No. 61

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a noon forum presentation to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the Smyrna Catastrophe in Asia Minor that featured Professor Alexander Kitroeff, assistant professor, Department of History, Haverford College, Oct. 10, 2018, at Hellenic House. 

“Sadly, the tragic events of August and September 1922, where countless Greeks of Asia Minors were murdered, occurred during the era of the Armenian genocide and the broader genocidal campaign against Greeks, Pontians, Assyrians, and other Christian communities,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said during introductory remarks. “The once robust city of Smyrna, which at the time was a thriving center of Greek culture, was obliterated. The catastrophic events of 1922 are important to commemorate because they remind us of man’s continuing inhumanity to man.”

AHI Board Member James Marketos, Esq., introduced Professor Kitroeff.  The professor provided a multi-faceted perspective of the Smyrna Catastrophe during his presentation. He positioned the Smyrna Catastrophe as a crucial historical junction point and as an incident undergirded by multiple systemic factors. Furthermore, Professor Kitroeff effectively debunked conspiracies by a certain segment of the Turkish intelligentsia who believe that Greek troops set Smyrna on fire.  To illustrate his point, the professor provided a specific timeline delineating when Greek troops left the city of Smyrna and when Turkish troops entered to show the deliberate and genocidal nature of the massacre of innocent, non-combatant Greeks in the city. He further buttressed this point by explaining how the Jewish and Muslim quarters of the city were left nearly untouched. Furthermore, Professor Kitroeff juxtaposed the historical importance of this tragedy with its understated presence in the modern-day public conscience. Professor Kitroeff, who is concerned about crucial events such as Smyrna being relegated to parenthetical status in the 21st century, discussed the need to promote Greek history not only to the general population, but to the Greek American community as well.

Following Professor Kitroeff’s presentation, President Larigakis moderated a Q&A session and offered closing remarks. 

About Professor Alexander Kitroeff

Professor Alexander Kitroeff is noted particularly for producing several seminal works on Greek American identity, including books and documentaries. For his scholarly excellence and innovative approach, Professor Kitroeff is the recipient of research grants from the Jaharis Family Foundation and the Niarchos Foundation.

No. 60

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) welcomed Greece’s Defense Minister Panos Kammenos to AHI’s Hellenic House, where he met with AHI representatives, October 10, 2018.

“We are at a very important moment in the friendship of the U.S.-Greece relationship, and I have to thank [AHI],” Defense Minister Kammenos told the group. “Without you it would be impossible.”

“We appreciated the opportunity to host Defense Minister Kammenos at Hellenic House,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “The defense minister briefed us about his visit to Washington, which included a meeting with Secretary of Defense James Mattis.  Secretary Mattis’ recognition of Greece’s vital role to maintain security in the region is further testament to the ever-strengthening defense relationship between the United States and Greece.”

Larigakis added, “We also thank Defense Minister Kammenos for his support for the work of the American Hellenic Institute, especially our efforts to make the U.S.-Greece defense relationship a key aspect of the policy agenda in Washington.”

According to a Department of Defense readout, Secretary Mattis reaffirmed the longstanding defense relationship between the two countries, and he thanked Greece for its continued support of United States basing at NSA Souda Bay.  Secretary Mattis also “praised” Greece for its commitment to NATO’s defense spending minimum standard and for Greece’s signing of a $1.5 billion upgrade to its F-16 fighter jets.

Defense Minister Kammenos’ visit to Washington also included meetings at the U.S. Department of State. 

Several dignitaries accompanied Defense Minister Kammenos to Hellenic House, including: Ambassador Eleftherios Karayannis, director of Diplomatic Office of the Defense Minister; Lt. Gen. Theologos Symeonidis, (retired, Hellenic Air Force), director of the Defense Minister’s Office; Captain Timothy Ketter, United States Navy, U.S. Defense attaché in Athens; Col. Vasileios Lampropoulos, Defense & Military attaché of Greece to the U.S.; and Mr. Ilias Kammenos.

In addition to President Larigakis, AHI Board of Directors Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq., Leon Andris, Dr. Athina Balta, Esq., and James L. Marketos, Esq. attended the meeting.

AHI Hosts Vice President of New Democracy Party for Dinner

No. 59

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a private dinner for Adonis Georgiadis, who is the vice president for New Democracy Party, September 26, 2018 at the Kingbird Restaurant, Watergate Hotel.

According to AHI President Nick Larigakis, the dinner focused on informing Vice President Georgiadis on the current work of the American Hellenic Institute to help advocate for U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, and included a discussion on other areas of mutual interest.

“We appreciated the opportunity to host Mr. Georgiadis during his visit to Washington,” he said.

In addition to Mr. Georgiadis and AHI President Larigakis, AHI Board Members Dr. Athina Balta, Esq., Nicholas G. Karambelas, Esq.; and James L. Marketos, Esq., attended the dinner.

Embassy of Greece’s New Defense Attaché Visits Hellenic House

WASHINGTON, DC —The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) welcomed Colonel Vasileios Lampropoulos, the Embassy of Greece’s new defense attaché, Hellenic House.

“We warmly welcome Colonel Lampropoulos to Washington and wish him success at his new post,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “We appreciated the opportunity to discuss the ever-strengthening defense cooperation between the United States and Greece and how AHI has made it an important part of our policy agenda in Washington.”

The discussion also focused on a how AHI keeps the broader policy issues impacting Greece on the agenda of policymakers and how AHI works on initiatives that serve to strengthen U.S. relations with Greece.  On defense cooperation, the discussion centered more on Greece’s military capabilities and the contributions of NSA Souda Bay to national security interests. 

No. 58

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) announces the appointment of retired Rear Admiral Vasileios Kyriazis to the position of Vice President of the AHI-Athens chapter.

Rear Admiral Kyriazis, a 1979 graduate of the Hellenic Naval Academy, served in the Hellenic Navy in combat positions for 32 years and retired in 2011 after obtaining the rank of Rear Admiral.  During his service in the Hellenic Navy, Kyriazis served in a variety of warships as a staff officer and commanding officer. He also served in staff and administrative positions in Greece and abroad, as a senior and flag officer, including at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium (2002-2003); and Naval attaché of the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C. (2006-2008)

“We are truly fortunate to have Rear Admiral Kyriazis serve the AHI-Athens chapter,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “His knowledge and expertise of Greece’s defense capabilities are an asset to our organization, especially as Greece’s security role in the region becomes increased.”

During his career, Rear Admiral Kyriazis was awarded with the Gold Cross of the Order of Phoenix, the Gold Cross of the Order of Merit, the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix, and the Commander of the Order of Merit. Additionally, He is a member of the International Propeller club of the United States, and a member of the Yacht Club of Greece.

Rear Admiral Kyriazis is married to Konstadina Kyriazis, and they have one son, Spyros, 32, and one daughter, Sofia.