APR
2018
$4.95
President Trump Hosts Celebration for Celebration for Greek GreekIndependence Independence Greek TheWhite WhiteHouse House The White atatatThe
The Officers, Directors and Members of
The Hellenic American Association for Professionals in Finance wish the Community Happy Easter - Καλό Πάσχα and request the honor of your presence for our 36th Anniversary honoring
Mr. Daniel S. Janis, III Senior Managing Director & Senior Portfolio Manager, Manulife Asset Management (U.S.), LLC at the
2018 Executive of the Year Award Dinner Wednesday, June 13, 2018 Reception 6pm • Dinner 7pm The Union League Club of New York th 38 East 37 Street (between Park & Madison Avenues) New York, NY 10017 For additional information or questions, please please go to haba.org
FROM THE EDITOR
:: magazine FOUNDED IN 2005 BY Demetrios Rhompotis Dimitri Michalakis Kyprianos Bazenikas Publishing Committee Chairman Demetrios Rhompotis (718) 554-0308 dondemetrio@neomagazine.com Director of Operations Kyprianos Bazenikas info@neomagazine.com Marketing & Advertising Director Tommy Harmantzis (347) 613-4163 th@radioneo.us ATHENS - GREECE Public Relations & Marketing Director Rita Despotidis rdespotis@gmail.com NEO Magazine is published monthly by Neocorp Media Inc. P.O. Box 560105 College Point, NY 11356 Phone: (718) 554-0308 e-Fax: (718) 878-4448 info@neomagazine.com Check our website neomagazine.com
Holy Week For the most part I grew up in Brooklyn and I was an altar boy at two of its churches: Holy Cross and Kimisis. Kimisis was the older church on 18th Street and the one that most of my relatives attended before Holy Cross was built further uptown.
I would take the bus Sunday morning in my stiff Sunday suit and skinny tie and make the trip to the church to join the other boys in their stiff Sunday suits and skinny ties in the small anteroom next to the altar, where we giggled and shoved and acted like kids talking about important things to us like wrestling on TV (Bruno Sammartino was king in those days) and how the Knicks were doing (the Knicks of Frazier and Bradley and Willis Reed).
suddenly Greek Orthodox and the voice of the chanters and the priest drowned out the usual traffic. I became an altar boy at Holy Cross when the church was still whitewashed walls and most of the icons hadn’t been painted yet—except for the mural of a dour Christ under the dome. I remember going nights for prayer and instruction and spending time with friends. Night at church seemed to be something special and mystical, which is why Holy Week seemed to have a special mystery, particularly the singing of the hymns in communion with all the other souls in the church that evening: it seemed a primitive and profoundly moving experience—what the early Christians might have experienced. I stopped going to church as I got older, but I missed it and missed the rituals of Holy Week, and one night I went to Holy Cross by myself on Holy Tuesday, when the crowds had not yet massed for the big finale of the week. The church was nearly empty, just me and a few yiayiades, and I sat and stared up at the dome and the mural of Christ, dour and gesturing his blessing as always. I was a teenager and had the usual distress, but the calm of the church, the lull of the hymns, and the moments it afforded me of quiet reflection acted like a balm to my soul.
And then it was showtime: we would don our robes and become solemn little altar boys with parts in our hair and skinny ties showing over the collars of our robes and our eyes always staring forward. The hard part was staring forward at each other the whole time in the altar while the priest performed the rites and muttered the prayers. One time I couldn’t contain myself and started giggling at the altar boy opposite I left the church that night with my ears buzzing with me and the priest had me kneel in the corner of the the holy hymns and my teenage angst subdued and altar and stare at the wall for practically the whole uplifted. mass—till my knees ached and creaked. I spent many nights at Kimisis during Holy Week herding the self-conscious masses that worshipped overtime for Easter and I loved the procession outside under the stars when the whole world was
DIMITRI C. MICHALAKIS COVER PHOTO: Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
:: magazine PUBLISHED MONTHLY IN NEW YORK Editor in Chief: Dimitri C. Michalakis info@neomagazine.com Western Region Desk - Los Angeles Alexander Mizan director@americanhellenic.org West Palm Beach, Florida Desk Vassilios Kukorinis skopelitis@hotmail.com Baltimore Desk Georgia Vavas gvavas@comcast.net Photo/Fashion New York: ETA Press fpapagermanos@yahoo.com Los Angeles: Nick Dimitrokalis (951) 764-5737 photobynikos@hotmail.com Graphic Design NEOgraphix.us Adrian Salescu Athens Desk Konstantinos Rhompotis (01130) 210 51 42 446 (01130) 6937 02 39 94 k.rhompotis@neomagazine.com
Mike Manatos and Menas Kafatos award the Aristeion Award to Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks
AHC Chairman Menas Kafatos awards the Theodore Saloutos Award to Prof. John Camp
Hon. Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides presents Aris Anagnos with the Life-time Achievement Award
Greek Ambassador to the United States Haris Lalacos, Aristeion Award Recipient Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, Greek Consul General of Los Angeles Gregory Karahalios
Hon. Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Mika Kyprianides, and AHC Vice President Eleftheria Polychronis
The American Hellenic Council Holds 44th Annual Gala in Los Angeles On March 31st, the American Hellenic Council held its 44th Annual Awards Gala. This year, the Council honored two distinguished GreekAmericans and one Philhellene for their outstanding professional accomplishments and contributions to Hellenism. The event, which attracted over 400 attendees, was held at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Demetrios Boutris, the President and CEO of Boutris Group, a Real Estate, Business & Policy Consulting Firm, was the Master of Ceremonies.
Ambassador to the United States, Haris Lalacos, Supreme President of AHEPA, Carl Hollister, and former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni Kounalakis, before proceeding to the night’s award ceremony. Each honoree received, not only their prestigious AHC award but also proclamations from California Congressman Brad Sherman, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, both of which were in attendance.
Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President and CEO of Earth Friendly Products was honored with the Aristeion Award in Business. Under Kelly The evening began with opening remarks by Vlahakis-Hanks’ leadership, EFP has achieved AHC Chairman Dr. Menas Kafatos, as well as the unprecedented “trifecta” of sustainable several dignitaries including the Greek manufacturing: carbon neutrality, water 16
APRIL 2017
NEWS & NOTES
neutrality, and Zero Waste Platinum certification. During her acceptance speech, Vlahakis-Hanks’ announced the opening of a new production line in Greece, which will service not only the Greek market, but also Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The night’s second honoree, Prof. John Camp, received the prestigious Theodore Saloutos Award, which honors members of the GreekAmerican community and philhellenes for their extraordinary devotion to Hellenism. John McKesson Camp II is the Professor of Archaeology with the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Professor of Classics with
Mike Manatos, former U.S. Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis, AHC Vice President Eleftheria Polychronis, and Markos Kounalakis
Hon. Consul General of Cyprus Andreas Kyprianides, Eric Hanks, and Sabri Atman, Founder and Director of the Assyrian Genocide Research Center
AHC Chairman Menas Kafatos awards the Dr. and Mrs. James Kallins Scholarship to Georgia Kouros
AHC Chairman Menas Kafatos with AHEPA Supreme President Carl Hollister
AHC Chairman Menas Kafatos awards the Van Vlahakis' Scholarship to Namie Fotion
the Randolph-Macon College. Since 1994, he As is tradition, the Council also announced the has been the director of excavations at the winners of its annual Scholarship Awards. This Athenian Agora. year, the Council recognized two amazing Greek-American students for their academic Breaking with custom, the Council honored its and personal accomplishments. Named in third and final honoree, Aris Anagnos, for the honor of two of the Council’s longtime second time with the first ever AHC Lifetime supporters, the Van Vlahakis Scholarship was achievement award. A founding member of the awarded to Namie Fotion, and the Dr. and Mrs. Save Cyprus Council (today’s American James Kallins Scholarship to Georgia Kouros. Hellenic Council), Aris Anagnos has been a pillar of Hellenic Advocacy for over 40 years. A Now that the festivities is over, the Council is successful Real Estate Developer, political looking forward to channeling the Gala's activist, and philanthropist. Anagnos has been a success into another year of passionate champion of human rights, civil rights, equal advocacy work in order to counter the growing rights, civil liberties and the Peace Movement threat of Turkish aggression throughout the for decades. Eastern Mediterranean. In hopes of
deescalating tensions in the region, the Council will be organizing a series of congressional meetings to inform members of Congress of the dangers posed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo an. As the largest Greek-American Advocacy organization on the West Coast, the AHC will be participating in the upcoming April 24th March for Justice organized by the Armenian Genocide Committee, as well as the first annual Accelerate Greece Innovation Night, hosted by Ergo Capital and The Hellenic Initiative. The American Hellenic Council will hold its 45th Annual Awards Gala in the spring of 2019.
NEWS & NOTES
APRIL 2017
17
Illinois Tech Invests J.D. Trout as John & Mae Calamos Endowed Chair in Philosophy
quoted as an authority on risk-managed investment strategies, markets, and the economy. He joined the United States Air Force after graduation and served as a combat pilot during the Vietnam War. He is also an Illinois Tech Life Trustee, a member of Stuart School of Business Board of Advisors, and an active philanthropist in the Greek community. “I have often been asked ‘Why did you endow a chair in Philosophy?’ When I was a student at IIT, studying architecture and later switching to finance, learning the skills of critical thinking really changed my whole view of the world,” says Calamos. “Looking back, my education was critical to my success over the years. My introduction to philosophy taught me how to question assumptions and that stayed with me all of my life. It is important to me to know that future students in the business school will learn how much philosophy can make a difference in all they do.”
John P. Calamos, Sr., (left), University President Alan W. Cramb, and Lewis College of Human Sciences Dean Christine Hines ( far right) pose with John & Mae Calamos Endowed Chair of Philosophy JD Trout, Ph.D., (seated) and his wife Janice Nadler (standing center)
Illinois Institute of Technology recently invested J.D. Trout as the John & Mae Calamos Endowed Chair in Philosophy—the university’s first endowed chair in philosophy.
The chair was established by John P. Calamos, Sr. (ECON '63, M.B.A. '70) and wife Mae. Calamos. John is founder, chairman, and global chief investment officer of Calamos Investments, founded in 1977. With origins as Trout was most recently employed as a an institutional convertible bond manager, the professor of philosophy and psychology at Loyola University Chicago. His research interests Looking back, my education was critical to my success over include the philosophy of science, the years. My introduction to philosophy taught me how to epistemology, and cognitive science. question assumptions and that stayed with me all of my life. His most recent book, Wondrous John P. Calamos Truths: The Improbable Triumph of Modern Science, uses evidence from firm has grown into a global asset management neuroscience, psychology and history to firm with major institutional and individual explain the rapid rise of Western science. He has clients around the world. Calamos is often published four other books and has a forthcoming volume based on a series of lectures he delivered through the Romanell-Phi Beta Kappa Professorship in Philosophy. He has held visiting positions at a variety of institutions including the University of Chicago, the University of Helsinki, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Innsbruck. He received a Ph.D. in philosophy and cognitive science from Cornell University. Trout is a recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Romanell Award and a National Science Foundation Scholar’s Grant. He's also been granted two fellowships: a National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship, which he held at Cornell University, and a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, held at Bryn Mawr College. 22
APRIL 2017
NEWS & NOTES
Calamos Investments is a diversified global investment firm offering innovative investment strategies including U.S. growth equity, global equity, convertible, fixed income, multi-asset and alternatives. The firm offers strategies through separately managed portfolios, mutual funds, closed-end funds, private funds, and UCITS funds. Clients include major corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations and individuals, as well as the financial advisors and consultants who serve them. Headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area, the firm also has offices in London, New York, San Francisco, and the Miami area. For more information, their website is calamos.com.
Illinois Institute of Technology, also known as Illinois Tech, is a private, technology-focused, research university, located in Chicago, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, architecture, business, design, human sciences, applied technology, and law. One of 21 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Te c h n o l o g i c a l Universities (AITU), Illinois Tech offers exceptional preparation for professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, a n d a n (L to R) John F. O. Bilson, Ph.D., John P. Calamos, Sr., and J.D. Trout, Ph.D., celebrate the investiture of Trout’s as The John and Mae Calamos Endowed Chair entrepreneurial in Philosophy at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Feb. 27, 2018, in Chicago. spirit.
Bilson was named the John and Mae Calamos Stuart School of Business Dean Endowed Chair at IIT in 2016
by Harry Mark Petrakis
For those months that I wrote, the world of my book consumed my life. The hours I spent away from the work were fretful and restless, fragmented between fantasy and reality. I had become a man with a fever, fully functioning only when I was writing. That was the way it set in a rainbow of sand dunes, thickly-foliaged used to be. Then there is the way it is now. fir and pine trees and a boundless panorama of water. That lake view ranged from serene to Yet I know I am not alone. As I age so are turbulent and in color from cerulean blue to multitudes aging. The musician with shades of light gray. I’d raise one of the blinds diminished hearing, the artist with fading sight, and permit myself a brief look at the splendor of the actor with slurring speech, the athlete with the emerging day. Then I’d lower the blind faltering strength. All living things experience again quickly as a precaution against the lure of such loss. And each human being must find the daydreaming. I sat down at my desk feeling way to cope with that decline. myself a cauldron of energy ready to detonate.
At my present age of 94 the afflictions of aging assail me like the onslaught of an army bent on my destruction. Each week seems to bring a new, unwelcome impairment. My chest rents space to a pacemaker and I have several stents in my arteries. I have a spinal stenosis which restricts my reach and prevents me putting on my stockings. Add a peripheral neuropathy which causes burning in my toes and numbness in my fingers, making it difficult for me to button my shirt. I have chronic digestive problems and an insidious fatigue. Not long after I rise in the morning I yearn to recline on I was still writing on an the couch. electric typewriter then and in the hours that followed If I live a few years longer I will enter the realm there would be fitful starts of Gero Panakis, who I remember as a boy to be and stops. Revisions then the oldest member of my father’s parish. While required a page of paper no one could be sure, it was rumored the old withdrawn and a new page man was near 100. I remember him after he had inserted. Bond in different received the sacrament of communion, colors designating different lurching down the center aisle in church, bent- drafts mounted in piles at double as he walked, limbs trembling, cheeks the corner of my desk. twitching, his carcass withered, worn-out, fossilized. As he passed the pew where I sat, a A book began slowly, with wrenching at my nostrils confirmed he also uncertainty. Fearing false smelled like a goat. God spare us such length of starts and spurious detours life! I carefully felt my way. As the manuscript lengthened, the stacks of pages What faculties do I now retain? I can still walk building, the characters becoming more fully (with the aid of a cane) still talk, eat, sleep, (with formed, a greater confidence in the unfolding the aid of pills) smile and, (on occasion), laugh. story developed. Through the months into Most thankfully, I am still able to fashion words years of writing that followed, nurtured by a together to make stories. I am no longer regular daily routine, a rhythm of writing took confident enough to start a book-length novel over. Sentences and paragraphs began to but I do manage essays and short stories. interweave effortlessly. A harmony between writer and writing was achieved. The writing Yet while sitting at my computer and fashioning began to emerge with such resilience and my stories, resisting an urge to lie down, I fluidity I could not help feeling myself a conduit cannot help plaintively remembering the years from some wellspring of boundless power. A of my creative vigor when my body and spirit poet whose name I cannot recall referred to jubilantly embraced the strain and rigors of those periods of creativity as, “taking God’s writing. A short story could be written in several dictation.” days to a week. A novel took from a year to three years. Yet in the heat of creating, time seemed That creative force and excitement kept me at inconsequential, a week passing as if it were a my work for ten, twelve hours at a time. When I day. did break briefly for lunch or dinner I carried the resonances of writing with me. At the table For a three-year period in the mid-1970s, while with my wife and our sons I felt strangely I was working on THE HOUR OF THE BELL, my disembodied, their voices coming to me as historical novel on the 19th century Greek War from a great distance. of Independence, I remember how I’d wake eager to work and, in the evening, regret having When I finally went to bed, curled beside my to stop. wife, sleep eluded me. My mind swirled with the faces and voices of my characters, with the My day would begin with a light breakfast of skeletal structuring of still unwritten scenes. coffee and a muffin. Afterwards, I’d ascend to Even after I had fallen asleep, the characters in my study, a magnificent, high-ceilinged room my book invaded my slumber, playing out scenes already written or still unwritten. 30
APRIL 2017
NEWS & NOTES
In the end, despite my expiring body and my lamenting about how it was once, I must be grateful that in a world where the moment we are born we are old enough to die I have been allowed to live 92 years. I have a wife who has been lover and companion now for more than 70 years still beside me. People cannot mention the name of one of us without in the same breath speaking the name of the other. We have good, loving sons and grandchildren and a great-grandchild. We have battled adversity, overcome frailties and I have written my books. Kurt Vonnegut said that, for a writer, writing one’s books and having one’s children should be enough and we should not be greedy. Yet we have had much more including durable friendships and travel across the world. With all human flaws, we have lived abundantly fulfilling lives that we will carry into eternity. I need now to be prepared for death without brooding about death. I need to try and put remorse and regrets aside, to temper my hopes, to remember daily to be tolerant and kind to those whose lives touch mine. Above all I need to continue my daily struggle to harness my waning spirit and declining body and endeavor to put words together to make sentences, and to fashion those sentences into stories. There is no saner way for an old writer to end his days.
George Demos and wife Chrysa Tsakopoulos with Congressman Gus Bilirakis
President Trump addressing Archbishop Demetrios and the event participants PHOTO: GOA/DIMITRIOS PANAGOS
(L to R) Mike Manatos, Drake Behrakis, Thanos Petrelis, Michael Bapis, George Soterakis
The president in the presence of Archbishop Demetrios signs the Proclamation honoring the Greek Independence PHOTO: GOA/DIMITRIOS PANAGOS
by Demetrios Rhompotis For the 32nd consecutive year, the President of the United States met this year on March 22 at the White House with the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America and Greek-American leaders to commemorate Greek Independence Day. The Irish-American community (one in seven Americans), and the GreekAmerican community (one half of one percent of Americans), are the only two ethnic groups that have such an annual meeting with the President. President Donald Trump told participants that the tradition of the White House hosting Greek Independence Day celebrations was one which would continue for many more years: “I’ll be here for another seven!”
From right, Greek-Ukrainian entrepreneur Pantelis Boumbouras, Mike Angeliades, Panos Santzoglou and Vasilis Boumbouras
Greek and American flags welcomed the guests Mike & Laura Manatos family with Father Alexander Karloutsos in the Blue Room 34
APRIL 2017
COVER STORY
He went on to say that Greece is the basis of Western Civilization, referring to the “cultural and historical kinship” between the West and the ancient Greeks. President Trump linked that kinship to the present, pointing out that “we see Greece’s enduring influence through so many Americans of Greek descent who contribute so much to this nation that we love.”
allies such as Greece, are committed to defend.” This year too, President Donald Trump signed a Proclamation honoring Greek Independence and the contributions of the Greeks to the United States of America: Michael & Katherine Johnson with Aphrodite Skeadas
Mike and Libby Angeliades
President Trump President Hosts Celebration Celebration for for Hosts Greek Independence GreekIndependence Independence Greek The White House atThe TheWhite WhiteHouse House atat
He also noted how America’s founding fathers looked to the history of the Greek city states when drafting the U.S. Constitution. “All around us here in the United States, we see the profound influence of Greek culture, art, and philosophy,” said the President. “And like our ancestors, we too will draw strength from the bonds of history and culture that unite our countries and shape our destinies.”
A year later, in 1987, Reagan issued Proclamation 5623 on Greek Independence Day: “Those who framed our Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution whose bicentennial we celebrate this year, drew upon the political and philosophical experience of the ancient Greeks and their followers through the centuries. By joining in the independence celebration of the Greek people, we pay special tribute to the democratic values that we in the Archbishop Demetrios, while thanking Trump United States, together with our friends and for his hospitality and support, called for U.S. backing on key issues such as religious freedom i n Tu r k e y ( h o m e o f t h e E c u m e n i c a l Patriarchate), ending division in Cyprus and in resolving the name dispute between Greece and FYROM.
On this celebration of Greek Independence Day, we reflect on the common bonds of history and heritage that connect the United States and Greece. Our nations share cultural, economic, and defense interests, but the foundation of our abiding friendship is our unwavering commitment to liberty and our shared love of democratic institutions. As the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Greece has a rich and glorious heritage, resplendent in its influential contributions to literature, philosophy, and science. The ancient Greeks fostered the timeless ideal of human liberty, which inspired our Nation’s Founders as they drafted our Constitution and established our Republic. The legacy of ancient Greece carries on today, as liberty continues to serve as a beacon of hope to all who long for a better life. It was an honor to welcome Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to the White House last year. His visit underscored the importance of our bilateral relationship and our ongoing strategic cooperation on issues such as law enforcement, counterterrorism, and matters of defense, energy, commerce, and trade. Greece continues to meet its NATO obligations on defense spending and serves as a gracious host for our naval forces at Souda Bay. Our GreekAmerican partnership is strong, and we are grateful to have such a tremendous ally and friend in Greece.
Greek and American flags lined the entrance of the guests to the White House. The mellifluous sounds of live bouzouki and violin welcomed them, while young dancers in traditional costumes gave their best. In the main hall, a US Marines band performed various tunes, among them Pentozali! This Greek Independence celebration was first started by the late President Ronald Reagan in 1986 with the help of Father Alex Karloutsos, Tom Korologos and Andy Manatos and has become a White House tradition ever since. Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, her daughter Alessia and Mike Manatos
Theodora Hancock and Maria Stamoulas from the Hellenic American Women's Council COVER STORY
APRIL 2017
35
Our nations continue to expand our economic and commercial ties, creating jobs and opportunities for investment and trade on both sides of the Atlantic. This year, the United States is proud to serve as the honored country at the 2018 Thessaloniki International Fair. This historic business and trade exhibition will showcase American technology, enterprise, and innovation, and will further enhance the partnership and cooperation between our great nations. In 2018, we also celebrate 70 years of Fulbright Greece, a program of educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Greece. Fulbright Greece, the oldest Fulbright program in Europe, is the flagship international exchange program sponsored by our
Government. Since 1948, the program has awarded grants to more than 5,500 Greek and American citizens to study, teach, or conduct research, enriching both of our countries. The United States and Greece have an enduring bond based on mutual respect, shared values, and an abiding commitment to freedom and sovereignty. More than 1.3 million Americans claim Greek origin. The Greek-American community has made countless positive contributions to our Nation and has played a vital role in maintaining our strong relationship with Greece. On this 197th anniversary celebration of Greek Independence Day, we honor Greece as a strong, faithful ally and valued partner in promoting peace, liberty, and prosperity around the world.
HALC Executive Director Endy Zemenides with Ambassador of Greece to the United States Haris Lalacos and Sophia Varnasidis, for the US Department of Energy PHOTO: GOA/DIMITRIOS PANAGOS
From left, John Catsimatidis, Jr., George Petrocheilos and Peter Pappas, Jr.
36
APRIL 2017
COVER STORY
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.
State Senator Leonidas Raptakis (right), Attorney Manny Rouvellas (center) and Deputy Sheriff George Steffan, number 3 in the Pinellas County, Florida Police Department and a fluent speaker of Greek!
Jimmy Pantelidis and Mike Manatos, who will be running the Boston Marathon together in 3 weeks
Young dancers in traditional costumes gave their best PHOTO: GOA/DIMITRIOS PANAGOS
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2018, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Emmanuel Velivasakis (left) with Elena & John Manos
Live Greek music welcomed the guests
NEO's Demetrios Rhompotis at his new White House desk, in charge of the indigenous populations. Only his appointment was on April Fools Day ...
ORDER OF AHEPA AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION
GOLD COAST CHAPTER NO. 456 Manhasset, New York 11030 PRESIDENT John G. Levas Amcorjgl@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT Chris Pappas SECRETARY Dr. Michael Georgis RECORDING SECRETARY Nick Kouzionis TREASURER Ted Malgarinos Board of Governors Leonard Zangas Honorary Governors Dean Pappas Evens Cyprus Sunshine Welfare Tom Gardianos
The Chapter is having a membership drive for new members only $100.00 for two years. Email the president to join!
Ahepa web Site is AHEPA.ORG You can download membership applications on line!
Happy Easter - Καλό Πάσχα from your friends at the AHEPA GOLD COAST CHAPTER #456
Fraternally yours, John G. Levas President
Please support AHEPA so AHEPA can support you!!!
Fraternally yours, Dr. Michael Georgis Secretary
Our meetings are held at The Port Washington Yacht Club, located at 1 Yacht Club Dr, Port Washington, NY, first Wednesday of each month, 6:00 pm. The 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention will be held on July 22 - 27, 2018 Atlantic City, New Jersey, Harrah's Hotel & Casino. Our Chapter's Golf Outing will be held on May 31, 2018 at the North Shore Towers Country Club. Cost $225.00 per person. Everyone is Welcome!!!
Our Chapter is the largest on Long Island For more info please visit AHEPA.org
hellenes without borders
Alexander Billinis is a writer and lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. He and his family returned to the US after nearly a decade in Greece, the UK, and Serbia. He writes prolifically on Balkan topics. His books, The Eagle has Two Faces: Journeys through Byzantine Europe, and Hidden Mosaics: An Aegean Tale, are available from Amazon.com.
IN CONFRONTING TURKEY, HISTORY IS ON OUR SIDE, BUT HISTORICAL LESSON IS FROM 1938, NOT FROM THE ANCIENT PAST
Another Greek Independence Day has come and gone. It’s a time for parades, poems, and speeches, recalling the heroes of that era. This year, the Evzones came to Australia, as they have come to key US cities in the past. Also, our community was once again at the White House for an increasingly irrelevant shindig. It seems, particularly in the Trump Era, that the White House party for the Greeks is nothing less than, “Get ‘em in, get ‘em out, and make sure they [the Greek Community] pay for it.”
stabbed in the back by the Soviet Union. The Western Allies (Britain and France) declared war but did not attack Germany’s depleted Western Wall, but sat in their forts watching the Poles get annihilated. A horrible war then ensued for six years, one that might have ended almost before it began.
the Aegean and Thrace, the Turks will blink. Containment worked in the Cold War and can work with Turkey too, as the Israelis, the Iranians, the Syrians, and the Armenians have no love for the Turks. It is in everybody’s interest to end a war before it starts, or if it does start, to show decisively that aggression and terror do not work. Erdogan’s legitimacy is not on solid ground and a humiliating standoff or defeat in the Aegean will topple his regime like a house of cards. If, however, Greece is left to defend herself and is defeated, not only will the moral shame be the West’s, the West will face Turkey again, this time, on the Adriatic and the Danube. Bulgaria and Serbia will be less able than Greece to withstand a Turkish onslaught, and the Albanians and Bosnians will, as in the past, be willing Turkish lieutenants. Who knows, perhaps the third time, the Turks will take Vienna?
Greece today is both Czechoslovakia and Poland combined. Turkey's President aka pseudo Sultan Ergogan I am not taking Trump’s obvious G r e e c e , detachment personally. Most items of policy notwithstanding its severe corruption and that cannot be reduced to a single bullet point, inefficiency, is a functioning democracy where For Greece’s sake—and for Europe’s sake—this or that do not impact cable news ratings, rank the rule of law remains in force. It is why Turks must start and stop on the Aegean. rather low on his hierarchy of needs. Hopefully are seeking asylum in Greece from Erdogan’s the professionals in the military look at things r e g i m e i n l a r g e differently. I do believe that there are many in numbers, and they the foreign policy and defense establishment are both welcomed who do understand the significance of the and protected by brewing conflict in the Aegean, the Eastern t h e i r G r e e k Mediterranean, and the Balkans—despite the neighbors. President’s indifference. Like the Czechs in We Greeks often reduce our complicated 1938, the Greeks are Balkan history by a 2000-year rewind to the w e l l - a r m e d , glories of Classical Greece, still admired (but p o s s e s s i n g a n increasingly less studied) in the West. We seek excellent army, navy, to draw continued political and economic and air force. Like the royalties by claiming successorship to the Poles, moreover, the Ancients. I would suggest that the patent on this Greeks have steel in cultural heritage has expired, and that we look them, and are not to much more recent history to place our going to tolerate a arguments in favor of supporting Greece. Turkish incursion without a fight. If How about 1938? history is any indication, the In that year, another dictator, one quite Greeks will fight hard admired by Erdogan, threatened a neighboring and well. democracy, Czechoslovakia. The Czechs were spirited and well-armed, and ready to defend They do not deserve their newly won independence. Britain and to fight alone. France sold them out. Then, emboldened by Western weakness, and having plundered the If the West (the US, vast Czech arsenal (a little-known fact is that the the EU, other NATO Czechs made some of the best tanks in Europe states, Israel, and, of the 1930s) Hitler turned his sights against crucially, Bulgaria Poland. The Poles fought valiantly but were and Serbia) stand unnumbered and outgunned, and further firm with Greece at 38
APRIL 2017
HELLENISM
A. GIANNOPOULOS Architects, PLLC
Professional Services Residential Office, Commercial + Mixed Use Exterior Restoration + Local Law 11 Renovations Interiors Landmarks Solar
EXO WORKS, Inc.
Professional Services Expediting Zoning Analysis Violation Removal Certificate of Occupancy 23-24 Steinway Street Astoria, NY 11105 T: 718-606-0966 F: 718-626-0400 E: anastasios@ag-architecture.net E: anastasios@exo-works.com
Happy Easter - Καλό Πάσχα!
χα!
py
Hap
ter Eas
- Κα
άσ λό Π
Avra Madison & Chef Argiro Barbarigou Offer a New Take on a Time Honored Seasonal Dish Greek eatery Avra Madison has teamed up with Celebrity Chef & Greece’s BestSelling Cookbook Author Argiro Barbarigou to bring a LIMITED-EDITION traditional and time honored Greek dish to Manhattanites this Easter.
Chef Argiro Barbarigou
With the goal of modernizing the traditional Easter Lamb Fricassée, Barbarigou created a lighter alternative by switching out meat for an Alaskan Halibut. Additionally, instead of a traditional Avgolemono (Mediterranean egg-lemon sauce), she created a springtime broth by utilizing all parts of the fish as well as seasonal vegetables such as artichokes, lettuce, spring onions, carrots and lemon. Available starting Easter Sunday (4/1) through Greek Easter (4/8) – the exclusive dish will be served with a complimentary glass of Assyrtiko, a Greek wine from Santorini perfectly paired with white fish and vegetables. RESTAURANT: Avra Madison – Chef/Restaurateur Argiro Barbarigou & Executive Chef Fermin Chavez DISH: Halibut Fricassée INGREDIENTS: Alaskan Halibut, Fresh Artichokes, Lettuce, Carrots, Spring Onions, Dill, E.V.O Oil, Lemons SPECIAL OFFERING: $50 – includes dish + complimentary glass of Assyrtiko wine (tasting notes: bone-dry, light bodied, mineral driven, citrus) Photo: David Jacobson
Photo: Warren Jagger
40
APRIL 2017
Photo: Warren Jagger
NEWS & NOTES
Greek-American Leaders to Meet with Top US Policymakers in Washington, DC The highest-level US administration officials who formulate US policy toward Cyprus, Greece and Turkey and over 30 key US Senators and Members of Congress who play a major role in US policy will be meeting with GreekAmerican leaders at this crucial time for Cyprus and Greece. These meetings will take place at the 34th Annual PSEKA Cypr us Conference in Washington, DC, May 22-24, 2018. New Cyprus Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides will be honored. This conference is hosted by the International Coordinating Committee -- Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO), the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the Cyprus US Chamber of Commerce. Last year's participants at the US Capitol
1. Fill out and submit the electronic registration f o r m https://goo.gl/forms/v138pLmYnCazbaVm2 2. Mail in your payment (details on registration form) to finalize your registration. Checks should be made out to "PSEKA Cyprus Conference" and mailed to PSEKA Cyprus Conference, 1100 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037. Please indicate registrant name(s) in memo field. 3. Reserve one of the reduced-rate hotel rooms at the Trump Hotel ($325/night) [please book via this link or call the hotel directly at 866-6609426 and identify yourself as a PSEKA Cyprus Conference participant.] Contact Sophia Cotzia at PsekaUSA@aol.com or 718-545-7202 with any questions regarding hotel reservations. Contact Elizabeth Fagan at efagan@manatos.com or 202-393-7790 with any questions regarding registration.
In order to participate in the conference the Conference Registration closes on Friday, May following steps are needed: 18.
The Federation of Cypriot American Organizations to Host 2018 National Convention The Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO) will host its National Convention on Saturday, April 21st, 2018 at Terrace on the Park, 52-11 111th Street, Flushing Meadows Park, New York. The Keynote Speaker for this year’s convention will be Mr. Photis Photiou, Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots. Mr. Photiou will be speaking on the national strategy for promoting the issues of overseas Cypriots and governmentsponsored programs for our youth. General Elections for new Executive Board will take place during the National Convention. The convention will focus on the issues affecting the Greek-Cypriot community of the USA. During the National Convention, the chapter members will have the opportunity to express and exchange views and ideas on topics such as the promotion of cultural, educational and social activities of the Cypriot- American
their goals, represent their interests and the coordination of their social, educational, philanthropic, and cultural activities. The FCAO undertakes and promotes charitable activities primarily within the Cypriot and Greek American communities; preserves and promotes the Greek language and Greek and Cypriot history and cultural heritage in the United States. It also supports the leadership of Photis Photiou, Presidential Commissioner for the Greek Orthodox Church in the Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots establishment and preservation of Greek will be the main speaker at the convention American identity and the Greek Orthodox faith community. The Conference deliberations will in the United States. take place from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. FCAO networks closely with other The conference is attended by representatives organizations, such as the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” of the Cypriot and Greek government. (PSEKA), the Hellenic American Leadership The Federation of Cypriot American Council (HALC), the American Hellenic Organizations (FCAO) is a non- profit entity Institute (AHI), and the Federation of Hellenic representing 26 Greek Cypriot American Societies of Greater New York. associations located throughout the United States. Its mission is to, develop good relations For more information, their website is and solidarity amongst its chapters, to promote fcaousa.org
Happy Easter - Καλό Πάσχα!
Save the Date!
JUDGE NICHOLAS TSOUCALAS The Honorable Nicholas Tsoucalas, of Weston, MA, formerly of Rego Park, NY, died peacefully after complications from pneumonia on March 22, 2018.
In Memoriam
Beloved husband of the late Catherine (Aravantinos) Tsoucalas of 63 years. Devoted father of Georgia Tsoucalas Argyrople of Weston, MA and Stephanie Turriago of Pound Ridge, NY. Adoring grandfather of Victoria and Catherine Argyrople and Nicholas, Vivian and Christina Turriago. Caring son of the late George and Maria (Monogenis) Tsoucalas originally from Nisyros, Greece. Loving brother of the late Calliopi Caravakis and the late Michael Tsoucalas, and of Theodora Carras of Silver Spring, MD and Athena Hazlaris of Ormond Beach, FL. Supportive father-in-law to Daniel Turriago. Admired uncle of many nieces, nephews and extended family.
In 1984, President Reagan nominated Judge Tsoucalas to the U. S. Court of International Trade. In June 1986, the U. S. Senate confirmed his nomination. Judge Tsoucalas issued countless notable decisions throughout his time on the federal bench. In addition to handling international trade cases, he acted as a visiting judge in the U.S. district courts throughout the U.S., and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In 1997, he became a Senior Judge and eventually retired from the U.S. Court of International Trade in 2016.
Judge Tsoucalas was one of five children born to George and Maria Tsoucalas, on August 24, 1926 in New York City. He was educated in the NYC public schools. While in school, he worked at the Le Petit Paris Restaurant, which his father owned for 40 years, at Broadway and 145th Street, in Manhattan. In 1944, Judge Tsoucalas joined the U.S. Navy and served as a radio operator on APD and transport vessels in the European theater of World War II, as well as the Caribbean and North Atlantic. Upon returning home, he enrolled in Kent State University, in Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1949. Subsequently, Judge Tsoucalas entered New York Law School, receiving his LL.B. in 1951, and the Constitutional Law Award at graduation. That same year, he was recalled into the Navy for the Korean War and served on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Wasp.
46
APRIL 2017
NEWS & NOTES
In 1968, he was appointed as a Criminal Court Judge for the City of New York and served until 1986. He also served as an Acting Supreme Court Judge for Kings and Queens Counties from 1975 until 1982. During this tenure, Judge Tsoucalas handled many notable cases including the “Son of Sam” trial.
After his service, Judge Tsoucalas was admitted to the New York Bar in April 1953. Shortly thereafter, he began his own law practice, specializing in Immigration and Admiralty Law. He also attended New York University Law School for graduate courses. From 1955 to 1959, he served as an Assistant U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Thereafter, he was appointed to supervise the 1960 Census for New York’s 17th and 18th Congressional Districts, and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Appraisal, Neversink Riparian Rights.
Judge Tsoucalas served with distinction in numerous other positions such as: the Chairman of the Federal Bar Association Committee on Juvenile Delinquency; Subcommittee Chairman of the New York County Lawyers’ Association for Public Order and Responsibility; Hartoularios and Co-Chairman of the Nominating Committee for the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; President and founding member of the Hellenic Lawyers’ Association of New York; President of the Board of Directors of Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in NYC; President of the St. John Theologos Society; President of the Parthenon Foundation; President of the Order of AHEPA Delphi Chapter; member of New York Athletic Club; and member of the Parthenon Lodge, F.A.M. Over the years, Judge Tsoucalas was honored many times for his outstanding commitment and support of these and other organizations.
by Kelly Fanarioti
Striking gold in Greece with honey - and 24-karat edible gold! The story of Yiannis Karypidis and his wife Stavroula Theodorou could be a script for a Hollywood movie. Seven years ago, because of the economic crisis, they were ready to leave Greece and emigrate to England--until an afternoon walk in northern Evia changed their plans and the course of their lives. Now they live in Chalkida and produce organic honey made with 24-karat edible gold: which they export all over Europe, as well as Asia, Australia, USA and Canada.
Stayia Farm founders Yiannis Karypidis and his wife Stavroula Theodorou
(Queen) Honey came to be. We launched it, and all this gave us huge publicity completely free of charge. It was the only honey with 24K ediblegold worldwide. And all this attracted, besides the local media, international media like Reuters. Everything was totally random. Our first ideas were totally amateurish, but we eventually succeed,” he says.
He admits honey with gold has no m o r e nutritional As Karypidis explains to NEO, when the financial crisis ''hit his "The Bee Bros" line, a healthy alternative to than simple door” he had to find a job Nutella. It's three flavors of honey with cocoa o r g a n i c abroad while his wife attended a postgraduate honey. “But it has commercial appeal and it’s a program in her field. All that time, alongside novel product for business gifts and is in high preparations for going abroad, the couple demand in Arab countries, where money and avidly watched an ERT 3 show titled "True show go together. But it’s not what sustains a Scenarios," which featured innovative large share of our sales.” businesses being launched in the agri-food Most of their sales are for organic honey with sector. royal jelly developed by Karypidis and his wife: "We made a day trip to northern Evia and found an idea based on a study by the Aristotle it to be a beekeeping area,” explains Karypidis. University of Thessaloniki that compared New “It was then the time when start-up businesses Zealand honey with 29-percent Greek honey had emerged in the agricultural sector and we and showed that Greek honey had more thought about trying it out. We had to scramble nutrition. ''So we mixed it with royal jelly and it at first--but it came out for the best." That's how became a superfood!” he says. their Stayia Farm came about. EXPORTS Honey, mixed with 24K edible-gold, is what helped them grow quickly—they began Exports of Vasilissa honey exporting in only six months. "We tried the began in the first six months of edible gold at an exhibition of olive oil and wine operations. And within two and we liked it. We thought about mixing it with years the company had enough honey and using it as a marketing innovation sales and brand recognition to for a Greek product, because there was no approach partners abroad. similar product in the world. And the Vasilissa Now the partners come to 48
APRIL 2017
NEWS & NOTES
them from all over the world. Of course, says Karypidis, there’s still a great deal of mistrust of Greek producers by foreign businessmen. "This is due to older Greek producers, who often adulterated their products when selling them abroad. Fortunately, that’s changing and loyalty is slowly building and the standards of the new generation of Greek producers is much more consistent." After last year's research that Nutella actually featured an ingredient that is a known carcinogenic, Karypidis and his wife decided to make a product for children that would be both healthy and tasty. So the couple began experimenting with honey and cocoa, without the suspect palm oil, gluten and dyes, and they ended up creating a perfect food for children, which they dedicated to their two sons. "It takes a 60-hour process to produce this product and get it as pure as possible: it did not exist in the Greek market before. And because it’s geared to children and made with honey, it educates children on the taste of honey. A part of the profits, in fact, goes to the Melissa Female Orphanage in Thessaloniki.'' These products have been available now for nine months and are dedicated to their two children: Thomas and Kostas, depicted in front of the packages named ‘The Bee Bros.’ It’s honey with cocoa, honey with cocoa and banana flavor,
The Vasillissa honey mixed with 24K edible-gold, already exported in about 10 countries
and honey with cocoa and strawberry flavor. “We are now being approached by markets that otherwise would take us two and three years to approach. We presented these products for the first time in an exhibition in Germany and the reviews were very good. We now have orders from central Europe, USA and Australia,” he says.
The example of the Karypidis’ show that even in Greece in these hard economic times an ambitious startup can still succeed. I asked him what advice he would give to young people who are thinking of starting, from scratch, and alone, as they did, a business in Greece in 2018.
and the suppliers," he points out. Regarding the age-old hurdle in Greece of starting a business despite the Byzantine bureaucracy, "the difficulties were real enough. Also, taxation in Greece does not favor young entrepreneurs in any way, but our persistence and stubbornness was such that we overcame all obstacles. Now “I would advise them to be consistent in what we don’t think we’ll leave Greece even if they they do and to keep timetables. There should offered us one billion!" be consistency and respect for the customer
Eclipses Group Theater NY presents
THE GREEK PLAY PROJECT NEW YORK Greek Play Project New York
In artistic collaboration with Dramatist Irene Mountraki and under the Auspices of the A.S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies at NYU & The National Theater of Greece, the Eclipses Group presents the The Greek Play Project New York. It is a series of public staged readings. Four renowned Greek playwrights- Four plays in English at NYU: “In Chorus” by Dimitris Dimitriadis directed by Ioanna Katsarou, translation by Theodora PapachristofilouLoukas, “Andromache” by Akis Dimou directed by Ioanna Katsarou translation by Dimitris Bonaros, “Seaweed” by Penny Fylaktaki,
directed by Dimitris Bonaros, translation by Penny Fylaktaki and “The Blind Spot” by Yianni Mavritsakis directed by Katerina Alexaki, translation by Christina Polychroniou. The production is a collaboration of Eclipses Group Theater New York, a non- profit organization that serves as a cultural bridge between Greece and the USA and Ms. Irene Mountraki, Head of the International Relations Department of the National Theater of Greece and creator of the Greek Play Project, an important platform, listing modern Greek plays and promoting Greek playwrights. (greek-theatre.gr ).
Ÿ
May 5th at 6.15 pm: Seaweed by Penny Fylaktaki
Ÿ
May 5th at 8.15 pm: The Blind Spot by Yiannis Mavritsakis
Ÿ
May 6th at 2.15 pm: In Chorus by Dimitris Dimitriadis
Ÿ
May 6th at 5.00 pm: Andromache by Akis Dimou (Reception will follow after the presentation of the play “Andromache”)
The venue is at 53 Washington Square South, Ground Floor, Room 113, New York, NY 10012 For tickets, the phone numbers are (917) 6488343 and (718) 581-6285 Tickets: $18 General admission For more information their website is: egtny.com
Maria Tzompanaki Appointed Director of the New York City Greek Film Festival The Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce (HACC) proudly announced the appointment of Maria Tzompanaki as the organization’s next Director of the New York City Greek Film Festival (NYCGFF). Mrs. Tzompanaki, Cultural Ambassador of the region of Crete, is an accomplished actress and director from Chania, Crete with a global track record of contributions in the arts as well as the preservation and dissemination of the Greek culture. In 2002 and for two consecutive terms she was elected deputy Mayor in the municipality of Athens. As part of her responsibilities, she led several initiatives associated with school-care and development. During this time, she also, restructured and revitalized the institution of cinema and oversaw activities associated with the European program committee.
Culture & Traditions to the international press. Today, she serves as Chairwoman of the culture center "ORFEUS" and holds the title of Cultural A m b a s s a d o r representing the region of Crete. M r s . Tz o m p a n a k i shares HACC’s vision for the future growth and expansion of the NYCGFF. With her experience and fresh ideas Maria aims to advance the NYCGFF through an enriched ensemble of activities intended to promote the best of the Greek film industry to the public of NYC and beyond.
community here and in Greece. Its mission is to facilitate and foster business opportunities for its members and the Greek community wherever their business ideas and practice may journey. HACC organizes various events in order to create a platform for members to meet, interact and promote their product or service. Events include conferences, panel discussions, lectures, and networking events. Major annual events include the joint shipping conference with the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, the Gala honoring the Person of the Year, and the New York City Greek Film Festival.
In 2004, during the Olympic Games events in Athens, Mrs. Tzompanaki proposed, organized HACC is an independent, membership-based For more information their website is and implemented a project to showcase Greek US organization that serves the Greek hellenicamerican.cc
Photo Credit: John Gress 2017
The National Hellenic Museum to hold Annual Gala Philanthropic support from NHM important memories preserved for all. The Gala 2018 will benefit the tens of artifacts in the NHM Collections serve as a thousands of people - children and crucial component of its educational outreach. adults - who visit the National Hellenic Museum every year Individual NHM Gala tickets are $350 and through field trips, tours and tables of 10 are $3,200. To purchase tickets or dynamic cultural and historical inquire about sponsorship opportunities, their programs. Last year, the NHM website is nationalhellenicmuseum.org/gala achieved a 29 percent year-over- and their phone number 312-655-1234 x28. year increase in people served. Hotel reservations also can be made online, Operationally, the NHM has been with a group rate available for reservations highly efficient with 81 cents of made by April 20. every dollar spent on National Hellenic Museum Trustee Aristotle P. Halikias p r o g r a m m i n g , a n Support for the NHM at Gala 2017 was enjoys dancing with family and friends at NHM Gala 2017 excellent ratio among so strong bidders needed two paddles The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) will non-profit museums. hold its Annual Gala “Connecting Generations” Saturday, May 12, at the Chicago Marriott The Museum preserves the largest Downtown Magnificent Mile. The NHM Gala collection of artifacts and oral has always been a great opportunity for histories dedicated to the Greek hundreds of Greek Americans and friends from American story anywhere in the across the country to gather together for a night world. Special events help to fund of festivities and philanthropy. The evening classes, field trips, tours, programs, features spectacular auctions, live music, and and, as highlighted in this year’s dancing while celebrating and supporting the theme, the protection of the museum archives and the legacy of Hellenism.
Does Antigone Act Alone? By Marina Angelopoulos* For thousands of years, scholars have pondered, prodded, and attempted to unravel the grand work that is Sophocles’ Antigone. Provocative, political, transcendent, Antigone has been categorized, classicized, and reimaged through countless lenses. Whether Antigone is viewed as a division between family and state, sister and mother, melodrama and tragedy, the play changes with each new frame, and another layer becomes exposed at every turn. Through the chaos of trying to unpack Antigone, one commonly accepted interpretation has emerged, Antigone acts alone. Her actions are solitary, unique, and individual. Antigone’s choice to abide to her own moral law and mourn her brother, despite Kreon’s edict, is unaided. Through this lense, we see Antigone’s tale as one of martyrdom, the finite ending of death. But what are Antigone’s choices? And what motivated her to act to such a destructive end?
Antigone seems to support this fact. Antigone pleads with her sister, “The body. Give me your hand. Help me.” and Ismene refuses, and desperately pleads back, asking her sister to be sensible, and not cause more harm. Antigone asserts her independence saying, “I will bury him myself ” and “I am different” almost wanting to be alone just to make a point to show that Ismene is weak, rule abiding, quiet, and unwilling to stand up against authority (Sophocles 22,24). The scene ends and Ismene and Antigone part in different directions, the distance growing ever between them, their twoness shattering. Antigone’s second solitary action is her own death. Antigone makes the decision to end her own life instead of waiting out Kreon’s punishment, and two subsequent deaths follow. This approach to Antigone reflects Homeric-Heroic interpretations, a single hero, flawed and finite. Like ancient Greek mythology, this interpretation of Antigone as a lone hero ends in warning. It suppresses rather than activates an audience. Reading Antigone as one would read Oedipus may lead to an excess of lament and a lack of motivation, not political activism.
To understand Antigone’s seemingly solitary actions we must first understand what it means to act alone. Googling “to act alone” will bring up news headlines questioning the independence of the Las Vegas gunman, reports of the U.S. planning to act alone against North Korea, and Israel acting alone against Syria. To be alone is to be, unaccompanied, isolated, and solitary. The main difference between being Bonnie Honig challenges classical and alone, and acting alone, is the issue of help. contemporary theorists in her book Antigone, I n d i v i d u a l s w h o a c t a l o n e , w o r k Interrupted and claims that Antigone is not a unaccompanied, and either reject help or were solitary actor, but rather a conspiring sister, and never initially offered assistance. They are seeing her this way is more productive to autonomous. Governments that act alone may modern society. According to Honig, Antigone disregard international sanctions and and Ismene are not at odds, but rather use agreements, gunmen shoot alone inflicting covert language to work “beneath the radar” of violence and creating tragedy. Whether an entity Kreon. acts independently or in collusion changes our The classical interpretation of Ismene is that she, view of that event. “is an anti-political character who lacks the Russia working alone to infiltrate the U.S. courage and imagination to act when called election versus working in collusion with upon to do so.” (Honig 151). Honig challenges American political campaigns, changes the facts, that claim by politicizing Ismene and making her changes our views, changes our politics. an equal participant in action. Honig claims that Sophocles’ Antigone is a tale of family and the, “two sisters act in concert in ways that mourning, but also one of deep political strife. complement rather than compete, or Antigone’s disobedience challenges Kreon's complement and compete.” (Honig 154). For order and the stability of the political state. Honig, the opening conversation depicts two Tracing Antigone’s solitary actions and sisters scheming and conspiring through questioning her independence brings a new surreptitious language. Proof of this conspiracy perspective to an ancient text and may help us is the primary burying of Polyneices. The initial determine how resistance happens and what is burial happens in the dark, quickly and quietly, characteristics of Ismene’s persona of more politically productive. compliance. Rather than divine intervention, Sophocles’ Antigone has two main instances of Honig proposes the first burial was actually seemingly solitary action. Antigone buries executed by Ismene. Honig writes, “if Ismene Polyneices, and Antigone hangs herself. The idea did it, we no longer need to puzzle out why is that Antigone goes alone and unsupported, Antigone might have buried Polyneices twice,” it driven by internal law to bury Polyneices. The makes sense, “ two sisters, two burials.” (Honig opening conversation between Ismene and 161). This interpretation also explains Ismene’s confession to Kreon. Ismene states “I did it… I 56
APRIL 2017
NEWS & NOTES
s h a r e t h e b l a m e w i t h h e r. ” (Sophocles 42). Honig asks “why has no one for hundreds of years or more taken her at her word? She confessed.” (Honig 164). Ismene originally perpetrating the crime makes her a political actor and also allows us to understand why she mourns Antigone’s sentence so vehemently, this was a fate she had already tried to prevent. Ismene had acted with, and for her sister. Antigone refuses Ismene’s pleas to die alongside her, even though Ismene begs and confesses to the crime. Antigone says “save yourself. I want you to escape,” and implores her sister to “be happy” she is alive. (Sophocles 43). Honig sees this interaction as a pivotal moment in the play. This action is critical because it shows that Antigone is not a lone hero fixed on death, but that she is also committed to life and preserving her sister. This is important for political and feminist theory because it shows that Antigone is not a lone player, but “a partisan sororal actor in concert who sacrifices herself… for a living equal: her sister.” (Honig 155). Antigone’s ending is not definite, by acting alongside Ismene, she is able to live on and possibly create political change. It is worth considering however, if Honig has fallen into her own trap, caught in her own version of the “Antigone Effect.” Is Honig grasping for straws and projecting politics and fellowship on the characters in the play because that is what she wishes to see? If Sophocles had intended the audience to be aware of the sisters’ collusion, why would he include lines like “Unmourned, friendless, I am led away,” or “I go alone and desolate.” (Sophocles 56). Could there have been a scene added to explain or expose the sister’s conspiracy? The most important question may be, does it even matter what Sophocles intended? Analyzing modern interpretations and adaptations of Antigone may help answer that question, and possibly what implications Antigone’s potential solitude has on political and literary thought. Kamila Shamsie, in her novel Homefire also rejects the interpretation of a solitary Antigone and instead gives her the help of family and community. In Homefire, the modern setting helps to create intricate relationships between the characters and more opportunities for influence and collusion than the original text. Shamsie complicates the narrative of Antigone by making the Ismene character, Isma, act as a mother figure, raising her two younger siblings from the day of their parent’s deaths. Shamsie further emphasizes togetherness by having Aneeka and Parvaiz as twins, born from one egg, deeply connected from birth. In addition to a new layer of familial connections, all of
Antigone’s classical solitary acts are aided by others. Aneeka Pasha emulates Sophocles’ Antigone’s strong familial ties and unbudging mind. Upon hearing that Parvaiz’ body would be sent to Pakistan, Aneeka mirrors Sophocles’
Antigone’s immediate drive to bring proper justice to their dead. Aneeka decides she must travel to Pakistan to bring her twin home. Aneeka’s defiant act is to fly to Pakistan, but even with that simple action, she enlists help. Abdul, a friend and secret admirer of Parvaiz, acts as “chief protector, ally, jumping garden walls to enter her house unseen by press outside” (Shamsie 219). Abdul orders her plane ticket, picks up her passport, and organizes her transportation. Upon her arrival in Karachi, a cousin greets her at the airport with her next set of instructions and accomodation, a hotel, a car and a funeral plot. All of these are rejected by Aneeka, but the point stands that she was supported on her journey to reach the body. Aneeka is not alone in traveling to Karachi. Eamonn, driven by remorse and love, travels to be with Aneeka and join in her dissent. He even releases a public statement defending Aneeka and Yzma and shaming the British government for abandoning them “at a moment of profound personal loss” (Shamsie 248). Isma also wants to join her sister and pleads to Karamat to assist her travels, claiming “she’s my sister. Almost my child,” and “I want to be with her, that’s all” (Shamsie 249). Aneeka receives support from not only her close family and friends but also the Pakistani government and Muslim community. The Pakistani High Commissioner says in conversation with Karmat, “the people… have decided to embrace a woman who has stood up to a powerful government,” and that it would be foolish for his government to interrupt Aneeka,
indirectly supporting her protest (Shamsie 241). The city’s community unites as cities often do in times of disaster relief. The owner of the city’s ice factory supplies ice for the body free of charge,and a driver delivers it as his ‘religious duty.’ Perhaps one of the most powerful moments in the novel is when, “everyone who had gathered in the park took turns unloading the ice belt and passing them along a conveyor belt of human hands” (Shamsie 241). Shamsie unites the Muslim community and shows that there is strength in numbers. By supporting Aneeka and having her act in conjunction with others, Shamsie suggests that political power and action are most effective when backed by a community. Antigone’s final independent act is also depicted as an act of togetherness and love in Homefire. Aneeka decides to act with Eamonn in their shared death. Her death is an act of love rather than independent defiance. She does is not alone in her final moments. The film Girl Interrupted (1999) is another adaptation of Antigone that emphasizes solidarity. The female protagonist Susanna, originally sees herself as an outcast, distant, removed, and abstracted from society. She is essentially exiled from her family who cannot understand her complexities and is sent alone to a mental institution. The movie is set in the 1960s mirroring the intense time of political uncertainty seen in both Homefire, with the modern tensions of Islamist terror and immigration policy, and Antigone in which Kreon attempts to establish a new democratic order. The uncertainty and tension of the time mimic Susanna’s troubled state and her struggle to find herself. Although she is cast aside by her family, Susanna is able to cultivate meaningful relationships with the other women in the psychiatric ward. She relies on the experiences and friendships gained during her stay. This is epitomized in the scene where Susanna denies her draft-dodging boyfriend’s request to run away together. In the end, it is the death of Daisy and S u s a n n a ’ s commitment to life that end up aiding her recovery. S u s a n n a ’ s relationship with her psychological staff and her friends is another example of the power of female companionship and an interpretation of Antigone that suggests that Antigone does not act alone.
Homefire and Girl Interrupted are reimaginations of Sophocles’ Antigone that use community and solidarity to support the notion of a Antigone who does not act alone. Honig’s description of a conspiring Antigone in Antigone Interrupted challenges classical theorists and offers a new way of viewing Antigone through the lense of political and feminist theory. Whether Sophocles’ intended for his audience to see Antigone as a solitary hero, or a conspiring actor, we will never know. Therefore, reading and analyzing Antigone becomes less about original intent and more about implications. What matters is why we still reexamine Antigone and what her story can offer us today. Reading Antigone as an ancient heroine, a martyr for a singular cause and a solitary actor leaves us with a warning and an end. But by seeing Antigone as a conspirator, living and working with those around her, we can see her political strength. Antigone does not just end in death, Ismene lives on, the community lives on, the audience is politically motivated and activated instead of suppressed. We see solidarity as power in modern life. The Women’s March was such an impactful movement because it empowered thousands of women to act together and stand up to oppression. Antigone can never truly act alone when the audience is motivated to act alongside her to disrupt order. Works Cited: - Honig, Bonnie. Antigone Interrupted. Cambridge University Press, 2013. Print. - Shamsie, Kamila. Homefire. Riverhead Books, 2017. Print. - Sophocles, Richard Emil Braun. Antigone. Oxford University Press, 1990. Print. * Marina Angelopoulos is studying Political Science and Fine Arts at The Union College, in Schenectady, NY
Christ is Risen! Χριστός Ανέστη!
by Demetrios Rhompotis
dondemetrio@neomagazine.com
NYC Based Singer / Songwriter Annamaria Crowned “Miss Greek Independence 2018” NYC’s 2018 Greek Independence Day Parade will feature the newly crowned talent, celebrating the 197th Anniversary of Hellenic Independence, on Sunday, April 22nd, along Manhattan's 5th Avenue. Having kicked off a phenomenal 2018, NYC based Singer/Songwriter Annamaria (Annamaria Fazio) has been using her talents to promote her Greek roots this Spring as Miss Greek Independence 2018.
One day I finally sang and played along with a song on the radio...and I was hooked!”
On the heels of her latest release “Affection” (now available via iTunes, Spotify, Amazon & more), the 17 year old Annamaria has already garnered great praise from the likes of Manhattan Digest, No Depression and The New Nine. Asked about her Greek roots she said that “as both Greek and Italian, I grew up around music and dancing. They were part of my everyday life” and that “watching my family and friends not be afraid to dance and sing in front of other people helped boost my confidence as well.’” The Singer/Songwriter has been honing her craft for as long as she can remember, saying “I always listened to music and wondered what my own words would sound like along with it.
Wo r k i n g w i t h E m m y Aw a r d - w i n n i n g producer/singer/songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Eren Cannata (son of Billy Joel saxophonist Richie Cannata), she has been writing and producing music - all original, radio-ready, and all immediately viable. Pairing the two was not coincidental, but a canny move by the young talent’s manager - John Casale. “I wanted a producer who’d be sensitive to Annamaria’s music and serve it well. Richie was the one, his experience and taste shows in every note.” Adds Cannata, “Eren and Annamaria have worked so well together. She’s the most prolific young artist we have worked with in years. She is on her way to great success in this Though she lists her favorite artists as Tori Kelly, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, Demi Lovato, industry!” and Christina Aguilera - her own music remains With her latest track “Affection”, she’s begun truly original. sending out to the world her own brand of fresh new R&B and Soul laden pop music with a To Purchase Annamaria’s Latest Single distinctly powerful vocal edge. “Kiss me, love “Affection” via iTunes, VISIT: me, like no one’s in the room // You miss me, http://apple.co/2krUmb9 you want me, then show me you do // Need your LISTEN: Annamaria's "Affection" via Spotify love and attention, all your affection” sings For More Information on Annamaria, VISIT: Annamaria in the sleek and passionate track the Facebook.com/Annamariasmusic brings her smooth vocal tones to the forefront Instagram: @AnnamariaaOfficial Twitter: @AnnamariasMusic over a subtle yet powerful backing track.