Looking Through The Prism: 
Greek Culture in a Time of Austerity and Innovation
November 5, 2013, at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

The Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation hosted a fascinating multimedia presentation and discussion about Greek identity, introducing a new generation’s innovative perspective on what it means to be Greek in a time of austerity and crisis. Three short films from the critically acclaimed cross-platform documentary by filmmakers Nikos Katsaounis and Nina Paschalidou, “The Prism,” framed this unique conversation. Ambassador Loucas Tsilas, presently Executive Director of The Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA), Yannis Palaiologos, a renowned journalist, and Nikos Katsaounis, a groundbreaking documentary filmmaker tackled the burning questions raised in the headlines of international media over the past three years. Ioannis Vrailas, the Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, served as the panel moderator. All audience members were invited to a reception with the panelists and panel moderator following the presentation.

New York City Greek Film Festival
October 3 – 16, 2013, at various locations

The Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, the Onassis Foundation (USA), the Agnes Varis Charitable Trust and the HACF presented the Seventh Annual New York City Greek Film Festival. The following films were screened: A.C.A.B. All Cats Are Brilliant (Synharitiria Stous Aisiodoxous), Black Box, Boy Eating The Bird’s Food (To Agori Troei To Fagito Toy Pouliou), Greek American Radicals: The Untold Story (Taxisyneidisia), Hello Anatolia, Joy (Hara), Kisses To The Children (Filia Eis Ta Paidia), Magic Hour, Marjoram (Matzourana), Naked Hands (Gymna Heria), One Step Ahead (Ena Vima Brosta), Papadopoulos & Sons, The Tree And The Swing (To Dentro Kai I Kounia), What If (An), A Bright Shining Sun and Archive.

Pianist George-Emmanuel Lazaridis: In Concert
October 1, 2013, at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Music Center

The Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation and The Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA) presented in concert pianist George-Emmanuel Lazaridis. Mr. Lazaridis’ performances have been characterized as “special enough to be beyond comparison” (BBC Music Magazine, Adrian Jack). The program consisted of Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy in C Major, D760, Op. 15 and Liszt’s Sonata in B minor, S. 178, along with excerpts from Mr. Lazaridis’ own composition “The Trojan Cycle”, including “Achilles Mourning”, “Andromache” and “The Battlefield Toccata”. All audience members were invited to a reception with Mr. Lazaridis following the performance. 

Ambassador John Negroponte: The Peter T. Kourides Lecture Series
June 18, 2013, at The University Club

Ambassador John Negroponte delivered a lecture on life in public service, which was the second lecture in the Peter T. Kourides Series. Ambassador Negroponte has been the quintessential public servant for over four decades, serving at eight different Foreign Service posts, and as an ambassador to five countries. Ambassador Negroponte has also held important positions at the U.S. Department of State and the White House. Reflections on the evening can be read in The National Herald.  A reception followed the lecture.

Mr. Peter T. Kourides was a dedicated and long-time supporter of educational, professional and cultural excellence in the Greek American community. 

Nicholas Gage: A Writer’s Odyssey
March 21, 2013, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral Center

Mr. Gage discussed how his experiences in two worlds, Greece and the United States, moved him to pursue a career as an award winning investigative reporter and foreign correspondent for The New York Times and to become the author of seven acclaimed books including Eleni, A Place for Us and Greek Fire.

Pontian Odyssey: The Endurance and Renewal of an Ancient Culture
February 19, 2013, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral Center

An evening of presentations on a fascinating and enduring culture from Thomas de Waal, Senior Associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington, D.C., Nikos Michailidis, Ph.D candidate, Department of Anthropology, Princeton University, and Eleftherios (Ted) Kostans, award winning photographer and co-founder of Cosmos-Philly.