NEO magazine - September / October 2017

SEP/OCT 2017

NICK PASHALIS NICK TSOULOS &

OF MANHATTAN’S ICONIC AVRA RESTAURANT BRING FINE GREEK DINING EXPERIENCE TO BEVERLY HILLS AND BEYOND

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A Place Called Home :: 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

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The book we feature in this issue is called HOME and is a collection of poems and music by a celebrated immigrant (Deepak Chopra) and two sons of immigrants Kabir Sehgal and Paul Avgerinos.

Avgerinos is a celebrated composer and musician who pays moving tribute to his father Costa in our interview but also enunciates how most of we immigrants and sons and daughters of immigrants are shocked by the current temper in this country that immigration is the cause of all our ills: in fact, immigration may be the cause of a great deal of our cultural and economic health.

Where would this country be without Albert Einstein, Irving Berlin, and Dr. George Papanikolaou, among whole generations of others? Where would any of our big cities be without them (New York, Chicago, San Francisco, but also places like Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Augustine, Florida where Greeks first immigrated in the 1700s?) Our Constitution and Declaration of Independence and whole system of government is based on the Enlightenment principles borrowed from a foreign country called Greece. There would be no America without the immigration of ideals from Greece, and the backbone of the immigrants from that country, and countries around the world, who literally make up the American fabric. The only Native Americans are Native Americans.

It is the absurd xenophobia that every demagogue uses as a tool and every country undergoes during the painful convulsions of

change and uncertainty. The good old days in America were never stagnant, and the good old days also were fraught with ugliness and prejudice, very often against the immigrants who came here after undergoing impossible sacrifice and worked the hardest and made this country as great as it is.

Did we all come here legally at the outset? No. I remember the endless stories of relatives jumping ship in places like New Orleans and living in airless apartments while they worked in restaurants and outdoor fruit stands and steel mills until they became legal residents and as citizens became the economic backbone of cities throughout the United States with the businesses they ran and the churches and schools and cultural institutions they sponsored and the military services they staffed with their overweening patriotism. The new immigrants to this country are not exclusively the criminals and the rapists but many are like us who wanted a better life and wanted to give a better life to our family and the generations to come: Gonzalez and Ruiz and Szymborska have the same aspirations for their families that our parents and grandparents did.

Let’s not dissolve the family for the sake of the family: let’s not make this great country held together by the common ideals of freedom and tolerance and justice for all a place to be feared and embarrassed for rather than loved and admired.

COVER PHOTO BY ANASTASIOS MENTIS

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Editor in Chief: Dimitri C. Michalakis info@neomagazine.com

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The FAITH Endowment Awards 65 Scholarships for Academic Excellence “FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism” is pleased to announce that 65 graduating high school seniors received the prestigious FAITH Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2017. In its thirteenth year supporting young people in the Greek and Hellenic community through sponsoring this competitive meritbased scholarship series, FAITH received a recordbreaking number of applications from qualified candidates ranked within the top of their graduating class at high schools in the United States and across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

“I am very pleased to recognize the exceptional talents and accomplishments among this year's candidates who will be preparing to take on the many challenges facing people around the globe,” said FAITH Founder Dr. P. Roy Vagelos. Dr. Vagelos, Retired CEO of Merck & Co., Inc., Chairman of the Board of Regeneron, philanthropist and member of the National Academy of Sciences, chairs the FAITH Review Committee which evaluated the applications.

FAITH Scholars demonstrated their readiness to pursue a diverse set of majors, from Biomedical Engineering and Agribusiness to Economics and English, at the country’s top universities by displaying a high-level of academic achievement, a commitment to leadership and a strong spirit of community service and good citizenship.

FAITH as role models through their generous contributions to the many Greek American organizations around the country. Through the help of my education and future endeavors, I strive to one day have the opportunity to give back to my Hellenic roots,” said scholarship recipient John Melizanis, who will attend the University of California, Berkeley.

On average, each 2017 FAITH Scholar scored within the 95th percentile for ACT and SAT college readiness tests, maintained an A grade point average and took 7 to 9 Advanced Placement courses. More than 60 percent founded school clubs, interned in a field related to their proposed college major, served in student government and joined multiple academic honor societies.

Committing to over an average of 350 hours of community service, the 2017 FAITH Scholars organized blood drives, volunteered at children’s hospitals and community clean-ups and tutored their peers through mentorship programs.

The new class of FAITH Scholars joins a network of over 300 young people who have been recognized for excellence in academic achievements and leadership in the Greek and Hellenic community.

“The FAITH Scholarship for Academic Excellence provides a network of other awardees with whom I can collaborate professionally. Achievement of this goal strengthens the reputation and prominence of the Hellenic community and serves as an example to its younger generation. Personal success in this area allows me to follow the long line of Greek-American philanthropists who have supported the Church and the broader society,” said Loukas Carayannopoulos, a 2017 FAITH Scholar and Nuclear Engineering major at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Growing up Greek Orthodox, I have looked up to Greek-American philanthropists like the Founders of Kyriaki Pagones, who plans to major in nursing at Purdue University, said, “I am so thankful for an opportunity like the FAITH Scholarship for Academic Excellence that recognizes dedication to our education, our Hellenic heritage and our philanthropic Orthodox faith.”

Additionally, 23 FAITH Scholars from previous years received the "FAITH Scholarship for Excellence in STEM,” bringing the grand total of scholarships FAITH awarded in 2017 to 88. This special scholarship series supports all four years of candidates’ undergraduate studies if they major in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering and math), maintain a 3.6 minimum GPA and participate in organizations related to the Greek and Hellenic Orthodox community throughout their college career.

“A background in STEM subjects will be critical for obtaining graduate training and jobs in science, technology and engineering in the future. Our nation needs and will need people well trained in these fields in order to remain globally competitive, and it’s important to support young Greek Americans in these fields,” said Dr. Vagelos.

FAITH was founded in 2004 with the core mission to promote an understanding of the Greek Orthodox faith, Hellenism and excellence through a series of high quality, innovative educational programs and cultural initiatives.

FAITH Founder Dr. P. Roy Vagelos

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For more information, their phone number is (212) 6446960 and their website thefaithendowment.org.

th

14 Annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival

The 14th annual San Francisco Greek Film Festival, October 14-22, will be showcasing 27 feature films and shorts from directors of Greek/Cypriot descent from around the world. Two shorts and one feature film will be showcased each night at the Delancey Street Screening Room (600 Embarcadero Street, San Francisco). All movies will have English subtitles.

Highlights from this year’s festival include: SON OF SOFIA by Elina Psykou. A dark coming-of-age story with a fairy tale twist that won the Best International Narrative Feature at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.

AMERIKA SQUARE by Yannis Sakaridis. A FIPRESCI (the International Federation of Film Critics) award-winning drama with an unflinching look at the mass migration economy.

Honoring the legendary director Nikos Koundouros who passed away in 2017, we will screen the classic black and white film from 1956 THE OGRE OF ATHENS (O Drakos).

The year’s festival will include the following guests: Yiannis Sakaridis, director, Amerika Square Elina Psykou, director, Son of Sofia Ioanna Bolomyti, producer Roza of Smyrna Kika Georgiou, actress, Boy on the Bridge Award winning director Tassos Boulmetis will moderate Q&A with our visiting guests.

Tickets and weekly passes, as well as a full description of all the films and sponsorship opportunities, are available online at grfilm.com. Tickets will also be available at the door, and discounts are available for students with a valid student ID. The San Francisco Greek Film Festival is sponsored by the Modern Greek Studies Foundation and proceeds benefit the educational initiatives of the Center for Modern Greek Studies/The Nikos Kazantzakis Chair at San Francisco State University.

by Chris Salboudis The launch of Avra Madison Estiatorio in the Fall of 2016 coincided nicely with the opening night of the 10th annual New York City Greek Film Festival, and the team hosted a lovely networking reception following the start of the festival. The bi-level 300-

moving to the new task of running Greek-themed restaurants. In 1998 they opened Trata Restaurant on the Upper East Side by Hunter College. The restaurant was getting rave reviews all over town, absolutely flooding social media.

opportunity and the amazing dedication of the team at Avra that makes the restaurants’ success a daily reality. “The team works very hard and very well together and so the success was very fast.”

For those who may not know, Avra 48th Street, conveniently located between Lexington Avenue and 3rd Avenue, is the hub for the American Hellenic Institute’s monthly networking initiative, which the Avra Group has graciously supported since they opened their doors in support of the professional Greek community.

From left, Nick Tsoulos and Nick Pashalis

seat Greek restaurant is just steps between the bustling city and the main entrance to Central Park, providing the perfect venue for the celebration of Greek art, culture and heritage. The location was the home of the famous Copacabana nightclub, which inspired the Barry Manilow song of the same name.

Since its launch in September 2016, Avra Madison has been known as a landmark location for people to meet: whether it was for a cozy dinner, a major power meeting, or a networking function. The stateof-the-art restaurant is ideal for bringing people together the Greek way – with amazing hospitality and food to rival no other. Over the past year, Avra Madison has quickly become a major hotspot for many high-profile members of the Greek community and for our young professional groups as well.

The Avra group is now breaking ground on a new location in Beverly Hills (233 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California, 90210), which is right in the heart of the posh Hollywood/Rodeo Drive district – in the old Hakkasan space adjacent to the famous MGM building on North Beverly Drive, which is where co-owner Nick Tsoulos was diligently working during this interview. “The design and feel will be similar to that of Avra Madison. We’re shooting to launch in the late winter or early spring 2018,” he said. Of course, a main feature of the new Avra will be a big outdoor space,” he says. “We’re looking to establish a positive Greek brand in several locations. We’re currently looking into Vegas and ultimately Chicago and beyond.”

Avra 48th Street was set up like a classical Grecian Villa, from its cobblestone entrance through to the open kitchen and the main dining area. The cozy Mediterranean atmosphere is emphasized with the authentic touches of imported limestone, distressed wood, tavern-style beams, stone washed walls and, of course, the courtyard doors to allow for the signature breeze that’s such a subliminal part of the Greek experience. From the get-go, the power professionals from the midtown business district flocked to Avra for everything from the executive lunch meeting to the quick business/networking Famous hospitality and real estate mogul Marc Packer of the Tao Group (taogroup.com) visited drink. As business grew it became a hotspot for Trata one day in 1999. Nick Tsoulos explains the major networking functions, family gatherings, etc. story: “I was a tenant of Marc’s on 6th Avenue and 58th Street. He came in to my deli and I invited him As phenomenal as the reviews for Avra 48th Street to the new Greek restaurant I’d opened with Pashalis have always been, the team has somehow found a – Trata. He came for dinner, loved the whole way to top itself and take things to the next level at concept of our place and said, ‘Let's do this on a Avra Madison. The menu features a combination of larger scale, like Milos.’ We went to look at two authentic Greek dishes with a focus on seafood and locations he had and decided on the 48th Street lot, a combination of traditional platters and whimsical which is how the deal consummated. We opened up beverages to complement the fabulous main Avra 48 in January 2000 and have been partners ever courses. Executive Chef Christos Phillipou has been a member of the Avra Madison team since its since.”

The new partnership with Marc Packer from the Tao Group (a leading restaurant and nightlife company that has developed, owned and operated many of the most successful food, beverage and nightlife entertainment venues throughout the United States for decades in New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia) was exactly the golden opportunity that was needed to make the vision of This month marks the anniversary of Avra Madison. Greece come to life in a major, game-changing way.

This journey actually begins with long-time partners Nick Pashalis and Nick Tsoulos – who initially Stelios Stappas, General Manager, explains that it’s a partnered up to run a chain of pizzerias before combination of the phenomenal partnership 14

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inception, hailing from the Culinary Institute of America in New Hyde Park, with additional training in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland.

The architectural layout of Avra Madison was prepared by the award-winning design team at the Rockwell Group using a variety of materials including imported limestone white oak, white marble, oil-rubbed bronze, custom artwork, stone washed walls, unique light fixtures and delicate greenery to give the entire restaurant a comfortably

modern yet rustic feel. Special features of this urban oasis include a lovely skylight, through which the sunlight pours in, making the main dining area the perfect lunch/brunch spot.

reservations, guest issues, staff performance and most importantly the food… consistently the food.

We’re always trying and sampling and discussing the food to compare it and see if it’s being made the way our moms would make it, you know, the real, authentic way. We work hard to make sure that we are always really using all the best ingredients so we consistently have the best quality and can offer the most authentic Greek experience to everyone who walks through these doors.”

There is also an elaborate market-style seafood display similar to the one at Avra 48th Street, and in the warmer spring and summer months an Athenian-style outdoor seating is also available. The lower level, which seems perfect for large private parties and receptions, has a quaint reflection pool in the center of the room, which sets the tone for a Stelios goes on to laid back social atmosphere. explain that this requires the constant But the magic of this place is not specifically in the import of fish from all marbles, but in the finer details of the hospitable o v e r t h e w o r l d , treatment you receive from the moment you walk in importing Greek sea the door, the comradery of the team members salt as well as several towards each other. Everyone there is treated like a specialized products friend, which adds to Avra’s special charm. from the Greek islands, including wild Sitting in an exclusive interview on-site at Avra mountain teas from Madison with Nick Pashalis and Stelios Tsappas on a Crete, olive oil from warm August afternoon with the breeze coming in Kithira and home-made from the open bay windows bringing the scent of the Halloumi from Cyprus. lemon trees placed throughout the main dining area you feel at once the sense of Greek hospitality and Asked what inspired ease and forget the bustling city beyond the front him and his partners to steps. take on the endeavor of creating such a When I mention this as we begin the interview, remarkable urban oasis in the heart of Manhattan, Stelios nods and explains that this is exactly the Avra Mr. Pashalis, who has modestly allowed his General Group’s intention and pleasure. “I am very excited Manager to do most of the talking up to this point,

‘Really, it’s an honor for me – for all of us, the team – to be able to have a place like this and to be able to work with these partners and this team. It’s not something that everyone can do, and it’s nice. I feel like when I am here that it’s my place, a second home, and I’m happy to be able to do this for people, to offer this unique experience to them.”

Co-owner Nick Tsoulos was interviewed remotely because he has been traveling between sites as the

Group focuses round-the-clock on preparations for the grand opening of their new location in Beverly Hills. We asked Mr. Tsoulos what it is that makes the Avra project work so much more like a family than like a business. “We are family. Nick and I are first cousins. I was in the business – in the fast food, deli industry – before we started the pizzerias, then we decided on the Trata and to make Greek food the way our mothers and grandmothers had made it.”

When asked about how each member of the busy executive team manages to balance work and life, Mr. Tsoulos explains that the group is now established enough that it functions with a very efficient corporate model. “We work out of an office with great systems and standardized training. And of course we have a good team that works for us. It’s like a community. You know, most of our employees at Avra 48th Street have been there since we opened our doors in 2000.”

working for this company because the philosophy of this group is all about the unique experience and the fantastic hospitality, which also reflects who I am and the Greek tradition of HOSPITALITY, HOSPITALITY AND MORE HOSPITALITY. That's me.

And that’s the company as well. We have it 100% thanks to the Nicks and to Marc.”

He explains it’s the reason he joined the group back in 1998, as a member of the Trata team, that it’s why he has been so dedicated to the management of the Avra Group for the past 17 years. Since the launch of Avra Madison. the Avra Group has hosted major events for billionaire John Catsimatidis, owner and C E O o f G r i s t e d e s Fo o d s , i n t e r n a t i o n a l philanthropist George Logothetis, Founder of The Libra Group and a major supporter of The Hellenic Initiative, and other high-profile members of the Hellenic Community.

“The success of the group is because we all sit down together a few times on a weekly basis and discuss anything that has to do with the restaurant – P HOTO: ANASTASIO S M ENT IS

explains with a humble smile, “You know, Nick and I have been in the restaurant business together for years and we are like family, which not everyone can say. Now, Greek food is popular, but you have to know how to do things the right way. To do that you have to know how to give people something that they can’t find anywhere else – a real experience. I like what we’re doing here because people can come – not only the Greeks, but everyone – and they learn who we are here and they come to know what it is to have a nice Greek experience. It’s not just the food, it’s everything….

Finally, when asked what advice to offer someone new to the industry, Mr. Tsoulos advises not to go into the endeavor lightly. “It’s a hard business. It’s

not as easy as it may seem. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work.” He chuckles, “Actually, my sons want to go into the business….”

With good fortune and dedication I’m sure the apple won’t fall far from the tree.

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In his newfound home, Costas began working, learning English, and earning the U.S. versions of his mechanical and civil engineering degrees while continuing to support his family back in Greece. He was most amazed most by the huge buildings and cities of the U.S. and how nicely the people treated him.

“America’s involvement in WW II was fast approaching and so my father joined the burgeoning defense industries in Rhode Island and Connecticut,” says Avgerinos.

“He helped to defeat the fascist terrors of Hitler and Tojo.”

Also, outside a movie theater in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he met his future wife, Juliana Peripoli, whose family had fled Northern Italy before World War I, just one generation earlier.

“My father later went on to run several successful businesses, employing dozens of Americans and securing multiple engineering patents,” says his son.

“My existence is a testament of gratitude to the welcoming spirit of this great country, the United States of America.”

What made you get involved in HOME? Deepak, Kabir and I were concerned about the isolationist, anti-immigrant trend in our country and we all wanted to make a positive statement reminding Americans that a healthy robust flow of immigrants is the very foundation of our true greatness.

Do you know Deepak and Kabir?

Yes, I’ve know and admired Kabir for several years now and the three of us have been working closely on HOME since the beginning of 2017. Of course, being in the New Age world, I’ve admired and loved Deepak Chopra for many decades!

How long did you work on this?

About six months, with four months consumed by heavy studio production with 22 guest artists.

How did you hope to contribute?

We have a large and brilliant team that shared many tasks, but my primary focus was the music production along with Deepak, Kabir, Jeff Oster, Will Ackerman and Oscar Autie.

Why did you think it was important?

HOME: Where Everyone is Welcome A book of poetry and song inspired by the American immigrant experience Paul Avgerinos is a distinguished composer, musician, and producer who has performed with everyone from Isaac Stern and Charles Aznavour to Liza Minnelli and Run DMC and with ensembles around the world. In addition, he’s produced countless scores for films, television and commercials and dozens of New Age albums on his own lauded with honors including a 2015 Grammy and countless other awards. He’s been called “one of the giants of New Age music.”

He’s also the son of an immigrant father (Constantinos from Kefalonia), which led Avgerinos to collaborate with New Age guru Deepak Chopra (himself an immigrant) and Grammy-award winning producer and author Kabir Sehgal (the son of immigrants) for the music on HOME, a collection of thirty-four poems and twelve songs just released by Grand Central Publishing and inspired by the diverse group of immigrants who have made contributions to the United States, from Yo-Yo Ma to Albert Einstein, from Carlos Santana to Madeleine Albright and more.

“A beautiful compilation of poetry manifested into music which resonates and transcends the human spirit,” Russell Simmons has called it.

Avgerinos calls it a tribute to his father and the resilience of his spirit: “His story is why I’m proud to be a part of Home, which celebrates American immigrants with the spirit of inclusion, welcoming, and oneness.”

Constantinos Avgerinos grew up on the Greek island of Kefalonia, in the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy. Born in 1914, the oldest son in a large family of eight children, he started working full-time by age 13 helping to care for his sisters and younger brother, a responsibility he carried throughout his long life.

“The rugged landscape and breathtaking beauty informed his character and discipline, while the stories of Homer’s Odyssey and its hero king Odysseus would inspire his dreams and aspirations,” says his son. “And my father’s village of Valeriano is not far from Ithaca, the legendary home of that man skilled in all ways of contending.”

Constantinos, or Costa, had a passion for mechanical engineering and he made his way to Athens at 16 where he worked days as a mechanic and nights attended school. In 1938 he received his diploma in mechanical engineering and was accepted to work and study further in Sunderland, England. At 25, he was hired to work on the freighter Nickolas D.L. that was voyaging to Portland, Oregon.

“As fate would have it, my father developed appendicitis as the vessel was passing through the Panama Canal,” says Avgerinos. “Fearing that he would lose his new engineer, the captain refused to let Costas receive medical attention on land. Fortunately, my father made it to Portland on September 2, 1939 just as World War II was starting. He jumped ship and fled to the protection of his sister who lived in Oakland CA, where my father received the medical attention that he needed. Amazingly, a German submarine sank the freighter Nickolas D.L. on its way back to London!

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So many of us have been deeply saddened by the increase in hate crimes, intolerance, bigotry and racism. WE need to shine our light on the inherent goodness of all Americans.

How did you make your selections in both poetry and music?

of acceptance and compassion for one another.

Are you politically active?

I hardly ever am highly active politically but the dangerous developments of this past year compel me to exercise my civic responsibility as a patriotic American.

How has been the son of immigrants affected both your life and career?

It taught me not to take our American freedom and prosperity for granted. To work hard and take care of those who are less fortunate.

How has it affected your music?

Life was very difficult for my father when he was growing up and he made many sacrifices for me so that I could pursue a career in music. I always knew that I had a sacred responsibility to honor his sacrifices for me by becoming as successful as I could so that his efforts would not be in vain. Thank God, I have achieved this goal and honored my dear father’s legacy.

What elements of world music are in your own music?

Greek elements, the Middle East, and Indian music all figure prominently in many of my compositions.

What elements of world music do you admire?

The modal drone harmonic structure of the East as well as their odd time signatures like 5/4 7/4 11/4 etc.

They are often more interesting than the 4s & 8s used so extensively in the West.

Greek music? Greek styles? Greek composers?

OF course i am a fan of all things Greek and especially the work of our esteemed Vangelis and Yanni.

How did you get into prayer, meditation and the type of music you create?

I started at the age of about 15 when I realized that music could be a spiritual path of growth and wisdom and an expression of spiritual values and truths.

You've performed all over the world--how has that affected you?

It has made me appreciate peaceful quiet Connecticut! But seriously, travel does deepen one’s appreciation of other cultures, traditions, beliefs and ways of life.

You played popular music with international stars like A znavour, bands like Aerosmith, country singers like Willie Nelson--how has that gone into your own music and own musical evolution and how do you synthesize this experience and various styles?

There are some general principles and practices common to all musical styles, so playing and working with such diverse artists has helped me to see and internalize the common threads between these seemingly different artists.

How did you get into scoring TV, films and commercials?

I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty and power of good film & TV music and I enjoy hearing my music supporting various productions on TV.

All the poetry and music was created specifically for this HOME project.

We chose immigrants to celebrate who embody the American ideal and dream like Albert Einstein, Audrey Hepburn and Yo-Yo Ma. 7. What were you looking for in the musical selections?

We wanted the music to be relaxing and contemplative. A New Age style that helps the listener to find their own home of contentment and peace, What is the next plateau for youl? whether it is a place or a state of mind.

Watching our 18-month-old daughter Juliana Joy grow up healthy, wise and happy is the mountain view I What do you hope will come from this? appreciate the most these days!

We hope that HOME will help to move the mood and conversation back to a more welcoming loving place

only one in the village who had a refrigerator so I had provided ice for Kemal to cure his headache. So I decided to speak with him, trusting our friendship. I took the Turkish flag at home and went downstairs.”

by Uzay Bulut*

Turkey’s Kristallnacht: the 1955 Pogrom against the Greeks and Other Minorities of Constantinople Sept. 6, 1955 started just like any other day for the Greeks, Armenians, and Jews of Istanbul— or Constantinople.

”They were shocked when they saw me and retreated, so I took advantage of the silence and started speaking. I said: ’I, Apostolos Nikolaidis, was born and grew up here like you did. I’ve served in the army like you have. I am a Turkish citizen like you are.

I have nothing to do with what is going on in Cyprus.

I believe in God like you do. Please leave my family and home alone. Don’t forget that I am a part of this land as much as you are.’

”A short period of silence followed my words. Then I recoiled in horror at a scream: ‘What is the Turkish flag doing in this infidel’s hand?’ shouted a man. Then, a few of them who were near me jumped on me. They hit my head with sticks. I heard my son scream as I fell on the ground. ‘Brother Kemal!

You are killing my father!,’ he shouted. Then Kemal got astonished, stopped the others, and walked away with the crowd. My wife and son took me back home. We then went to the home of our relatives in Tarlabasi where we would be safer. September 6, 1955 was the last night we spent in our home. We first moved to the city center, then, a few years later, we left Turkey.”

”I resided in Cengelkoy with my wife and two children back then,” wrote Apostolos Nikolaidis in the book “I Nihta ton Kristallon. ” Just as protests were starting in Taksim, I left my shop in Karakoy and went home.”

In the pogrom that lasted two days, flames rose all over Istanbul from the fires that began during the Nikolaidis did not know that a horrid ethnic plundering and destruction. cleansing campaign was on the way. Just like Nikolaidis, thousands of non-Muslims in Istanbul The homes and workplaces of Greeks and other were not yet aware of the intent of their own state to non-Muslim communities had been located by the destroy their private property, businesses, and mobs beforehand. One day before the pogrom, the places of worship, to terrorize them into aggressors had told the owners of Turkish shops to abandoning their ancient homeland. “put Turkish flags on their windows”; the shops that did not have Turkish flags were destroyed or Nikolaidis continued: “We tried to listen to the radio damaged. Witnesses said that the mobs were to get the news. The noises of the plundering equipped with a list of addresses to attack. continued to come closer to us. They must have been attacking the shop of Yovani. Then, right Then, on Sept. 6, they started their “mission,” and afterward, the first stone was thrown at our home… devastated the Greek, Armenian, and Jewish districts The crowd was throwing the coal that I had stocked of Istanbul, killing an estimated 37 Greeks. They in the area in front of my house into the windows of destroyed and looted the homes, offices, shops, and the houses nearby. Then the crowd moved away schools of non-Muslims, as well as their places of from our house for a while. After half an hour, a new worship. The holy images, crosses, and icons were group arrived. They were led by Kemal, a ticket attacked. Some of the churches were set alight and conductor. I had known Kemal for a long time. He completely burned. had always complained about headaches. I was the 20

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The mobs beat and injured many people, destroyed graveyards, exhumed the dead from their graves and dragged them in the streets. The scope of the savagery was beyond words.

Some 200 Greek women were raped. It was also reported that Greek boys were raped and that a priest was burned alive. Many Greek men, including at least one priest, were exposed to forced circumcision.

The list of rape victims was established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and by the Greek consul general, and reported in Speros Vryonis’s 2005 book, “The Mechanism of Catastrophe: The Turkish Pogrom of September 6-7, 1955, and the Destruction of the Greek Community of Istanbul”.

The homes and workplaces of Greeks and other non-Muslim communities had been located by the mobs beforehand. One day before the pogrom, the aggressors had told the owners of Turkish shops to “put Turkish flags on their windows”; the shops that did not have Turkish flags were destroyed or damaged. Witnesses said that the mobs were equipped with a list of addresses to attack.

Alexandros Hacopulos, a Greek MP from the Democrat Party, then the ruling party of Turkey, gave a speech in the Turkish Parliament on Sept. 12, in which he said that his house had also been plundered. He said that about 300 people had gone to Buyuk Ada, a neighborhood in the Adalar district of Istanbul, by motorbike and plundered the houses and workplaces of the Greeks there as police stood by.

On Sept. 27, 1955, the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul sent a dispatch to the State Department saying, “Only a very small percentage of community property appears to have escaped molestation.”

These atrocities were committed over a 48-hour time period in Istanbul, one of the biggest cities in the world, and one that houses one of the most powerful armies in the world.

On Sept. 27, 1955, the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul sent a dispatch to the State Department saying, “Only a very small percentage of community property appears to have escaped molestation.”

However, the Turkish security forces that coordinated the pogrom refrained from protecting the lives and property of the victims, instead paving the way for further violence and plundering.

Lois Whitman, a lawyer and the former deputy director of the Human Rights Watch’s Helsinki Watch Division, reported in her book “Destroying Human Rights and Ethnic Identity: The Turks of Greece” the stance of the Turkish security forces in the face of these attacks: ”The American consul general telegraphed the Department of State that ‘the destruction was completely out of hand with no evidence of police or military attempts to control it. I

personally witnessed the looting of many shops or damaged by the Nazi SS and SA. The issue of Cyprus was a pretext to incite the public while the police stood idly by or cheered on the to violence against the Greeks and non-Muslims. mob.'”

The world witnessed another Kristallnacht on Sept. And the Sept. 6-7 pogrom did not just concern 6-7, 1955. This time in Istanbul and against the Cyprus. It aimed to further homogenize the “Turkish Orhan Eyuboglu, one of the security directors Greeks, Armenians, nation,” an open objective of the Turkish regime, of Istanbul at the time, said in court that the a n d J e w s o f t h e and to create a national economy by ending the General Sabri involvement or leadership of the Greek, Armenian, then- minister of Interior had instructed police territory.

Yirmibesoglu, a Turkish and Jewish citizens in Turkey’s economy. not to use violence [against the aggressors] as Army officer during the The Istanbul pogrom what they were witnessing was “a national pogrom, said in an should be evaluated Hence, this pogrom should be viewed as a rage.” i n t e r m s o f t w o continuation of the long-established policy of interview in 1991 that The transportation of the plunderers was issues: Cyprus and discrimination by the Ottoman and Turkish Sept. 6-7 had been the provided by private cars, taxis, trucks, as well as the Turkification g o v e r n m e n t s a g a i n s t t h e i r n o n - M u s l i m work of the Special buses, trains, ships, and even military vehicles. p o l i c i e s o f t h e communities.

Warfare Department Turkish Republic.

(SWD) of the army. “It The forcible population exchange in 1924 between According to case records, 4,214 homes, 1,004 was a good Prior to the London Turkey and Greece; the laws that excluded nonworkplaces, 73 churches, 1 synagogue, 2 organization. It has C o n f e r e n c e o f Muslims from certain professions; the 1934 antimonasteries, 26 schools, and 5,317 places reached its goal. I am Cyprus on Aug. 29, Jewish pogrom in Eastern Thrace; the Wealth Tax of including factories, hotels, and bars were asking you: Wasn’t it an 1 9 5 5 , A d n a n 1942 imposed on non-Muslims; and the recruitment attacked. excellent organization?”

Menderes, then the of non-Muslims into work battalions of the Turkish prime minister of Army during World War II were all manifestations of ”I was 13 years old. Those who came to our he asked the journalist Turkey, had said, Turkey’s discriminatory policies against its nondoor said, ‘There is a 13-year-old girl here, give who was interviewing “Our brethren in Muslim citizens. her to us right now!’ My mother was terrified. I him.

Cyprus was trembling like a leaf. I could not are faced The Republican understand why they wanted me so insistently.

The SWD was also involved in with a People’s Party, which But later I learned that they had raped many the 1974 Turkish invasion of established the non-Muslim children, especially in Beyoglu and threat of public rape in the upcoming Cyprus, under the command Turkish Republic in Taksim,” Keti Bagdat, 65, one of the few Greeks who days.” Hikmet Bil, the head of the 1923 and ruled until stayed in Istanbul after the pogrom, told Turkey’s “Cyprus is Turkish” Association and a of Yirmibesoglu. In 2010, columnist at Turkey ’s Hurriyet 1950, stated in its Bianet news agency.

Yirmibesoglu said in televised newspaper, had made a similar 1946 report on c o m m e n t s t h a t Tu r k e y minorities that its aim Bagdat added that she was devastated when she saw statement on Aug. 20, 1955: “The burned a mosque during the was to leave no Greek the scope of the disaster the following day. response to such a move [an attempt of Cyprus conflict “in order to in Istanbul until the ”Churches were burned down and completely massacre against Turkish Cypriots] must foster civil resistance against 500th anniversary of destroyed. The graveyards of Greeks and Armenians be very short. There are so many Greeks Greeks on the island” and the “conquest” of were plundered. They exhumed the dead and did in Istanbul.” that “it was a rule of war to Istanbul (until 1953). not even leave alone the bodies of those who had engage in acts of sabotage Their plan was carried just died. They did not just deal with the living; they The Turkish authorities considered made to look as if they were some of its citizens—Greeks and other out with only a twoalso disquieted the dead,” she said. non-Muslims—as a year delay. carried out by the enemy.” trump card to exploit in their On Sept. 6, 1955, an foreign relations. explosive went off in They brought the issue of the courtyard of the Turkish Consulate in Turkey’s Greek minority to the Thessaloniki, a building adjacent to the house agenda every time tensions where Ataturk was born. Later, it was revealed that between Turkey and Greece the bombing was organized by the Turkish emerged, thinking that any Consulate with the knowledge of the Turkish betterment—or aggravation—in Foreign Affairs Ministry. the living conditions of Turkey’s Greeks could be used to force Oktay Engin, a Turkish national, who was then a Greece into making concessions university student in Thessaloniki, had been to Turkey. assigned to carry out the explosion near Ataturk’s house. He was later promoted by the Turkish As the conference in London Interior Ministry to high positions and became the continued, members of the governor in many provinces of Turkey. These “Cyprus is Turkish” Association realities became known during the 1960-61 Yassiada and other Turkish nationalist trials that were conducted after the 1960 coup organizations attempted to d’etat.

As the attacks were orchestrated by the Turkish state provoke the public by using such rhetoric.

Even though the biggest victims of the pogrom were forces, the non-Muslim communities had nowhere to turn to for help. With terror and fear, they And Sept. 6 marked the peak of their propaganda: the Greeks, all non-Muslim minorities were exercised their only remaining option: They fled The Istanbul Express newspaper that day featured targeted.

I s t a n b u l — C o n s t a n t i n o p l e , t h e i r a n c i e n t the headline, “The home of our dear Ataturk has been bombed in Thessaloniki,” in a clear attempt to ”The September 6-7 pogroms were not just an act of homeland—in a mass wave of migration. provoke people against non-Muslims. retaliation against Greeks concerning Cyprus because only 59 percent of the workplaces that were During Kristallnacht on Nov. 9-10, 1938 in Germany and Austria, at least 91 Jews were killed; Jewish However, the two-day pogroms in Istanbul and destroyed belonged to the Greeks. Seventeen homes, hospitals, and schools were ransacked; Izmir were so planned, systematic, and organized percent belonged to Armenians and 12 percent more than 1,000 synagogues were burned; and that they could not have resulted from a simple belonged to Jews,” reported Dr. Dilek Guven, a historian who wrote a book on the pogrom. more than 7,000 Jewish businesses were destroyed provocation.

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Vryonis also reported that “according to the Istanbul General Sabri Yirmibesoglu, a Turkish Army officer police, 2,572 Greek, 741 Armenian, and 523 Jewish during the pogrom, said in an interview in 1991 that businesses were destroyed.”

Sept. 6-7 had been the work of the Special Warfare Department (SWD) of the army. “It was a good The pogrom started a wave of migration in line with organization. It has reached its goal. I am asking you: the objectives of the Turkish state. In a few months, Wasn’t it an excellent organization?” he asked the most large businesses had been transferred from journalist who was interviewing him. non-Muslims to Muslims, and the businesses that The SWD was also involved in the 1974 Turkish were destroyed were never reopened. invasion of Cyprus, under the command of With the wave of migration, the state took an Yirmibesoglu. In 2010, Yirmibesoglu said in important step toward fulfilling its objective of televised comments that Turkey burned a mosque homogenizing “the Turkish nation” and Turkifying during the Cyprus conflict “in order to foster civil resistance against Greeks on the island” and that “it its economy. was a rule of war to engage in acts of sabotage made “The local press of Istanbul, however, covered the to look as if they were carried out by the enemy.” mass migration as ‘a traditional disloyalty of minorities’ and ‘their historic alliance with foreign Istanbul’s Greek minority, which numbered some 100,000 before the pogrom, is currently estimated states,'” Guven said. to be 2,000. As Yirmibesoglu stated, “The Due to heavy damage to its printing facilities during organization has reached its goal.” the pogrom, Embros, an Istanbul-based Greek newspaper, stopped printing for eight days. Once How would the international community have printing was resumed, the September 15, 1955 reacted if the German government had refused to editorial read: “We will stay right where we belong. render compensation to the survivors of the We’ll stand up to rebuild our churches, bury our Holocaust and publicly praised that genocide dead, refurbish our schools, shops, flats, and stay instead? where we are.”

Will the West ever see that its double standards on “We will raise our voices and shout out that this the Turkish state harm all nations in the region—the tragedy that befell us should not have taken place. peoples of Turkey and of neighboring countries?

We will exclaim that the country that we live in is our home and we are not here as anyone’s hostage or If Turkey aims to be a respected member of the captive and that we do not have to leave simply international community and remain an “ally” of the because some want to see us leave. We will stay here. West, there are certain duties that the Turkish state Like a sycamore embracing the earth with its roots, should fulfill: we will constantly remind others that we have our roots in this country. They may cut off our branches It should offer official apologies for the Sept. 6-7 but the deep roots of our old tree are beyond pogrom and for other massacres it has committed. It should recognize the right to the truth, and prohibit anyone’s reach.” the denial of the genocides in its history.

“With the help of God Almighty and the security provided by the government, Turkish Greeks will It should express repentance for its crimes, following the example of then-German Chancellor rise from the ashes in no time.”

Willy Brandt, who fell on his knees in humility and However, nothing would be the same for the non- penance in front of a Holocaust memorial in the Muslim communities of Turkey after the pogrom. A Warsaw Ghetto in 1970. large majority of the Greeks of Istanbul and at least 10,000 Jews were forced to abandon Turkey. Most of It should pay extensive reparations to the survivors the remaining Greeks were exiled to Greece en of those massacres as well as the families of the masse in 1964—another tragedy in Turkey’s history. victims. It should recognize their right to return to their ancient homeland as equal citizens and offer In 1964, some 30,000 Greeks in Turkey were forced them all their cultural, linguistic, and political rights. to leave their birthplace with only personal items It should stop promoting and awarding the weighing 20 kilograms (44 pounds) and money murderers and immediately bring them to account amounting to $20. They were not allowed to sell for committing crimes against humanity. their houses or property or to take money from their It should establish memorial museums across bank accounts before they left.

Turkey to raise awareness among the Turkish people Have Turkish state officials made any moral and so that similar crimes are never committed again. material reparation for the 1955 pogrom? Have they shown sign of remorse or grief years after that ethnic And if it is unprepared or unwilling to do all of these things for now, it should at least stop praising and cleansing? taking pride in those massacres. It should try to not Sadly, the answer is no. Instead, they have named a bring further shame on itself and its citizens. university, an airport, and schools after one of the architects of that pogrom. And there is still not a This story war written for and published in the single official Turkish government report on the Armenian Weekly. violence of Sept. 6-7, 1955, except for a statement https://armenianweekly.com/2014/09/30/turkeysmade by an army official in an interview. kristallnacht/

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Dennis C. Droushiotis In Memoriam Dennis C. Droushiotis, the first Trade Commissioner of Cyprus in the US, passed away earlier in September at the age of 64 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Known widely as “Mr. Halloumi”, Droushiotis established the Cyprus Trade Office and during his time there Cypriot Exports to the US increased from $700,000 to over $32 million. His main focus was the famous halloumi cheese and Commandaria wine and in order to successfully promote these products to the wider American market, he implemented a number of strategies involving press, chefs, restaurants, oenologists, etc. helping establish Cyprus as a culinary brand name.

He was also a founding member of the Cyprus-US C h a m b e r o f Commerce in 1998 and served as president and later chairman of the board of directors.

Droushiotis was also involved in bilateral trade negotiations with the US Office of the Special Trade Representative and at the international level as well as a delegate to the World Trade Organization and other multi-lateral conferences. He was an adviser to the Central Bank of Cyprus, served as a Director of Tourism for North America 1980 – 1990, and as Economic Counselor of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations.

Droushiotis served on a number of associations, including the International Olympic Committee, the European Travel Commission, the American Exporters and Importers Association, American Cheese Society, and was a founding member of the European Wine Council headquartered in New York.

Following his retirement from the Department of Commerce he founded Equis Trading Inc., which undertook a campaign to further promote halloumi and Cypriot wine in the United States.

He also took active part in the election campaigns of various candidates and he served as coordinator of the campaign of John Catsimatidis for NYC mayor.

He received honors by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and from private industry for his contribution to the fostering of trade between the United States and Cyprus. In recognition of his service, Droushiotis received the 2000 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award and the Evagoras Pallikarides Award of Merit in 2003.

Dennis Droushiotis is survived by his wife Polly, their two children Dennis Jr. and Maggie, and his brother, retired Ambassador James Droushiotis.

GREEK PASSPORT OFFERS VISA-FREE ACCESS TO 171 COUNTRIES (INCLUDING THE US)!

by Christos Iliopoulos The Visa Restrictions Index (Business Insider, UK, 29 Feb. 2016) 'evaluates' the strength of passports of most countries in the world. The main criterion is in how many countries the holder of a certain passport can enter without having to issue a specific visa.

According to this survey, the more visa-free access you have in countries all over the world, the more valuable your passport is.

The recently issued Henley & Partners' Visa Restrictions Index concludes that the strongest passport is the German one, since it gives access to 177 countries without the need of a visa for its holder. The Greek passport ranks in seventh spot, along with that of New Zealand, as it gives visa-free access to 171 countries.

LAVRENTIS MACHAIRITSAS AND GIANNIS ZOUGANELIS PERFORM IN AKTINA’S GREEK MUSIC JOURNEY 2017 Greek legendary songwriter/singer Lavrentis Machairitsas returns to New York accompanied by Giannis Zouganelis and their distinguished musicians on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 8:30pm in a new and one of a kind performance in support of New York’s public service media, AKTINA FM and TV. The concert produced by Elena Maroulleti from the acclaimed concert series, GREEK MUSIC JOURNEY will be hosted once again at the historic theater, The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, on 68th Street between Park and Lexigton Avenues in Manhattan, . . The concert is co-presented by the non-profit cultural organizations AKTINA Productions, Inc., and CYPRECO Of America, Inc. Machairitsas and Zouganelis are accompanied by a team of exceptional musicians/soloists with whom they have been collaborating over the years among them Steve Tesser, electric guitar/vocals, Akis Amprazis, bass/vocals, Alexandros Zouganelis, wind instruments and Filippos Spyropoulos, drums.

Those born outside Greece to at least one Greek-born parent or grandparent can obtain a Greek passport, provided certain documents are filed and processed by the Greek administration. If all birth and marriage certificates are in good order, there is no need for the applicant to speak Greek. The application is filed either at the Consulate of Greece at the country of residence of the applicant, or directly in Greece, with a proxy, or a combination of the above.

To apply and obtain your Greek passport, which is a European Union (EU) passport and allows you free entry, residence, work and status equal to local citizens in every EU member state, you have to first locate the birth certificate (birth record is not enough) of your parent or grandparent, who was born in Greece. Then, you must obtain the marriage certificate of that person, and then the birth of the next in line ancestor, until we reach your birth certificate.

If you have only one Greek grandparent, and you are now above 18 years old, the type of marriage of your grandparents is of significance. If you have only a Greek-born grandfather, you must obtain a religious marriage certificate of your grandparents. If, on the other hand, you only have a Greek-born grandmother, you must have a civil (not religious) marriage certificate of your grandparents. If you have only one Greek-born parent, the type of marriage of your parents (civil or religious) will not be an obstacle to your Greek citizenship.

The names of each ancestor must be consistent from one public document to the other. If a person is named Stathopoulos in his Greek birth certificate, being named Stathes in his foreign marriage certificate may create the need to identify that Stathopoulos, who was born in Greece, and Stathes, who was married in the USA/Canada/Australia etc. is one and the same person.

Males born outside of Greece to Greek parents or grandparents can obtain their Greek passport without having to serve in the Greek army, as long as they do not reside in Greece more than six months within the same calendar year, while they can reside the whole year long in any other EU country.

* Christos Iliopoulos is attorney at the Supreme Court of Greece, LL.M. The article first appeared in the Neos Kosmos newsparer, in Melbourne, Australia.

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Referring to the upcoming performance, the President of AKTINA and CYPRECO and the concert’s Executive Producer, Elena Maroulleti stressed that, “we have been exclusively hosting concerts featuring Lavrentis Machairitsas every two years since 2013 and each new performance is an exceptional experience for our fans and supporters. We have teamed up once again with CYPRECO in the presentation of this new one of a kind concert which will feature remarkable songs from the rich discography of Machairitsas but also songs and comedy skits by Greek renowned artist Giannis Zouganelis. We are truly thrilled to host these two unique artists in a very unique concert that will be both entertaining and fun!”

Tickets are exclusively sold by the organizers. To charge tickets call 718-545-1151 or buy online at www.aktinafm.com. Credit card processing fees apply for ever y ticket purchase. All sales are final, no refunds/exchanges. Affordable ticket prices range from $40-$95. The Kaye Playhouse is also wheelchair accessible with special designated seats in the main orchestra.

With an impressive career spanning over 40 years, Lavrentis Mahairitsas is among the leading and most distinguished singers/songwriters of Greece with worldwide recognition. His songs are exceptional and over the years they have marked and highlight the history of Greek song as well as his career. Apart from his unique talent as a singer/songwriter, Machairitsas also stands out for his ethos, for the remarkable energy he brings on stage, and for his unique and gifted character that always engages fully the audience during his performances. Attendees to the November 3rd concert will sing and clap along to some of the most loved and everlasting songs of Machairitsas as well as to his new hits from his recent 2017 album “Allaxan Polla” (Much has Changed) which features amazing songs by great lyricists including the legendary Manos Eleftheriou.

Machairitsas, apart from the countless hit songs which comprise his personal discography which are crowned with Platinum and Gold certifications, he has also composed hit songs for other renowned singers both in Greece and abroad. He has also collaborated in recordings and live performances with over 20 world acclaimed non-Greek artists such as Salvadore Adamo, Tonino Carotone, Christophe, Anne Catherine Gillet, Bernard Lavilliers, Maria Pilar Piluca, Quantor Stevens, Josep Tero, Vasco Rossi and others.

Giannis Zouganelis, is yet another renowned and multi-talented artist with exceptional contributions to music, theater, cinema and the arts. He is a singer/ songwriter/ actor/ comedian and recipient of distinct Academic Diplomas in the areas he serves. He is among the very few orchestration composers in Greece whose works have been released worldwide. During his 40-year long career, he has written music for cinema, for over 100 theatrical plays both contemporary and ancient tragedies and for several Greek TV series. He’s been in discography since 1971 and has released some 70 albums (personal and in collaboration with other artists) and has participated as a Guest Star in some 40 other albums. Giannis Zouganelis is also a distinguished actor and comedian who has appeared in countless theatrical plays and TV series, while he has also collaborated with almost all of the renowned theatrical companies of Greece. He is also a host for TV shows including the hit series of the Greek version “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The multi-talented Giannis Zouganelis is also a music and theater teacher.

AKTINA FM airs daily 24/7 online at www.aktinafm.com and live every Saturday 3:30-8pm and every Sunday 1:30-6pm on WNYE 91.5FM in NY and simultaneously online from its website. AKTINA TV airs every Sunday 67pm on WNYE Ch. 25 in NY. For more information please visit, www.aktina.org or call 718-545-1151.

Caterina: Last Queen of Cyprus At the United Solo Theatre Festival, New York “Caterina: Last Queen of Cyprus” is an original stage play by Anthie Zachariadou, directed by Andreas Araouzos. It premiered in 2015 in Nicosia, Cyprus, on the beautiful terrace of the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR) overlooking the old town, including parts of the Turkish-occupied Nicosia. On November 9th, 7:30 pm, it will make its American debut at Theatre Row – The Studio Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street, NYC. The play is in English and it lasts 55 minutes.

Toronto-born Cypriot actress Christina Marouchou portrays Queen Caterina Cornaro (14541510). She is wearing a costume that is a historically precise replica from a Cornaro portrait and is an actual exhibit at the CVAR, taken from its exhibition stand only for this theatre piece, now travelling to New York especially for this presentation.

In the play, Caterina Cornaro of Venice recounts her story, from the age of 14 until her death, her life on the island of Cyprus and her bond with the people, as well as her tragic and oppressed status as a pawn of ruthless politics aiming at the island’s domination.

For tickets and info their website is unitedsolo.org/us/caterina-2017/

the Big Apple. “We are very involved with the Church. People appreciate what we do. We give for the church or a prize for their lottery to raise money.

We also contribute to the arts, because that is also a big part of the Greek community. The local Greek Cultural Center, the theater, the dance groups. We’re here to support everything.” Among the nonprofit organizations Regina has helped to support are: The Queens Center for Progress, The Brooke Jackman Foundation, The Ronald McDonald House Greek Division, Philo4Thought Hellenic Mentoring Initiative, American Hellenic Institute, and more.

“It’s nice to be a part of the community in this way, to be a part of something bigger.” Regina explains. “We try to accommodate everyone’s needs in some way.”

Artopolis Bakery: A Slice of Greece in Astoria

by Chris Salboudis

P HOTO S: ETA P RESS

Artopolis' annual participation in The Queens Center for Progress fundraiser at Terrace on the Park

Regina shared a bit more about the annual events she and her team support: “The Queens Center for Progress hosts an annual event at Terrace on the Park. Tickets are $100 per person and all the best restaurants in Queens are selected to participate and they always choose a Chef of the Year, which is nice.

We’re honored to be part of that group. The proceeds go to children with special needs, which I feel strongly about supporting.

“Authentic and genuine is our brand,” says Regina Katopodis, founder of Artopolis

For the past 14 years Regina Katopodis and her team at Artopolis Bakery have been a staple for members the Greek community throughout the tri-state area and beyond. Conceived along the shores of Greece and built from scratch in the niche of the little agora along 31st Street in Astoria, NY, this sweet haven prides itself on the authenticity of its products. As Regina says, “Authentic and genuine is our brand.”

year. We just keep going and going and going!” Sure enough, since Artopolis opened its doors in 2003 it has been packed with customers of all ages. Whether you’re picking up a massive order of Greek tiropita made fresh daily from their Furno, ordering sweets for their Patisserie, or just enjoying a nice kafedaki and cookie with a friend or family member, Artopolis is committed to offering the best quality AND to making sure you leave with a smile. “No one leaves As stated on their new webpage, artopolis.us., “The without a smile!” Regina says. basic ingredient for this extraordinary venture is the passion for quality and excellence of the Artopolis More than a bakery, Artopolis has always been group, proud natives of Kefalonia and Ithaca, who intended to be a part of the community, a reflection spent a lifetime perfecting recipes from every corner of the warm and hospitable community that is the of Greece to bring authentic and traditional baked heart of Greece and Greek culture. “I’m very happy that we’re part of the neighborhood. That was goods to those who seek the very best.” always the mission for us. We’ve built relationships I walked into Artopolis in mid-September to set up over the years. We’ve done wedding cakes for young the interview and smiled at the familiar sight of three couples and are now baking for their kids’ baptisms members of the Artopolis team making traditional and birthdays, which is amazing and really means koufeta with custom-printed bows, taking me back something to us. Being hospitable and being part of to my childhood, where we sat together in similar a community like this… it’s all part of the Greek fashion around a wooden table to prepare koufeta package here. It’s like when someone comes in for and boubounieres for weddings and christenings. the first time I always offer them a pastry because The lovely shop specializes in creating the perfect that’s the Greek way.” classical Greek touches for all occasions.

At almost any philanthropic Greek event throughout When asked about special holiday plans at the the year, especially in NYC, people are enjoying bakery, Regina says that there are no new plans for sweets from Artopolis. “I’m very pleased to say that the holiday. “People ask every year, ‘Do you have Artopolis has evolved over 13 years into a part of the something new?’ and I’m proud to say NO because community. It’s not all about the money. It’s more the whole point here is to stick to the original, about preserving the Greek community and helping authentic Greek pastries, to make them the way they to meet its needs.” Regina runs Artopolis Bakery in are traditionally supposed to look and taste. For the Astoria as well as the new PI Bakery in Manhattan. As holidays we don’t have NEW activities but we do a Greek business owner she is committed to start making the melomakarona, kourabiedes, and working with churches and nonprofit organizations vasilopita as always, daily through the first of the that support Greek culture and community here in 26

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“The Brooke Jackman Foundation is another great cause dedicated to supporting childhood literacy.

Brooke herself was a school teacher who perished at the age of twenty-four in the 9/11 tragedy. Knowing her life’s mission that no child in NYC should be illiterate, her family started the foundation to raise money and identify resources to support child literacy. We offered the sweets at the last fundraising event in the Mandarin Oriental. They raise millions of dollars in those few hours, which is really amazing.

“We also help out The Ronald McDonald House Greek Division also because Niki Sederis – the founder – was someone I admired very much. She had an amazing spirit and determination and will

always be here in my memory. She will always inspire us. It’s in her memory that we gladly donate a bus to help get people to their annual Walkathon.”

At the seasonal lectures hosted by the American Hellenic Institute at the swanky 3 West Club, everyone enjoys relaxed networking over coffee and aromatic sweets from Artopolis. Likewise, at annual conferences and seminars hosted by Philo4Thought, young professionals enjoy the delightful taste of Greece that Artopolis offers while revamping resumes and building connections.

Artopolis also provides the sweets and cakes for the annual Vasilopita cutting event hosted at Holy Trinity Cathedral every January – in collaboration with major Hellenic organizations including Hellenic Medical Society of New York, Hellenic Professional Women, Hellenic American Business Association, Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, Hellenic Lawyers Association, etc.

Regina and her husband were living in Greece after being in the pastry industry in New York City for years. The concept of creating a cozy niche pastry shop in the heart of the Greek community in New

York came up when the she’s taken so much time and effort to obtain and owners of the square perfect. “When we look for kitchen staff, we’re not on 31st Avenue invited looking so much for the pastry professional, but for R e g i n a a n d h e r chefs who know how to make our products look and husband to build a taste the ways we wanted – the perfect color and pastry shop in the texture for the filo, the perfect vasilopita, as it should corner block of the be. It wasn’t an easy process to find the right team… construct. “The idea a lot of people came and left till we got it right. Our w a s t o h a v e a n Chef Ali, for example, was taken straight out of the authentic agora, and Plaza Hotel. My husband Angelos spoke with Ali, the concept as the owners of the space visualized it not complete without a pastry shop.”

According to Regina, the vision of Artopolis took 3 years to put together. “This space was brand new and vacant. We took three classic concepts – the furno, the patisserie, and the kafeteria – and combined them to it was closer to the feel of the kiosks in Greece that sell everything. There was who started working here part time until finally we nothing like it here. It was a real evolution. The gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and now here architect is someone who makes very high-end we are.” Regina smiles as she remembers the story of Patisseries throughout Europe. He designed every what she often refers to as an odyssey. “I think we got part of this space with just the bare specs, importing it right now! And we continue that way.” every piece from G r e e c e . T h e i n s t a l l a t i o n s w e r e Vasilopitas from Artopolis perfect, and see the at the annual New Year's marble on this floor? You event of the Hellenic Doctors, are literally stepping on Bankers and Greek and marble from Greece, a Cyprus Chambers of piece of home.” Sure Commerce enough, many people comment on the homey feel of Artopolis, the familiar scents, the classic display, and the warmth of the hospitable team. The seats and tables are classic imports from Ermou Street in Athens.

“When we first started, all our baked goods were originally shipped from Greece, but the demand was so high that we couldn’t keep up with those shipments, so we made a new effort to bake everything fresh and inhouse, which is what we have been doing for years now. To do this, we have to make sure that all the products are in their most authentic forms and made from real Greek ingredients. Now this place has become a real embassy for the Greek housewife, and a place that people come to when they want traditional baked goods as they originally were meant to taste and look. Everything we serve here – every recipe – is straight out of somebody’s home and made by hand with imported ingredients to ensure that each thing we make is a genuine and authentic representation of our heritage. Each pastry is from a traditional recipe in different parts of Greece.”

The community certainly agrees! In 2011 Artopolis was featured by Sylvie Bigar in the New York Times.

In 2012 Artopolis was honored with ZAGAT’s Excellence & Extraordinary Award. In 2014 the Artopolis Group was featured in Time Out magazine for their new expansion project, PI Bakery in SOHO was also honored as Best Bakery by the Small Business Association of America. On the several instances that I’ve stopped in, visitors from Seattle to New Haven have stopped in and left with smiles on their faces – and at least one box of goodies for the road!

To learn more about the team, stop by the Agora Plaza and experience what everyone’s talking about!

Regina explains that she maintains a younger staff Artopolis Bakery, 23-18 31st Street in Astoria, New that is more trainable and will follow the recipes York.

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From Samos with love!

An excellent Master Class for Samos wine from Greece was held on Tuesday July 11th 2017 in KELARI restaurant in New York.

The presentation of wines from The United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos (UWC SAMOS) was edited by the well-known sommelier Lefteris Tsitsas.

Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a degustation of fine wines like “Samos Vin Doux”, “Samos Anthemis”, “Samos Nectar” & “High Peaks”, accompanied with exceptional tastes of a three courses that chef of KELARI created for the occasion. All presented labels of Samos wines can be found in the market of New York.

The evening went well and the atmosphere was relaxing. The attendees were traveled through the flavors and aromas of the wines on the green and beautiful island of Samos.

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Director’s Cut:

An Inside Look at the 2017 NYC Greek Film Festival

by Chris Salboudis

Loukaniko and people took him to heart. The second is Boarder Souls and it’s about the refugees and refugee camps; it focuses on one particular monk, who’s taken it upon himself to feed them; he’s rallied nuns and townspeople to feed 15,000 refugees; he doesn’t accept money from anybody, only food donations. We’re airing the World Premier of that film this Sunday, October 1st. The third is The Patriarch’s Room which is an interesting one. About 11 or 12 years ago, a guy by the name of Irenaios, Patriarch of Jerusalem, was accused of leasing church properties to extremist Jewish organizations in Christian Palestine, so they did away with him and to protest his innocence he locked himself in his chambers at the patriarchy and didn’t come out for 11 years! Nobody saw him! All he had was a window out on the street and a cellphone. The Director of the movie befriends his former assistant and is somehow granted the first interview in 11 years. The movie doesn’t make a judgment, which is fine.

That’s what a good documentary does. But it’s very interesting. The inner sanctum of the church, even the Israeli Secret Service is involved…. There’s also a nice film from Cyprus, Boy on the Bridge, and a murder mystery – a very rare genre in Greek cinema – called The Other Me that has a lot of the aspects of a classic detective novel.….”

For youth (age 12 and older) Professor Demetro recommends Border Souls and Dogs of Democracy: “Kids should see how other kids live and understand how lucky they are to be here and have such a good life, to know that some kids live…. There’s nothing in the average American’s life experience that can prepare them for this. The movie makes a wonderful statement, ‘while some countries close their borders, other countries open their hearts.’ And that’s a lovely thought to take from the film.”

The 11th Annual NYC Greek Film Festival is here! Opening Night at the Directors Guild of America Theatre on 57th Street and 6th Avenue was completely sold out.

While the audience laughed (and scoffed!) in captivated unison as the truths and lies of Perfect Strangers unfolded, NEO Magazine held an exclusive interview with Founding Director of the NYC Greek Film Festival, Professor James DeMetro.

2017 FILM LINEUP (Sept. 28 - Oct. 15): We began with a discussion on the themes and lineup of the films selected for this year’s festival: “There really is no single theme, but these are the latest Greek films. It’s a combination of mass entertainment and quality films. There are fewer films this year, and that was a conscious choice on our part. We really had to be strict about what we picked this year… and the selection is good. There are no block busters this year, as there were last year, but every film is a very solid experience. We have short subjects as well as the regular feature length films.

“This is our 11th year and we do always have a balance of genres so there’s something for every viewer. So that means we go from very mainstream type films to the more artsy themes. The film we’re showing today, Perfect Strangers, is one of the more commercial films. It’s a very smart comedy. It started 30

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life as an Italian production and the Greeks adapted it. The story’s also been sold to an American production company for an American audience, which says something about the versatility and the appeal of the story. Basically, it’s a digital age comedy: 7 friends meet for dinner and as a proof that they have no secrets from one another they all put their cellphones on the table and they’re going to share everything that comes in – messages, calls, Founding Director of the NYC Greek Film Festival, and so on. Of course all hell breaks loose, as you can Professor James DeMetro imagine, because truth games are very dangerous.”

As if on cue, there is a loud roar of laughter in the NYC GFF TAKE 11: theatre.

When asked how long it takes to prepare for the NYC “Rose of Smyrna is the top-grossing commercial GFF, Professor DeMetro admits that it is a year-long Greek film of this current season and we also have commitment. “You’re always trying to keep up with the Oscar contender from Greece, Amerika the movies. You have to keep track of what reviews a Square.… We also have a few good documentaries. movie’s getting at the box office and what people are The first is Dogs of Democracy and it’s about the saying about it, so you have to be vigilant. We’re stray dogs of Athens – one dog in particular, who getting to a point now where we’re pretty well becomes a kind of symbol of the resistance because known, so producers will just send us pieces, but he was always at the protests and rallies. His name is that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re P HOTO S: ETA P RESS

Amazon) as well. Last year’s World’s Apart is a good example. It played California, Chicago, and the New York run was supposed to be a week and was extended to three weeks. It did very well and it’s not on Amazon or Apple. Also Suntan from last year has made it at that level. This year the only film that has been sold for American distribution so far is Amerika Square. That’s the Oscar contender.…

ONGOING ISSUES IN THE GREEK FILM INDUSTRY: The multi-tiered socio-economic crisis has had a marked affect on the film industry. Some positive, some negative. On the positive side, Professor DeMetro says that the crisis discourages less determined members of the industry. “There’s something about the crisis that gets rid of the money grubbers in the industry, and people who stay on are people who have something to say, and they’re going to find a way, come hell or high water. To make a movie today in Greece is a major effort. I notice really talented directors who I really respect waiting 5-6 years between projects because that’s how long it will take to recoup the losses from the first film to make the next one, and then to find the money for the second one….”

On the negative side, the market does not seem consistent enough to sustain itself. “Do you know that the average Greek film today is under 5,000 Euro? Which is laughable, really. In an American film that’s the catering bill! Talented people, strong actors and good technicians face chronic problems because of the consistent failure of marketing. In appropriate to include. We’ve established good one day my friend told him, ‘You know, I have a Greece, to be honest, there is none because of this credibility over the past 11 years and that makes the friend who knows a little bit about Greek movies and there is no audience. You cannot sustain an industry job easier, you know, but it also makes it more he’s just retired, maybe he’ll be interested,’ AND I selling 100,000 tickets.… and it’s only the big hit responsible because you now have a track record WAS INDEED because I love and grew up with Greek Greek film that brings in 100,000 people. The and reputation to live up to. People don’t care what movies.” Anyone who has seen the numerous average film you did in the past, they don’t remember what you successful iterations of the festival can tell that grosses maybe did last year, they’re paying money and want to have Professor DeMetro certainly takes the task to 10,000 if it’s lucky. a good time when they come to the movies.” heart and was well chosen for the role as Terrific films that Director, not only because of his knowledge win awards in When asked what inspired the NYC GFF, Professor base, but because he genuinely loves what Thessaloniki and DeMetro says, “All in all, it’s something that simply he’s doing – the research, the screening, the other Greek has to be done. We live in a city where so many collaboration. “The fact is, the Greek cinema festivals… they is so much more countries have foreign film festivals. open in Greece sophisticated and Greece is not in a position to do that and no one goes to complex today than for itself, unfortunately, so, it’s just not see them. Maybe it’s been in the past acceptable not to have Greek because they ’re – not to denigrate representation. Greek films today are not advertised? I the work of the 50s very good!” He then says that although don’t know what and 60s, but it’s not he is the Founding Director 100% the situation is. r e a l l y Prof. DeMetro at the credit for the original concept of the But you’d think s o p h i s t i c a t e d , inauguration of the festival current NYC GFF goes to Stamatis that just out of world-class Ghikas, former Executive Director of curiosity someone cinema…. the Hellenic American Chamber of in a foreign country gave this film an award, don’t Commerce. “This is what happened. you want to go see it? No, it doesn’t happen that way.

At the time I had just retired, and there Stamatis Ghikas who had And a lot of this stuff doesn’t end up on Greek was a conversation going between the idea to revive the festival television. SOME of them do. But a lot of them don’t.

Stamatis and a mutual friend about the BENEFIT OF THE G.F.F.: Now there are some On Demand services in Greece, fact that there had actually been several Greek Film but they’re not very developed yet. Anything that Festivals in New York back the 70s and 80s that were Professor DeMetro shares, “Now I’m not suggesting helps create the market is healthy for the industry, I financed by the Greek government – one in the late that it’s specifically to our credit that this has think, so we’ll see what happens.”

90s too that I remember – but when money started happened, but in the eleven years that we’ve held going towards the Olympics this stopped. So… it this festival eight of the featured Greek-language For a complete listing of films, times and theatres, had been about 7 years since there had been a films have been sold for American distribution as please visit nycgreekfilmfestival.com. festival here in New York and Stamatis had this idea foreign films offered in select cinemas in major cities of starting it up again; this was his inspiration. So in the US. They get the On Demand (Netflix, NEWS & NOTES

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In a beautiful setting with exceptional sound and Watch video https://youtu.be/_8Mryan6zyA from lights, the program which started at 8:30pm sharp AKTINA’s memorable Greek Music Journey 2017 and lasted for almost 2 ½ hours opened with the with Yannis Kotsiras band that played the everlasting instrumental by Manos Hadzidakis, “The Waltz of Lost Dreams” and then Yannis Kotsiras welcomed the crowd with his great hit “7 Glasses”. Then followed loved songs from his latest album “Pseftis Keros” which also became great hits on AKTINA FM. Singing along, the crowd enjoyed among others the hits, “Sta Idia Diktia” and “Kathe Fora”.

PHOTO: ANASTASIOS MENTIS

PHOTO: ANASTASIOS MENTIS

YANNIS KOTSIRAS CAPTIVATES IN AKTINA’S GREEK MUSIC JOURNEY 2017

The performance which received raving reviews and remarkable buzz on social media also stood out for the exceptional love and warmth which Yannis Kotsiras conveyed to his fans who rewarded him from beginning to end with non-stop applause and cheers. Kotsiras also conveyed a very distinct feeling to all with his amazing interpretation of everlasting hits by other renowned and legendary singers.

PHOTO: ANASTASIOS MENTIS

On April 21st, renowned Greek star Yannis Kotsiras was hosted once again by the non-profit cultural organization AKTINA Productions, Inc., at New York’s landmark theater, The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College during a new captivating performance produced by Elena Maroulleti. This benefit concert for public service media, AKTINA FM and AKTINA TV was enjoyed by Greek Americans and non-Greeks alike and was hailed by all in attendance as “one of kind”.

Executive Producer and President of AKTINA, Elena Maroulleti

Accompanied by his distinguished musicians, Vangelis Machairas, bouzouki, baglama, lute, Akis Katsoupakis, piano, keyboards, Kostas Michalos, guitars, Yiannis Grypaios, bass and Nektarios Gavalas drums, Kotsiras who was AKTINA’s guest during Greek Music Journey 2015 returned to the Kaye with a new beautiful program filled with exceptional songs from his rich discography as well as with classic hits by other great singers such as Lavrentis Machairitsas, Pyx-Lax, Nikos Gounaris, Vasilis Tsitsanis among others while he paid once again a special tribute to the late legendary singer Dimitris Mitropanos.

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Yannis Kotsiras and Orchestra

Greek Music Journey 2017 continues on Friday, November 3rd at 8:30pm at the Kaye Playhouse with legendary singer/songwriter Lavrentis Machairitsas, his band and renowned artist Giannis Zouganelis as guest Star. Machairitsas returns to New York for yet At the end of the concert the audience was also another captivating performance that no one should addressed and greeted the concert’s Executive miss. For tickets call 718-545-1151 or buy online Producer and President of AKTINA, Elena Maroulleti aktinafm.com. who after offering a bouquet of flowers to Yannis Kotsiras, praised and thank him and his band members for “the e x c e p t i o n a l performance”. Ms. Maroulleti also expressed special thanks to all fans and supporters of AKTINA who packed the theater to enjoy Kotsiras while she also thanked and acknowledged the sponsors and all AKTINA volunteers.

AKTINA’s volunteer team was comprised by To m S t o u r a s w h o filmed the concert, Thanasis Tzouvelis, lights, Anastasios Mentis, official photographer, Caroline Ioannou, Sr. Production Assistant, Georgia Neophytou, concert reporter, Penny and Doug Chapman, Chrysso Neophytou, Front House Assistants, Vlassis Anastasiou, Production Support and Irene Constantinou, Intern.

Greece, Colonoscopy and ...Air Canada!

Unlike fruit, politics is always bad in August! That doesn't leave us much to do, so this year I decided last-minute to go to Greece in full high season--and I got burned in more ways than one, as expected. Fortunately, I found time for a muchanticipated colonoscopy/endoscopy, which unlike anything else, was offered at a bargain price, compared with the US, that is. As I grow older and restless, medical tourism doesn't seem so exotic anymore and Greece could be a prime destination for that as well! Just think for a moment, especially those of you who are looking for special experiences, who wouldn't appreciate, let's say, a five night stay in Mykonos with ...colonoscopy included! I'm just saying ‌ Another discovery this year, which could be of interest to many of my readers, is Arkoudi island off the island of Lefkada, where I hail and sail from. Inhabited by more than 1000 wild goats, it also has its own water. The family that owns it has put it on sale for just 10 million Euros, a price that barely buys you a decent apartment in Manhattan. Nearby Scorpios island, which is smaller than Arkoudi, was sold by Athena Onassis to the Russian "manure king" for more than 100 million. Any Greek Americans with extra cash take notice before an Arab prince buys it and prohibits his and our women to bathe with bikinis - forget about topless!!! No need to mention what's gonna happen to the goats... (If you think he's gonna eat them, you are ...partially right!)

Finally, I usually don't do this, although I should, but I have to say that Swiss Air is exemplary! From the state of the planes, the ground and air service, the connections, everything was impeccable! Unfortunately, I can't say the same about Air Canada, which was the exact opposite and reminiscent of Third World - with all due respect to the latter given the particular conditions‌ Even talking to one of their, usually oversized, in flight personnel seemed risky because they looked at me ready to fight instead of being of help! No flight entertainment either, and the food, which Canadians are rightly proud of, sucked to say the least!

If there are no other affordable seats in any other airline and absolutely last resort is Air Canada, bring your own TV, 15 books and a Tupperware full of keftedes for the long flight hours ...

by Demetrios Rhompotis

dondemetrio@neomagazine.com

Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera Triumphs and Enthralls Audiences! life through hard rock, melodic metal, and Greek folk music, all churned out by a rock orchestra.

Based on the epic albums "Faith, Struggle, Victory" and "The Starmaker's Prophecy" (due to come out this summer), the performance weaves together theater, dance and visuals.

Photo by Elaine Tuttle

Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera, Anna and Vladimir: The love that ROCKED the world, thrilled audiences this past June with a historical and cultural journey into Greece's past at Flushing Town Hall "Where the Silk Road ends, a romance begins..” The Rock Opera was hosted by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and audiences got to experience for the first time in one of Queens’ most revered landmark theaters three shows.

The Director, Production/Stage Manager, Costume stylist, Prop Master and Narrator was Despina Chrissochos (married to Billy Chrissochos), who First came Anthony and Cleopatra then, there was masterfully helmed the production while seven the drama-drenched Byzantine duo Anna and months pregnant with the couple’s second baby.

Photo by Despina Chrissochos

The protagonists were four of NYC’s most versatile and powerful Hard Rock/Heavy Metal vocalists; the charismatic and powerhouse vocalist Elaine Tuttle who portrayed the role of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita, the delightful Tommy Von Voigt who slayed as Prince Vladimir, the majestic vocal stylings of Ron Iglesias as Emperor Basil II, and the heavenly vocals of Christina Stavrou as Princess Olga. “Rock of Ages” has nothing on this group. And to boot it’s all original music!

Vladimir. "Porphyra" is the rock opera that captures all the history, grandeur and power struggles behind their love story. Set in the year 988AD, the production chronicles the world-rocking marriage of Princess Anna Porphyrogenita of Greece to Grand Prince Vladimir the Great of the medieval Kievan Rus. Their tale of love, war and peace is brought to

The band was composed of Billy Chrissochos on guitar, Mike “Risko” Savvas on guitar and tzoura (the smaller cousin of the bouzouki instrument), who enthralled the audiences with his unique instrument, Jose A. Navia on bass, Richard Khuzami on percussion and what is a tour de force on drums, Mr. Tracey “Tre Boogie” Beavers, holding the entire ship together. The production was graced with three beautiful dancers from the Dena Stevens

Shazadi Dance Project; Choreographer and Principal Dancer Dena Stevens, Principal Dancer and show’s Associate Producer Peishan Lo, and Principal Dancer Alicia Kubeck. The dancers marveled the audiences with sword balancing acts, beautiful costumes and all the right moves.

Recognized and awarded by UNESCO, “Porphyra, a Grecian Rock Opera,” made its smash debut at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall in May 2015 and triumphant Off Broadway debut at the famed West Village Players Theatre in may 2016. Porphyra’s album, “Faith, Struggle, Victory” also won the 2016 Best Rock Album in the Akademia Music Awards.

You can learn more about Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera at Porphyrarockopera.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/PorphyraBand Porphyra Foundation Inc, is a not for profit 501 (c) 3 and every donation (is tax deductable) and purchase of merchandise will go towards helping this production on its way to Broadway.

Photo by Tobi Resnick

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