WHITESTONE, NY – The Society of Kastorians ‘Omonoia’ NY hosted Taverna Night on September 27 outdoors at its Cultural Center in Whitestone. The well-attended event which included great food, wine, and live Greek music by Melodia Band, was held for a good cause with net proceeds to benefit the Queens College Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies. Andy Tsiolas, chairman of the event, gave the welcoming remarks and thanked everyone for attending in support of the Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Center and especially thanked the main sponsor First Central Savings Bank.
Society of Kastorians ‘Omonoia’ NY President Christos Yioves in his remarks noted that the event supporting the Center and promoting Hellenism. He also thanked First Central Savings Bank and its representatives who were present and wished everyone a wonderful time.
Professor Gerasimus Katsan, Director of the Queens College Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, and Assistant Director Dr. Maria Athanasopoulou both shared their greetings at the event, thanking everyone for attending and for supporting the Center.
Prof. Katsan said: “Thank you very much for the honor that you’re doing for us tonight, for your help, for your support, for your belief in Queens College and in the Modern Greek program there.”
“It’s really important for us to have the support of the community,” he continued. “We feel that it’s important that we reach out to the community, be a part of the community, that we serve the community, so thank you again very much for your help. I’d also like to give a special thanks to Demos Siokis, who has been an active member of our advisory board and has been there to support us, very much so, with his help we also have this wonderful night tonight, thank you so much for your support, we really appreciate it.”
Dr. Athanasopoulou also thanked everyone, in Greek, for all the support, Mr. Siokis, and the Kastorians who have always supported the Center and its students. She added that she often speaks with the students of the program about various topics, culture and Greek civilization, observing that the Greek culture is transmitted well and many of the students often pursue advanced degrees at other prestigious institutions such as Columbia University. Dr. Athanasopoulou noted how proud it makes them to see the young people’s progress.
The event continued with music and dancing well into the night and everyone looking forward to the next event.
The Society’s President Christos Yioves told The National Herald that the Society has a long history with the newspaper going back many years. He also mentioned that the Society is working on a book which they hope to publish soon recording their history for the future generations.
More information about the Society of Kastorians ‘Omonoia’ NY is available online: https://kastoria.us.
