Εκδήλωση του Συλλόγου Ελλήνων Εκπαιδευτικών «Προμηθεύς»

Reproduction: http://www.greeknewsonline.com/ekdilosi-tou-syllogou-ellinon-ekpedeftikon-promithefs/

Νέα Υόρκη.- Της Ρεβέκκας Παπαδοπούλου

Ενα εκλεκτό του μέλος, τη συγγραφέα, δημοσιογράφο και εκπαιδευτικό, Αικατερίνη Τσούνη – Σιόλα, τίμησε ο Σύλλογος Ελλήνων Εκπαιδευτικών “Ο Προμηθεύς” στη διάρκεια πανηγυρικής εκδήλωσης που διοργάνωσε σε συνεργασία με άλλους ομογενειακούς φορείς την Κυριακή 24 Σεπτεμβρίου στο κατάμεστο Ηπειρώτικο Σπίτι στην Αστόρια. 

Στην πρώτη εκδήλωση με αφορμή την έναρξη της νέας σχολικής χρονιάς, ο “Προμηθέας” ανακοίνωσε και επίσημα την ίδρυση Συνταξιοδοτικού Ταμείου αναγνώρισης του Ελληνα δασκάλου. Ο πρόεδρός του Δημοσθένης Τριανταφύλλου χαρακτήρισε την πρωτοβουλία αυτή ιστορική και κάλεσε όλους τους εκπαιδευτικούς των Ημερήσιων, Απογευματινών και Σαββατιανών Σχολείων να εγγραφούν στο σύλλογο και να στηρίξουν αυτή την προσπάθεια για να έχουν δικαίωμα συνταξιοδότησης.

Οπως ανέφερε ο κ. Τριανταφύλλου, ο σύλλογος συνεχίζει τις προσπάθειες του για την επίλυση των επαγγελματικών προβλημάτων των Ελλήνων εκπαιδευτικών στα σχολεία της Ομογένειας, κάνοντας ένα όραμά τους, το συνταξιοδοτικό ταμείο, πραγματικότητα, ενώ εξέφρασε ευγνωμοσύνη προς τον δρα Αριστοτέλη Μιχόπουλο, καθηγητή του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου στη Βοστώνη, ο οποίος με δωρεά δέκα χιλιάδων δολαρίων έβαλε τις βάσεις για τη δημιουργία του νέου ταμείου.

Ευχαριστίες εξέφρασε και προς τους υπόλοιπους χορηγούς, ανάμεσά τους η κοινότητα της Αναλήψεως στο Φέρβιου της Νέας Ιερσέης, ο επιχειρηματίας Ντίνος Ράλλης, ο οδοντίατρος Νικόλαος Ρωμανίδης, οι εκδόσεις σχολικών βιβλίων Παπαλοϊζου, η διευθύντρια του Ημερήσιου Σχολείου “Βασίλειος Σπυρόπουλος” στο Φλάσινγκ, Αθηνά Κρομμύδα και ο γιατρός Πίτερ Μπαλτατζής.

Αναφερόμενος στην καθηγήτρια Αικατερίνη Τσούνη – Σιόλα, την οποία παρουσίασε ο γενικός γραμματέας του “Προμηθέα”, Αλέξανδρος Κολόμβος, είπε ότι έχει ξεχωρίσει για το συγγραφικό και εκπαιδευτικό της έργο και μέσω των αμέτρητων άρθρων και των βιβλίων της προβάλλει και προωθεί την Ελληνική Γλώσσα και την κληρονομιά.

Εντονα συγκινημένη η κ. Τσούνη -Σιόλα ευχαρίστησε για την τιμή στο πρόσωπό της και συνεχάρη τον “Προμηθέα” για την πρωτοβουλία ίδρυσης του συνταξιοδοτικού ταμείου. Μίλησε για τις ρίζες της οικογένειάς της στη Λήμνο, τη Χίο και τη Σμύρνη, για τους δεσμούς με την πατρίδα που δεν χάνονται από γενιά σε γενιά, για τα μαθητικά χρόνια στο Σχολείο του Αγίου Δημητρίου στην Αστόρια και το Bryant HS και τις σπουδές της στο Κουίνς Κόλετζ. Ξεκίνησε όπως είπε να διδάσκει Ελληνικά στο Απογευματινό Σχολείο της κοινότητας της Μεταμορφώσεως στο Μάττιτακ του Λονγκ Αιλαντ το 1975-1977 και αργότερα, για δεκατρία χρόνια, στο St. John’s University. Αναφέρθηκε στο δημοσιογραφικό της έργο και τις συνεργασίες της με πολλά έντυπα μέσα της Ομογένειας, ενώ τόνισε ότι σκοπός του συγγραφικού της έργου, μαζί με τον σύζυγό της, καθηγητή Γιάννη Σιόλα, είναι να δώσει στους ξένους αναγνώστες της μια γεύση Ελληνισμού.

“Είναι χρέος όλων μας η διατήρηση της κληρονομιάς, της Ελληνικής μας γλώσσας και της ιστορίας μας”, τόνισε η κ. Τσούνη – Σιόλα και κλείνοντας ευχαρίστησε θερμά το συζυγό της και την κόρη τους Δέσποινα για την στήριξη όλα αυτά τα χρόνια, καθώς και όλους τους συναδέλφους της εκπαιδευτικούς που την τίμησαν με την παρουσία τους.

Τιμητικές διακηρύξεις επιδόθηκαν στην κ. Τσούνη – Σιόλα από το δημοτικό συμβούλιο της Νέας Υόρκης, γραφείο του οικονομικού ελεγκτή της Νέας Υόρκης, από την πολιτειακή Βουλή και τη Γερουσία της Νέας Υόρκης, το B’Nai B’rith International, από τους ομογενειακούς φορείς “Hellenic News of America”, “Hellenic American National Council”, “Mid Atlantic Greek-American Foundation”, “Hellenic Paideia Association of America” και την Ομοσπονδία Ελληνοαμερικανών Εκπαιδευτικών.

Χαιρετισμούς στην εκδήλωση απηύθυναν -μεταξύ άλλων- η κ. Μαρία Μακεδών, διευθύντρια του Γραφείου Παιδείας της Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας, η Δρ Θάλεια Χατζηγιάννογλου, συντονίστρια Εκπαίδευσης στο Γενικό Προξενείο της Ελλάδας, η κ. Βασιλική Φιλιώτη, πρόεδρος του συλλόγου “Ελληνική Παιδεία” και ο εκδότης της εφημερίδας “Hellenic News”, Παύλος Κοτρώτσιος, συγχαίροντας την τιμώμενη, αλλά και όλους τους εκπαιδευτικούς για το έργο που επιτελούν στα σχολεία της Ομογένειας και ευχόμενοι καλη επιτυχία στο νέο συνταξιοδοτικό ταμείο.

Το μουσικό μέρος της εκδήλωσης ανέλαβαν η σοπράνο Ολγα Ξανθοπούλου με τη συνοδεία του Στέφανου Χαραλαμπίδη στην κιθάρα και της Ερασμίας Βουκελάτου.

Μετά το τιμητικό γεύμα που προσφέρθηκε με την υποστήριξη της εφημερίδας “Hellenic News of America” και του “Hellenic National Council”, τα μέλη του “Προμηθέα” είχαν μια ξεχωριστή ευκαιρία να ξεναγηθούν στο Μουσείο Ηπειρώτικης Κληρονομιάς.

Loyalty and Friendship Expressed at September 24th Testimonial By Catherine Tsounis

Reproduction:  http://www.qgazette.com/

Prof Catherine Tsounis presented With the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” award by the Board.One hundred and fifty persons packed the Heritage Museum of Epirus at 25-14 Broadway, New York on Sunday September 24th to show loyalty and respect for the Greek language, culture and Greek Orthodox faith in the United States of America. The Hellenic News of America, Hellenic American National Council, Prometheus Greek Teachers Association, The Heritage Museum of Epirus and Hellenic Paideia Association of America will sponsor a Greek Heritage Education Luncheon honored Catherine Tsounis, Journalist/Writer/Educator of the Greek Language and Culture. Soprano Olga Xanthopoulos, internationally famous soprano, sang Tzivaeri, to honor Ms. Tsounis Asia Minor roots. Pianist/violinist/guitarist Erasmia Voulelatos added popular Greek melodies.       

A power point presentation was presented by Prof. Tsounis describing her roots, highlights Honoree showing her Powerpoint presentation.of her 53-year career in Journalism from a High School sophomore, Real Estate Broker at Andrew Stype Real Estate in Mattituck, NY, and appreciation to sponsors and their staffs. The theme was “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others’ by Pericles. “I was deeply touched by the round of applause for my immigrant grandfather, Vlassios Tsounis, who served in the U.S. army in 1914,” said Prof. Tsounis. “He was a decorated purple heart veteran with the equivalent of the silver star. My father, George Tsounis was a second-generation purple heart recipient and a WWII prisoner of war for one year in East Germany. I was taught ‘my country right or wrong”. Because 75% of my family were refugees from the shores of Asia Minor, losing their lives because they remained Greek and Greek Orthodox, I felt I had a moral duty to perpetuate the Greek language, culture and Orthodox religion. My slide program showed my commitment to Hellenism since I was a teenager during the Vietnam War.” The September 24, 2017 PowerPoint Presentation by Catherine Tsounis was assisted by: Jerry Matovcik, under Director Jeff Walden of Mattituck Library, N.Y.; edited by Despina Siolas, MD/Ph.D.; program direction: Thanasis Tsuvelis, Michael Giakumelos MGTV USA and Prof. Alexander Colombos, Technology Director and Secretary of the Board of the Greek Teachers Association Prometheus.

Powerpoint slide OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL: THE ASSUMPTION AND ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRALS OF MOSCOW'S KREMLIN, reprinted in Pravoslavie.ru and circulating 60 million Russian Orthodox Christians.A lavish luncheon, complements of the Sponsors, was served by the Greek Teachers Association Prometheus Board and members. Mrs. Chrisoula Zicopoulos, Director of the Heritage Museum of Epirus, Eva Kantlis, Vice-President, Society Epirotans “Anagenesis” and Panagiotis Vlassis helped in preparing the hall. All were invited to visit the Heritage Museum of Epirus. Irene Cheung, Founder and President of the Key Luck Club, has been assisting the societies with community support in Queens. A Prometheus Greek Teachers Fund was launched. Dr. Aristotle Michopoulos, Professor and Director of Greek Studies at Hellenic College, donated $10,000 along with other donors. For a complete list of donors and information, email dtrianta@aol.com.

Packed hall.The following Awards were given from The Hellenic News of America, Hellenic American National Council, Mid Atlantic Greek-American Foundation for Sergiani for Epirus, Prometheus Greek Teachers Association, Hellenic Paideia Association of America, and Federation of Hellenic American Teachers. Mrs. Elaine Xiaojiang Fan, Queens Borough Director of the City of New York Comptroller's Office of Scott M. Stringer presented a 20 inch framed Commendation "for her many years of exceptional journalism, reporting on issues that matter to New York City’s Greek American community; for her commitment to preserving and promoting Greece’s rich history and vibrant culture; for her outstanding service as an educator at St. John’s University; for sharing the diversity that Greek Americans bring to our City’s  cultural landscape with readers; for honoring Greece’s extraordinary contributions to the world; gaining the respect, appreciation and gratitude of all she has worked with; and for her tremendous contributions to the City of New York. Scott M. Stringer, Comptroller, September 24, 2017."

Mrs. Irene Cheung, President of the Key Luck Club of Bayside, New York said "Catherine Dr. Dr. Thalia Chadzigiannoglou, Education Counselor of the Greek Consulate of New York (left to right), Mrs. Maria Makedon, Director of Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education; President Irene Cheung of the Key Luck Club, Mrs. Elain Xiaojiang Fan, Queens Borough Director of the City of New York Comptroller's Office and honoree Prof Catherine Tsounis.Tsounis is a part of our community. I present this Merit Citation on behalf of Barry S. Grodenchik of the City Council." The following citations were given from: Nicole Malliotakis, NYS Assembly; Aravella Simotas, NYS Assembly; Edward C. Braunstein, NYS Assembly; Paul Valone, NY City Council; Costa Constantinides, NY City Council and Michael N. Gianaris, NYS Senate District. B'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL President Prof. Asher J. Matathias presented  "the happy augury that is the Greek Heritage Luncheon honoring Prof. Catherine Tsounis Siolas who has achieved distinctions as a writer, journalist and educator."

The program opened with greetings by the following persons: Mr. Timoleon Kokkinos, Master of Ceremonies; Dr. Aristotle Michopoulos; President Demosthenes Triantafillou; Dr. Thalia Chadzigiannoglou, Education Counselor of the Greek Consulate of New York; Mrs. Maria Makedon, Director of Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education; HNA Publisher Paul Kotrotsios, Queens Gazette Publisher Tony Barsamian; President Vasiliki Filiotis of Hellenic Paideia of America who represented ‎Stella Kokolis, President of the Federation of Greek American Educators, Mrs. Elaine Xiaojiang Fan, Queens Borough Director of the City of New York Comptroller's Office and Mrs. Irene Cheung, President of the Key Luck Club of Bayside.

Master of Ceremonies Timoleon Kokkinos, a popular Astoria educator and former principal, Educator Maria Marketos of Astoria (left to right) and Dr. Despina Siolas.thanked all for coming. Dr. Aristotle Michopoulos, Professor and Director of Greek Studies at Hellenic College, encouraged all to join the Prometheus Greek Teachers Fund. Dr. Thalia Chadzigiannoglou, Education Counselor of the Greek Consulate of New York expressed “sincere appreciation for Prof. Tsounis’ dedication to Greek education. I invite all to aid Greek education.” Dr. Chadzigiannoglou initiated the first formal pedagogical programs which she taught free of charge to hundreds of Greek teachers in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. Mrs. Maria Makedon, Director of Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education, thanked the honoree for her dedication to Hellenism and the Greek Orthodox church. Mrs. Makedon with her Director the late Emmanuel Hatziemmanuel licensed Catherine Tsounis with a Greek Teachers license in 1975, aiding her in administering the first Greek regent exam in eastern Long Island.

Principal Mrs. Athena Kromidas of William Spyropoulos School, Principal George Kanelopoulos of Stephn and Arete Cherpelis Greek Afternoon School and friends.Queens Gazette Publisher Tony Barsamian said “It is a privilege and a honor to be in a room with so many dignitaries and beautiful people from so many parts of Queens and New York and so many different things we do. We are here today to honor Cathy. I have published hundreds and hundreds of her articles in the Queens Gazette, weekend and week out. I can say Cathy is the closest thing to a work of art. She is always looked at, examined, sometimes controversial. Sometimes!  But always gets your attention. She connects to people, that is the success story behind her writing. It has been a wonderful experience to work with her. Her writing as myriad and as varied as going across countries, continents, oceans, seas, worlds, restaurants, churches, everything and anything. She has always been giving everything she has ever written her best, because she is the best. Thank you for being with us all these years.”

Physical Therapist Kosta Koutsoubis (2nd from left) and members of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Flushing. All photos are by Despina Siolas, MD./Ph.D.PHOTOS BY DESPINA SIOLAS Md/Ph.DPresident Vasiliki Filiotis of Hellenic Paideia of America who represented ‎Stella Kokolis, President of the Federation of Greek American Educators congratulated the honoree for her unselfish donation of all Greek language and Greek culture projects. . Dr. John and Emily Antonopoulos, said “Catherine Tsounis is worthy of the honor she is receiving today. Her contribution to various community issues, especially in regard to education topics, is exceptional. She works without expecting personal gain, showing her unselfish character. We wish Ms. Tunis continuous success in her community service and journalism.”
“We did this for Prof. Tsounis-Siolas and through her to all the Greek Teachers. It does take a team and collective effort to succeed,” said Mr. Paul Kotrotsios, Founder & President
of The Hellenic News of America and Immediate Past President of the Hellenic American National Council. The meeting-Luncheon-Presentation was superb! Kudos to Katerina Tsounis-Siolas. She deserves the best, because she is the best! Thank you, President Demosthenes Triantafillou of the Greek Teachers Association ‘Prometheus’ for taking and materializing my initiative: to do something for the Greek teachers and honor Prof. Tsounis-Siolas. Dr. Panayiotis Baltatzis, the Secretary General of the Hellenic American National Council attended the event.

Mr. Kotrotsios said “The Hellenic News of America Awards Committee (HNA) and Hellenic American National Council (HANC) honors Prof. Catherine Tsounis, Journalist/Writer/Educator of the Greek language and culture for documenting the history of the Greek Diaspora in America. Thank you for all you do for the younger generations, the future of America. She is awarded ‘The Educator of the Year Award’ that will be presented on November 12, 2017 at the 30th Anniversary of the Hellenic News of America at the Merion in Cinnaminson, New Jersey and the September 24th Prometheus Luncheon at the Anagenesis Epirus Cultural Museum, Astoria, N.Y. by myself and Secretary General Dr. Panayiotis Baltatzis who represent Drs. Spiros and Emily Spireas Chairpersons of Sigmapharm Laboratories and HANC President Bill Mataragas.  All interested in attending the 30th Anniversary of the Hellenic News of America and buy a journal page, can email https://hellenicnews.com/events/30-years-anniversary/#tickets.

Publisher Paul Kotrotsios accomplished a remarkable fundraising effort for the event. Prometheus President Prof. Demosthenes Triantafillou spent five months and sleepless nights to produce a flawless testimonial event. The September 24th, 2017 Testimonial for Catherine Tsounis Siolas and the Fortieth Anniversary Luncheon held on February 28th, 2016 at Terrace on the Park, are the highlights of Prof. Triantafillou’s legacy as President of the Greek Teacher’s Association Prometheus. He mobilized community leaders, educators and parents from Astoria, New York and New Jersey to attend in a packed hall. Comments from the audience were: “what an incredible event!”; “over fifteen awards given” and “you could have heard a pin drop through the entire event.” Prof. Alexander Colombos, Secretary General and Technology Director and the Board of the Greek Teachers Association ‘Prometheus’ said “You inspired us all Prof. Tsounis!  You deserved that event and we were all united to make sure we don't let you down. Physical therapist Kosta Koutsoubis said we thank Prof Tsounis “for her superior efforts. She provides a pillar of strength towards the Hellenic language, encouraging Hellenic history. She is catapulting our youth into a Brighter future.” Both Prof. Colombos and PT Koutsoubis are from villages in Chios that faces the honoree’s lost homeland of Tseme, Asia Minor. For more online information on Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus”,visit http://www.greekteachersprometheus.org/.
The Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” Board and members include: Very Rev. Demetrios Louras, St. Demetrios Cathedral, Astoria, Prayer; Executive Board, Demosthenes Triantafillou, President, Apostolos Fountas, Vice President, Alexandros Colombos, Secretary General & Director of Technology, Dr. John G. Siolas, treasurer; Board members, George Kanellopoulos, Timoleon Kokkinos, Sofia Kostaras, Meropi Kyriacou and George Melikokis; Alternate members, Cathy Koutsoupaki, Emmanuela Christodoulou, Vaia Tjionas; Advisory Board, Maria Makedon, Dr. John Antonopoulos; Auditing Committee, Spyros Koutsoupakis, Georgia Papadopoulou and Parent Liaison, PT Kosta Koutsoubis.

Facebook links:
https://m.facebook.com/despina.siolas/videos/10102845888403784/
https://m.facebook.com/despina.siolas/videos/10102845894616334/
https://m.facebook.com/despina.siolas/videos/10102845892485604/
https://m.facebook.com/catherine.tsounis/videos/1451605368259216/
https://m.facebook.com/catherine.tsounis/videos/1451583131594773/
https://m.facebook.com/catherine.tsounis/videos/1451581188261634/
https://m.facebook.com/catherine.tsounis/videos/1451569228262830/
https://m.facebook.com/catherine.tsounis/videos/1451542004932219/
https://m.facebook.com/HellenicNews/videos/1363398323770488/      barsamian
https://m.facebook.com/catherine.tsounis?sk=approve&highlight=1015591968...
Internet links:
https://youtu.be/24TF2XwUTYY?t=24- e.kirikas
https://www.ekirikas.com/%CE%B9%CE%B4%CF%81%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%84%CE%...

October 2017 Liturgy for People with Special Needs

International Museum Day Celebrated At Epirus Anagenesis Society Heritage Museum By Catherine Tsounis

2013-05-29 / Features

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The Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis” and the Ladies’ Auxiliary “Souliotisses.

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) celebrated International Museum Day on May 18th, 2013.  Museums display and protect the “Memory of the World”, sharing a common vision of safeguarding heritage for the benefit of society. “We celebrated International Museum Day on Saturday, May 18 by having the community visit the Heritage Banner tracing origin to 1934.Museum of Epirus between 11am and 5pm,” explained Chrisoula Zikopoulos, Director of the Heritage Museum of Epirus. “Founded in 2003 under the auspices of the Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis” and the Ladies’ Auxiliary “Souliotisses,” the Heritage Museum of Epirus is the only functioning Greek Heritage Museum in the New York metropolitan area. We encourage all to explore the museum’s rich collection of loom-woven textiles, traditional clothing, hand-crafted jewelry, agricultural and household tools and photographs.”

       Leaders, diplomat, professors from the University of Yiannina and Museum donors.     Director Zikopoulos said “the museum is located in the heart of the Greek community of Astoria, Queens. It is dedicated to preserving the culture and cultural traditions of Epirus, Greece. We are making Hellenic heritage accessible in ways that enrich present and future generations through exhibitions and public programs. I took over as Director two months ago. We must open the museum to the public. This is our gift to our children. I pledge to bring our children to our pride, our treasure, the Heritage Museum of Epirus. No one has what we have. We recently celebrated the one hundred year Costumes of Epirotan women.anniversary of the liberation of Yiannina in 1913.” The museum is located on the third floor of the Epirotan Cultural Center at 2514 Broadway (between. 29th St. & Crescent St.) in Astoria.  It is conveniently located 3 blocks from the Broadway stop on the N and Q subway lines.

        Museum Curator Anna Konstatatos (center) described the wedding outfits to writer (left) and Director Zikopoulos (right).    Mr. Christos Kosovitsas is the Museum’s founder and Director Emeritus. In his welcome address, he said “the idea of a museum was born at a general meeting. We have a tradition that Odysseus had come to the Oracle of Dodoni to take prophecies regarding his return to Ithaca. We were helped by other organizations to make our dream a reality.”

            The shrine of Dodona was regarded as the oldest Hellenic oracle, possibly dating toTraditional Epirotan livingroom. the second millennium BCE according to Herodotus. Situated in a remote region away from the main Greek poleis, it was considered second only to the oracle of Delphi in prestige. Priestesses and priests in the sacred grove interpreted the rustling of the oak (or beech) leaves to determine the correct actions to be taken. Aristotle considered the region around Dodona to have been part of Hellas and the region where the Hellenes originated.[2] The oracle was first under the control of the Thesprotians before it passed into the hands of the Molossians.[3] It remained an important religious sanctuary until the rise of Christianity during the Late Roman era. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodona).

        Exhibit of agrarian life.    Prominent persons attended including : Evangelos Kyriakopoulos of the Greek Consulate; Samouel Zisis, Greece Trade Attaché, Chrysostomos Dimou, President and Chairman of World Council Epirotes; Efthemios Pappas, President of Anagenesis; Persey Kouloumbinis; Eva Kantlis; International Artist Marianthi Raptis. George Lolis, Treasurer of the Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis”, said “we are Epirotans who are proud of our heritage. We want to show the next generation where we come from and our ethos.” Mr. Paul Kotrotsios, publisher of Hellenic News of America and Hermes International Expo believes “it is a great honor to be at this celebration. We are encouraging all youth, groups, organizations and Phil-Hellenes to come and see our unique collection of Epirus.  Today, we have the donors of the museum’s exhibits. I am here to help make the Epirus Museum a meeting place for Hellenic culture. The first Greeks, the ‘Elli’, came from Epirus.” According to the ancient "The Flight from Parga”, courtesy of former Benaki Museum librarian Pitsa Tsakonas.Greek historian Strabo, Epirus was inhabited by 
inhabited by 14 Greek-speaking tribes...." href="http://www.smilitimetravels.com/extented.html"fourteen Greek-speaking tribes. They expanded out of this area into mainland Greece and the Peloponesse around the 12th century B.C.

             Mr. Kotrotsios told me that my name, Tsounis, is a two syllabus name, characteristic of Epirotan family. It is probably true since the first Greeks came from Epirus. The Encyclopedia Britannica states “In the Neolithic period Epirus was populated by seafarers along the coast and by shepherds and hunters from the southwestern Balkans who brought with them the Greek language. These people buried their leaders in large mounds containing shaft graves. Similar burial chambers were subsequently used by the Mycenaean civilization, suggesting that the founders of Mycenae may have come from Epirus and central Albania,” (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/190156/Epirus).

            Community leaders who are primary sources were present. “Under my leadership we bought the building that was one floor,” recalled President of Anagenesis Efthemios Pappas. “In 1988, we completed the second floor that houses the Epirus Museum. All members and friends lent the Syllogos (Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis”) five thousand each. We did not have to take a five hundred thousand dollar mortgage because of everyone’s generosity. We repaid all donors. We had two wonderful tenants who helped us cover our expenses, motivating us to create our Museum. We invite all to come and call us at 718 274-3753 and email at anagenesis@verizon.net.

            Chrysostomos Dimou, President and Chairman of the World Council of Epirotes Abroad, said “we are the people who make the first steps. We want to give back to our Patritha (country). Our youth must get involved. This museum is important to us. Our traditions are kept alive. We walk jointly with the University of Yiannina. Epirus has been hit hard by the economic crisis in Greece.” Mrs. Eva Kantlis, the backbone of the Ladies’ Auxiliary “Souliotisses,” believes “Epirotes are straight, trust worthy. They have logic and honesty of the highest degree.” Mr. Takis Zikopoulos, my teacher from St. Demetrios Parochial School in Astoria and his late brothers epitomize these qualities.

            Eleni Lolis is a Yianniotisa from Yiannina. “I have been here from 1968,” she recalled. “As President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary ‘Souliotisses’, we helped organize the Museum. It is our joy to show our heritage. We invite Epirotans and friends to come.” Their stand at Souli was a true tale of mythic proportions. Revolution was raging all over Greece. Americans were impressed by the courageous women of Souli. They fought war like men. Many compared them with the Amazons of Greek mythology. When the Souliotisses realized their village was lost, they danced the immortal “Horos tou Zalongou”. Over 50 women, holding their children in their arms, danced on the cliff at Zalongo. One by one, reaching the leading side of the circle dance, they threw themselves over the cliff. The story of the mass suicide at Zalongo soon became known in the whole region and throughout Europe. This song of freedom is still remembered today. (http://fotios.org/files/fotios.cc/papers/articles/greece_contingency/par...)

     Museum Donors Sophia and Pavlos Nikolos       Museum Curator Anna Konstatatos described the wedding outfits, Epirotan clothes and jewelry. “Epirus has a harsh terraine, with mountains,” she explained. “There were no factories. Life was agricultural. The donors brought artifacts of their agricultural background.” Epirus for the Greeks represented the "epitome" of a hardy, often inhospitable land that was unsuited for cultivation. Hard labor was needed to yield a livelihood. It was “eýandros”, the land of hardy, good men. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus).  Epirus produced a large percentage of immigrants who amassed large fortunes. They gifted their wealth to the Greek nation either to fund the armed struggle against the Ottomans or to provide valuable structure for the creation of a new State. Epirotan Benefactors rebuilt Greece.

            These Benefactors included the following persons: Evangelos Zappas rebuilt the Panathenean Stadium and the Zappeion mansion; Arsakis, who also served as foreign minister and prime minister of Romania, built a women's college on Panepistimiou, the "Arsakeion"; Tositsas built the Athens Polytechnic, scene of the famous uprising and the Eye Hospital; George Stavrou founded and directed the National Bank of Greece; the Zosimades brothers built the Athens Numismatic Museum; Evangelos Averoff, donated moneys towards the refurbishment of the Panathenaean Stadium, built the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, the military academy, a jail, horticultural schools in Larissa, the Athens Odeon and most famously, the warship Georgios Averoff, which saw service during the First World War, created schools, hospitals and churches for the Greek community of Alexandria, Egypt and Baron Sinas built the Athens Astronomical Observatory. Their financial funding was astronomical. Most of these institutions are in operation today, because of the interest accumulated from the original cash deposit (http://diatribe-column.blogspot.com/2009/01/benefactors.html). The Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis” and the Ladies’ Auxiliary “Souliotisses,” are continuing this tradition of giving back to society through the Heritage Museum of Epirus.

            Museum Donors Sophia and Pavlos Nikolos were present. “We are from a village outside of Yiannina," Mrs. Nikolos said. “I donated my Mother’s wedding dress, my brother, Evangelos Roussis’ geleko (vest), my mother-in-law’s and mother’s belt and the prosphoro stamp (holy bread stamp). It is an honor to see my family traditional clothes and personal possessions in a museum.” Mr. Pavlo pointed out his family’s brass candili (Lantern) at the Center’s fireplace. “We did not have electricity,” he explained. “We read under the light of the candili. I brought it to America with me, remembering childhood memories. We have a portrait of His All Holiness Patriarch Athenagoras, who helped Epirus and the United States.” A significant amount of the museum pieces were donated by the Nikolos family, making them one of the primary donors.

            The following are shown in many of the exhibits: costumes from Yiannina, Souli and Pogoni; the Chapraki decorative piece and costume from; decorative belts from 1850; handmade jewelry that include brooches, pins, bracelets and earrings; agricultural and shepherding tools; replica of Ali Pasha’s pipe; cooking utensils and other items form everyday folk art.

            Marianthi Raptis, international Epirotan artist, is president of the Dolou Pogoniou Society of Epirus. “On Sunday, May 19th, we will have an artoclasia (holy bread blessing) at Holy Cross Church of Whitestone in memory of Agios Christoforou, the patron of our village,” she said. Traditions are kept alive in the USA by Epirotan Societies.

            A modern Epirotan hero is Vasilis Bollanos, the Mayor of Himara, of the Greek speaking region of Northern Epirus, Albania. A low key person, Mayor Bollanos has put his life on the line representing freedom in the former Iron Curtain country. Electrician Billy Litos, a Northern Epirus immigrant, views him as a national hero of Hellenism. “Being a hero is staying in a hostile political area and championing the right to practice one’s Hellenic culture, Greek language and Greek Orthodox religion,” he said. “Vasilis Bollanos is that man.”

            Pyrros Dimas, “the Lion of Himare” is the Greek weight-lifting athlete who will go down in history as the only person to win four gold medals in his field. Pyrros Dimas has carved his own legend. He is famous for his 1992 summer Olympic victory, when he shouted “Gia tin Ellada” (For Greece).  The Olympian is named after the legendary King Pyrrhus of Epirus. Pyrrhos of Epirus, who lived from 319 B.C.-272 BC, was a Greek general and statesman of the Hellenistic era. He was king of the Greek tribe of Molossians. King Pyrrhos was an opponent of Rome. Some of his successful battles cost him heavy losses from which the term “Pyrrhic victory” originated.

             Dionysios Tsokos oil painting, “The Flight from Parga” (1847), is on display in the National Gallery of Athens. The painting, that was obtained through the help of former Benaki librarian Pitsa Tsakonas, displays a boat navigated by a maritime captain in a turbulent sea. The boat has average persons: despondent young, middle age and old in Greek dress, with a priest holding an icon and cross. Many Americans are descendants of refugees fleeing their homes with few belongings. This oil painting shows the pain of Epirotes escaping their homeland with their religious faith. The Heritage Museum of Epirus expresses the universal values of love of one’s roots.

Links:

http://icom.museum/press-releases/press-release/article/launch-of-intern... National Museum Day

http://www.smilitimetravels.com/ancient.html - first Greeks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i23Xkm7mNKg- Souliotisses song

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souliote_War_(1803)- Souli war.

http://www.ohfs.org/costumecollection.htm#epirotan – Male Epirotan costume

http://www.add.gr/jewel/elka/page34.htm - Epirotan jewelry.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/485118/Pyrrhus- Pyrrhus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus – Epirus

http://www.about-ioannina.gr/Dodoni_en/legends.htm - legends and traditions.

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Ρίγη συγκίνησης για την τελετή θεμελίωσης του Αγίου Νικολάου στο Παγκόσμιο Εμπορικό Κέντρο