NO. 108

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) presented the mayors of Sparta and Lamia with 2020 AHI Hellenic Heritage Guardians of Hellenism Awards to commemorate the 2,500-year anniversary of the Battle of Thermopylae. AHI intended to present the awards at the 2020 AHI Annual Hellenic Heritage and Public Service Awards Dinner, but the gala was cancelled due to the pandemic.

“We are pleased to finally be able to properly commemorate the anniversary of such a significant event in world history, one that preserved Western Civilization, and a battle that demonstrated sacrifice, bravery, and patriotism that is still studied by military scholars and strategists to this very day,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.

AHI President Nick Larigakis visited Sparta and presented Mayor Petros Doukas with the AHI Hellenic Heritage Award on November 29, 2021. Mayor Doukas presented President Larigakis with a commemorative scroll commending him for his work to promote United States relations with Greece.

“I was very surprised by the honor from Mayor Doukas, and I am deeply thankful for the recognition,” Larigakis said.

President Larigakis also visited Lamia to present Mayor Efthymios Karaiskos with the AHI Hellenic Heritage Guardian of Hellenism Award on November 26, 2021. AHI-Athens Vice President Vasileios Kyriazis accompanied AHI President Larigakis on both trips.

The American Hellenic Institute is a non-profit Greek American public policy center and think tank that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.