherine Tsounis

The Hellenic American Project (HAP), Department of Sociology, Queens College, CUNY, is a nonprofit program that documents the Hellenic American presence in the United States from the first wave of mass immigration in 1900 to the present. HAP operates as a research facility, archive, Greek American Library, museum, and event space.

“Greek  language is our soul,” said  Consul General of Greece Konstantinos Konstantinou. “I was raised in Athens and feel a great love of her. Greek American writers are outstanding. We must encourage Greek language literature for the next generation and to persons of all backgrounds who are inspired by Greek American literature and poetry. Congratulations to the writer and poets for their dedication to their craft.”

Tasos Mouzakis was given an exceptional Honorary plague as vice president of the Athenian’s Society of New York and President of the Greek American Writers League. Watching Greek American singers sing with passion “Saranta Palikaria” and ”Dance of Zalongo”, of the women of Souli jumping off the cliff to avoid slavery after all the men were killed, made an impression on the audience. Seeing our Greek American youth singing Greek Revolutionary songs gives us hope that the next generation will remember the cost of FREEDOM by the Greek nation. Ms. Athena Adamopoulos concluded the musical program with an aggressive, spirited style rarely seen on the piano.

The program listing the songs, biographies of poets, writers, board members, donors and all who worked for this event was outstanding. “The Board and the designated Committee worked enthusiastically,” said President Panos Adamopoulos. “At a time when the need for spiritual sustenance is in its zenith and Hellenism Is constantly tested, our Society makes its presence felt among the Greeks of the Diaspora by presenting to the Omogenia these meaningful cultural events.

Persons enjoying event Mrs. Vagelatos (left to right), Maria Andreola Paleos, General Secretary at The Greek Writers Guild of America, Sevi Boutos, writer/poet with fellow poet. Photo by Catherine Tsounis

The reception was a time of pleasant socializing, with community activists such as Mrs. Stroumbakis, Mrs. Anna Noti, Mrs. Maria Carvelas, Dr. John and Emily Antonopoulos and members of mainstream Greek-American society. The food was excellent with wine and coffee for free. Everyone left happy, wanting to come to the next Athenians’ Society Book Exposition.

The copyrights for these articles are owned by the Hellenic News of America. They may not be redistributed without the permission of the owner. The opinions expressed by our authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hellenic News of America and its representatives.

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