No. 36

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted Mr. Averof Neophytou, President of the Democratic Rally (Disy) Party in Cyprus for a visit to Hellenic House on June 4th. 

“We were pleased to welcome Mr. Neophytou to the Hellenic House,” President Larigakis said. “We thank him for taking time from his busy schedule to visit with us and to discuss issues affecting Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean.”

Mr. Konstantinos Polykarpou, Consul at the Cypriot Embassy to the United States also attended the meeting. 

No. 35

WASHINGTON, DC —A delegation from the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) successfully completed the organization’s annual leadership trip to Greece and Cyprus where it held substantive meetings with high-ranking government officials with the purpose of strengthening relations and addressing issues of mutual interest.  The six-day trip occurred May 13 to 18, 2018.

“We had a very productive series of high-visibility meetings in Greece and Cyprus,” President Nick Larigakis said.  “We accomplished the objectives we set out to achieve, and the briefings we received on issues of importance to the Greek American community were insightful and informative. We thank all of the leaders who took the time to meet with us to discuss these very important issues.” 

Cyprus

The AHI delegation received multiple briefings from Cypriot and American officials on the Cyprus problem; Cyprus’ efforts to explore for hydrocarbon reserves in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and on Cypriot commerce and tourism sectors.  In addition, there were discussions about raising awareness in the United States of the Missing Cypriots issue.  All throughout the delegation’s meetings in Cyprus, AHI was commended for its past advocacy and current steadfast efforts to keep the Cyprus issue highly visible with key policymakers in the Obama administration and in the U.S. Congress.

During its stay in Cyprus, May 13 to 15, the delegation met with: U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Kathleen Doherty, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides, Minister of Defense Savvas Angelides, President of the House of Representatives Demetris Syllouris, Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, the chief negotiator for settlement talks; Fotis Fotiou, commissioner to the Presidency for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots; His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II, Dr. Stelios Nicolaides, director, Hydrocarbons Service, Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry, and Tourism; and Lt. General Ilias Leontaris, chief of the National Guard General Staff, who also hosted a dinner for the delegation at the Officers Club.

 “Our meetings provided us with an update on the prospects for restarting the settlement talks,” Larigakis said. “Of course, Turkey must abandon its demand to retain its guarantor power, remove its 40,000 illegally-staged troops, and cease its provocations, if a just and viable solution for all Cypriots is to be reached” 

Greece

The AHI delegation visited Athens May 16 to 18, 2018.  In addition to briefings with ministry officials, the itinerary included the 14th Annual AHI Athens Hellenic Heritage Achievement and Public Service Awards Dinner at the Grand Bretagne Hotel, May 18 (see news release).

“Our meetings covered a broad range of issue topics under the scope of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Greece in addition to Greece’s role in the region,” Larigakis said.  “We also explored ways in which the Greek American community can strengthen cooperation and enhance relations between Greece and the United States.”

The delegation met Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Terens Quick, Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development at the Ministry of Tourism George Tziallas, and Minister of State for Coordinating Government Operations Alekos Flambouraris.  The delegation also met with President of New Democracy party Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

AHI Delegation Participants 

On the trip, AHI President Nick Larigakis was accompanied by: AHI Board Secretary Kostas Alexakis, Esq., AHI Board Member Leon Andris, AHI-New York President Louis Katsos and AHI Legislative Director Peter Milios. AHI Board Treasurer Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., who also serves as volunteer counsel, joined the delegation in Athens.

No. 34

The Fourteenth Annual AHI-Athens Hellenic Heritage Achievement and Public Service Awards Dinner was held at The Grande Bretagne hotel in Athens on May 18, 2018.

The two honorees who each received the Hellenic Heritage Public Service Award were Dr. Panagiotis Behrakis and the Hellenic Armed Forces, represented by Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis.

AHI recognized Dr. Behrakis for his tireless efforts to combat tobacco usage in the youth of Greece and the Hellenic Armed Forces for its illustrious achievements throughout history in the defense of Greece’s sovereignty, their defense and promotion of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and their commitment to defense cooperation with the United States and NATO.  

Ilias Malevitis, president, AHI-Greece, welcomed the audience. George C. Economou, president, AHI-Athens Chapter, provided greetings.

Ambassador Pyatt: AHI provides “immeasurable help”

U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt provided opening remarks about the strong relationship between the United States and Greece.  Ambassador Pyatt also thanked AHI “for its long history of advocating for Greece and Greek Americans.”  He added that AHI’s advocacy “strengthens the U.S. government and the profound partnership and friendship between our two countries.”

Ambassador Pyatt remarked: “You have been of immeasurable help over the past couple of months in facilitating some of the most important moments in the bilateral ties between our two countries. Nick [Larigakis] was actually one of the very first representatives of the diaspora community who I had the pleasure to meet two years ago when I was getting ready for this job and also paid an important role in Prime Minister Tsipras visit to Washington last October. In particular, Nick, I want to thank you for enriching Admiral Apostolakis’ schedule during his recent visit to the United States which was extremely successful in highlighting the close relationships between our military leaders and the great scope for deepening that cooperation.”

AHI President Nick Larigakis also addressed the audience.  He highlighted the objectives of AHI’s annual trip to Greece and Cyprus and updated the audience regarding how AHI programs are successful in keeping the Greek American community’s policy issues at the forefront of policymakers in Washington as well as how AHI programs help to promote Hellenic heritage and support the Greek American community.

President Larigakis also commended the evening’s honorees. He stated Dr. Behrakis has performed remarkable work to improve the public health of Greece’s youth population through public awareness and advocacy campaigns to combat tobacco use. Larigakis also lauded the Hellenic Armed Forces for its storied history, dating back to antiquity with history-changing battles at Thermopylae and Salamis, to the struggle for Independence, to World War II and Korea, to present-day efforts to provide security and counterterrorism as a dependable NATO member.

In acceptance, the honorees conveyed their appreciation to AHI and to those who helped them to reach certain milestones in their lives.  Each shared their career experiences and personal stories with the audience.

Admiral Apostolakis acknowledged the overall contribution and cooperation of AHI toward the promotion of relations between the United States and Greece.  Furthermore, he commented the award does not reflect personally on him, but to all the personnel of the Hellenic Armed Forces—active and retired.  He pinpointed the men and women of the Hellenic Armed Forces as the key force multiplier, underlining the excellent level of training and professionalism as well as their high morale.

Regarding the role of the Hellenic Armed Forces in the wider area of the Eastern Mediterranean, he emphasized its significant impact in providing stability which are achieved mainly through the formation of bilateral and multilateral schemes of military cooperation. Furthermore, he highlighted the multilayered support the Hellenic Armed Forces provides in areas of disaster response and relief, firefighting, medevac and others.

In acceptance, Dr. Behrakis stated, “It is a great honor to receive the AHI award of 2018.”  He also provided an overview of the work that he and his team created in their efforts to prevent the consumption of tobacco in Greece’s youth over the past decade.

“Smoking prevalence in Greece has declined and it is now very close to the European average,” he said. “Consumption of tobacco has also decreased by 50 percent in the past decade and most importantly the Greek public has changed it attitude towards smoking.”

Dr. Behrakis has created a scientific based practice of approaching youth and tobacco prevention without using negative imagery or fear tactics.

“The award of today is dedicated to George Behrakis, the philanthropist from Boston,” he stated in his closing remarks.  “A man who has been generously funding our work for the last ten years. Without him nothing would have happened.”

Musical interludes were provided throughout the evening by the Light Orchestra of the Hellenic Navy Band, led by Lieutenant Commander Georgios Tsilbaris. Olga Bournozi of Capital Link served exceptionally as Master of Ceremonies. In addition to AHI-Greece President Ilias Malevitis, and AHI-Athens Chapter President George Economou, president, AHI Members Katerina Papathanassiou, Sylvia Gavalla. Special thanks to Vasileios Kyriazis, Rear Admiral (ret.) H.N. who provided guidance throughout the event and AHI Member George Mermelas for his public relations support. Both contributed greatly to the dinner’s success. 

“We are delighted this special event, now in its fourteenth year, has grown to new heights,” Larigakis said. “We would like to thank the AHI-Athens Chapter for its hard work as well as to our generous benefactors and sponsors.” 

Thank You To Our Sponsors:

14th Annual Athens Dinner Journal 

Photos from the Event:

World Renown Singer Anastasia Zannis to perform the National Anthem

No. 33

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is proud to announce that Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Back Chris Maragos, Greek American, and member of the Super Bowl LII Championship team, will throw out the First Pitch at the Fifth Annual Greek Heritage Night held in cooperation with Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, June 13, 2018, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Maragos is a nine-year NFL veteran and has played for the Philadelphia Eagles as a defense back and special teams specialist since 2014. He is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, having also been a member of the 2013 Seattle Seahawks team that won Super Bowl XLVIII. Maragos is a native of Racine, Wisconsin and played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin.

AHI also is proud to announce that world renown Crossover Classical Singer Anastasia Zannis will perform the National Anthem.  Zannis has performed on the international stage at the world’s premiere venues, including: Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, Herodus Atticus Theater, Teatro Argentina in Rome, and Keyaki Hall in Tokyo.  She has had the honor to perform the Olympic Anthem, and the National Anthems of the United States and Greece, for special events, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  A career highlight for Zannis was when she was selected to perform for former President Bill Clinton in New York City.

“It promises to be a special evening at the ballpark,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “We invite the community of the tri-state Philadelphia area to attend and spend it with us.”

The Philadelphia Phillies will take on the Colorado Rockies. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

The Phillies has created a unique landing page for the AHI Phillies Greek Heritage Celebration.  Please visit https://www.mlb.com/phillies/tickets/specials/greek-heritage to purchase tickets.  Great seats still available.