By Catherine Tsounis
An extraordinary Christmas zoom program of Greek schools in the USA, Europe and Africa were presented on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The Federation of Hellenic American Educators and Cultural Association of America and the Institute of Greek Language of the University of Western Macedonia, Greece hosted the event. Carols in Greek and English was sung by children on 3 continents. A feeling of pride and identity was expressed by children in their Christmas celebrations and traditions.
‘Religion and the Greek language unite all of the Greek Diaspora communities,” said Mrs. Stella Kokolis, President of The Federation of Hellenic American Educators and Cultural Association of America. A special tribute to President Kokolis leadership on education was expressed by all speakers. The Holiday season is a time connection for Greeks worldwide, through century old traditions. From Christmas to January 6th, traditions strengthen Greek communities in their heritage. Traditions are a bridge to memories of Greece.
Peace and no war were echoed by children and their educators on 3 continents, referring to the economic hardships of the wars. I was impressed with third, fourth and 5th generation Students in African Greek schools singing Greek/ English carols. The Greek community of Albania is holding on to their Greek traditions. Children were cooking traditional Greek foods in their celebrations.
The program included the following education, diplomatic leaders, and universities: Welcome by Ms. Stella Kokolis, President of Hellenic American Educators and Cultural Associations of America; Program Moderator Spyridon Bouras, PhD in Applied Linguistics, member of the “Timenos” Research Center of MFA, ; Zetta Makri, Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports of Greece; Ioannis Katsaros, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports of Greece; Panagiotis Passas, Head of the General Directorate of International, European Affairs, Education of the Diaspora and Intercultural Education; Ifigenia Kanara, Consul General of Greece in New York; Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, Director of the Office of Education of the Holy Archdiocese of America; Ioannis Chrysoulakis, Professor Emeritus Chairman of the Ahepa National Committee – former Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Philippos Fortomas, Member of Parliament for Cyclades and Chairman of the Special Standing Committee of the Hellenic Parliament for Hellenism in the Diaspora; Eleni Griva, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Outreach and Holistic Care, University of Western Macedonia, Director of the Greek Language Institute of the University of Western Macedonia; George Vlachos, Coordinator of Greek Language Education, Johannesburg; Dimitra Patronidou, Education Coordinator at the Consulate General of Greece in New York; Mrs. Vasiliki Filiotis, President of the Hellenic Education Organization of America; Christina Tsardikou, President of the Greek Cultural Event “Nostos” in Argentina; Konstantina Kapetanaki, Representative of Hellenic Classical Charter School in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
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The Greek Diaspora community schools that participated included: Zografeio Lyceum of Constantinople with Ioannis Demirtzoglou, Principal of Zografeio Lyceum , Athens; Greek Schools of Cairo, Egypt; Georgios Kokorelis, North Africa and Middle East Education Coordinator; Athenian Academy Clearwater and Fort 13.15PM Myers, Florida Sevasti Varitimidou, General Manager of the Greek Program; Plato Charter Schools, Florida, Konstantinos Aretis, General Director of the Greek Program; -Sakheti School Johannesberg, Africa and Demosthenis Archondoulis, Professor of Greek Music and Culture, SAKHETI School; Odyssey charter School, Delaware, Dr. Ioanna Lekakou General Director of the Greek Program; Vouliarati Unified School, Albania; Panagiotis Barkas, Associate Professor, Department of Greek Language, Literature and Greek Culture, University of Argyrokastro, Albania; Department of Greek Language (TEG) of Malta; “Saint George” Mr. Kyrillos Katerelos, His Eminence Exarch of Malta; Primary School of Louboutin, D.R. Congo; .M. Angeliki Kotsoridi, Headmistress of the Primary School of Louboutin, D.R. Congo; Greek Language Departments Waiblingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Kalliopi Zarogianni, Teacher of the Greek Language Departments Waiblingen; Greek Language Department of Lusaka 13.55 P.M. Zambia, Rania Tsirigoti, teacher at TEG Lusaka; Gavria Primary School & Kindergarten, Arta, Aikaterini Zafeiri, Headmistress. Gavria Kindergarten Arta, Greece; Hellenic Academy Harare Zimbabwe, Africa, Ioannis Economou, President of the Greek Community Harare Zimbabwe; Greek Schools Kinshasa D.R., Congo, Fotini Kyriakopoulou, Director of the Greek Schools of Kinshasa, Congo; Plato Afternoon School, Brooklyn, Dimitra Tsafou.
Greek Christmas traditions blend faith, family, and custom, creating a unique holiday experience. These traditions bring joy and unite Greek communities worldwide, fostering a strong sense of connection within the diaspora.
