A great concert with works by Panagiotis Karousos for the 200 years of the liberation of Greece took place in Ancient Corinth

Thursday, July 29, 2021. The concert of Panagiotis Karousos in Ancient Corinth for the Greek Revolution of 1821 was held with great success with the impressive participation of the amazing soprano Victoria Horosunova-Diakaki.

The Open Theater (Xenia) packed with people, with the local authorities together, had an unforgettable evening of fine high poetry and serious music. The concert was prefaced by Dr. Tonia Tzanavara, Archaeologist - Art Historian - Head of Cultural Activities of the CENTER OF CULTURE, SPORTS & ENVIRONMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CORINTHIA (KEPAP). Greetings were given by the Mayor of Corinth Vassilis Nanopoulos, and George Psychogios MP SYRIZA-PS Corinth.

The concert for the liberation of Greece "1821 - 2021" with works by Panagiotis Karousos with the Music Ensemble of the Corinth Philharmonic was conducted by Glykeria Moraitaki Chief Musician and conductor of the Corinth Philharmonic.

The wonderful lyric artists participated were: soprano Rea Voudouri, soprano Victoria Horosunova-Diakaki, tenor Theodoros Birakos, soprano Mariza Kioseoglou, tenor Konstantinos Drakonakis. Mania Hantzeri accompanied on the piano. Myrto Korka recited the poems.

The Program included: March for 1821, 40 Braves (Saranta Palikaria-Traditional), and famous poets' poems set to music by Panagiotis Karousos, The Enchanted Fountain (Costas Krystallis), Remembrance (Dionysios Solomos), Approach (Yiannis Ritsos), Wayfarer (Paul Nirvana), Tu sei come una terra (Cesare Paveze), No te amo (Pablo Nerouda), Love is life War and peace (Leon Tolstoy), How much I love you (Yannis Vilaras), The child in the river (Georgios Vizyinos), Silence (Kostis Palamas), Parthenon (Kostis Palamas), You the sweet (George Drosinis), Caryatids (Ioannis Polemis), Maid of Athens, ere we part (Lord Byron).

This is the new compositional works of the Greek-Canadian composer Panagiotis Karousos. The composer of classical music known through his operas (Prometheus bound, Trachiniae - Olympic Flame, Alexander the Great), makes an opening in art songs and popular songs, setting to music great Greek and foreign poets. A tribute to the 200 years of poetry (1821-2021) from the liberation of the Greek state that we celebrate this year.

The select audience applauded the artists and performers of the concert dedicated to 1821 - 200 years of poetry and freedom, and demanded that the song "Maid of Athens" by Lord Byron be repeated.

Among others guests were Themis Koutsogilas, President of the Municipality of Corinth, congratulated the artists and contributors, the former Member of Parliament, Mr. Athena Korka-Konsta, Deputy Regional Minister of Education - Culture of the Peloponnese, civil engineer, George Psychogios MP SYRIZA-PS Corinth, the musician Anita Tsapalou, Head of the School Activities Department of the Secondary School of N. Korinthia, the former municipal councilor Marios Asimakopoulos (candidate for Mayor of Corinth) Doctor of Geology from the University of Patras, Olga Konomodi-Thomas President of the Association of Speech and Art "Alkyonides", etc.

The composer Panagiotis Karousos thanked artists and organizers for the success of the concert: On behalf of all the artists a big thank you to the children and musicians of the Corinth Philharmonic and the chief musician Glykeria Moraitaki to the organizers of the event, and the people of Corinth who honored us so much with their presence. It was a great success that we experienced in ancient Corinth dedicated to the 200 years of the liberation of Greece "1821 - 2021".

Congratulations to the worthy Chief Musician and conductor Glykeria Moraitaki and to the wonderful Music Ensemble of the Corinth Philharmonic, to Themis Koutsogilas, President of the KEPAP of the Municipality of Corinth, Dr. Tonia Tzanavara, Head of Cultural Activities of the Municipality of Corinth, and all the artists and participants in the successful Cultural events in Corinth Summer 2021

Ilias I. Katsos with Clelia Charissis, Evageline Plakas, and Eikaterini Monoyuiou the Hellenic parliamentarian representing the Cyclades

 I had a wonderful time, as always, at lunch at the Athene with good friends Clelia Charissis, Evageline Plakas, and Eikaterini Monoyuiou the Hellenic parliamentarian representing the Cyclades. Metropolitan Symeon of Fthiotida (Lamia) also joined us for a little while. Later outside we ran into Sakis Tanimanidis a well known Hellenic TV host, producer and entrepreneur and a very good friend of Clelia’s. A great time was had by all. Ahhh Hellas !!

Ilias I. Katsos

Today I will be leaving this great nation of my birth - Hellas for New York and my metaphorical mountains, to again go “on the run” . Although a short trip I had an absolutely fantastic and spectacular time filled with numerous adventures both in Athens and the Morea (Peloponnessos),interesting encounters and diversions, drama, intrigue, high intellectual and practical discussions, culture, poetry and love. I did not discover “Laistrygonians, Cyclops, angry/wild Poseidon” since I kept my thoughts raised high, and did not /nor will not “bring them along inside my soul” as I head back to “Ithaca”. Continue “Waiting for the Barbarians” as hopefully, and perhaps misunderstood, since “Those people were a kind of solution.”.

I leave behind some very close close relatives and friends and parting is as always difficult for them and me but I will be back probably later in the year on my way to Dubai to family, friends, and other adventures.

I leave from Hellas, as always, with books as gifts from different authors and what I treasure. The photo is of a gift from my cousin Barbara Vals Katsos who, among many other things, is a mountain climber, marathon runner, nature lover, a “shaman” to many, mother and grandmother. Her gift was a natural rock from the upper and highest point (7,900 feet) of the Taygetos mountains (where I was born) and all of the Morea/ Peloponnesos the Taleton dedicated to Helios/ the Sun and later to Profitis Hlias. She inscribed in the back “Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ” one of our Lakedaimonian ancient sayings and still the old school beliefs of some who understand it’s true meaning.

Ilias I. Katsos

Ilias I. Katsos with Ioannis Chrysoulakis the Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

Although I had some private moments/discussions at various AHEPA Convention events this week with good friend Ioannis Chrysoulakis the Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs it was neither the time or place to have an extended conversation. So after lunch today, and after coordinating with his schedule we (Clelia, Eva and I) stopped in at his office to spend some quality time with him. It’s always great to have a serious extended conversation, and my and ioanni’s views and thoughts are very much in sync on a variety of events I have in mind for this coming year to help promote Hellenism on an international level. Knowing I love books he was very kind in giving me a copy of the lovely book on the Hellenic Dream in America on Hellenic immigrants from 1890 to 1980.

Ilias I. Katsos

 

Ilias I. Katsos with Petro Doukas the Mayor of Sparta, and also the President of ICC Hellas International Chamber of Commerce

Petro Doukas the Mayor of Sparta, and also the President of ICC Hellas International Chamber of Commerce, wanted to meet with me even though I had to cancel our lunch date in Georgitsi on Wednesday to go back to Athens. Regardless of whether it was kind of crazy (nothing new) , based on time lines, we coordinated to meet in Sparta and I’m glad I went. I discussed with him and his Deputy Mayors the possibility of making the major Georgitsi old school into a museum (with a conceptual plan on how to do it) as well as helping with some of Sparta’s various planned Hellenic Revolution Bicentennial events. I have great respect for him, besides other things, as a scholar who has written a few books. He was a great panelist last August in EMBCA's “2,500th Year Anniversary of The Battle of Thermopylae and Salamis Commemoration ” that I had with other world recognized scholars on the subject.

 I am back in New York and would like to thank everyone I met in Hellas , relatives, friends & newly discovered friends, and associates for your filotimo, love, interesting & challenging discussions, and in some cases debates. Although I was in Hellas a week mainly for the AHEPA Convention within that week I probably traveled over 1,000 km meeting with relatives in Kalamata, wonderful priests, government officials and great new mutual historical collaborators in Argos, Mayors/ Deputy Mayors in Sparta for other collaborations and I could go on and on. In Athens I had a wonderful intellectual, theoretical and in some cases bareknuckle experience of meeting with various AHEPA Brothers from around Hellas ,Cyprus , Europe and America for some very serious discussions on AHEPA’s present and future. In Athens I treasure having also spent some magical/ poetic time with very dear friends for serious conversations, laughter, comradery and generally having a fantastic time.

The photos are of some of the books I was given while in Hellas on this trip with many being given by the authors themselves. My interests are varied and diverse as some know which at times surprises people who do not know me. I have been since I was young a bibliophile, and an academic for many years, and have my own library of books on topic of interests to me, some being rare.

Ilias I. Katsos

Elected presidents of our AHEPA Family orders

 Congratulations to the new Supreme Lodge! We would also like to congratulate the newly elected presidents of our AHEPA Family orders!

Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas

Supreme Vice President Lou Atsaves

Canadian President Emmanuel Constans

Supreme Secretary Savas Tsivikos

Supreme Treasurer Chris Kaitson

Supreme Counselor Demetrios Kirkiles

Supreme Sons of Pericles Advisor Nick Kavadas

Supreme Athletics Director Chris Atsaves

Supreme Governor Region 1 Kostas Sofikitis

Supreme Governor Region 2 James Gregorakis

Supreme Governor Region 3 Vassos Chrysanthou

Supreme Governor Region 4 Dalton Respass

Supreme Governor Region 5 Demetrios Papadopoulos

Supreme Governor Region 6 Sam Benjamin

Supreme Governor Region 7 Marshall Monsell

Supreme Governor Region 8 Alexander Mallas

Grand President, Daughters of Penelope Kathy Bizoukas

Supreme President, Sons of Pericles Timothy Noitsis

Grand President, Maids of Athena Maria Ana Pantelous

#DefendHellenism #PromoteHellenism

Join #AHEPA #ΑΧΕΠΑ

Fraternally yours,

Br. Dean Moskos

AHEPA NY Governor

Br. George Zouvelos

AHEPA NY SECRETARY

AHEPA District 6

AHEPA District 6

Order of AHEPA