THE HELLENIC SOCIETY PROMETHEAS

& THE HELLENIC ORGANIZATIONS

OF THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA

Invite you to a celebration of

 

The 186thAnniversary of the Greek Independence

 

Keynote Speaker

 

Prof. George Babiniotis

 Distinguished professor of linguistics at the University of Athens, president of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, president of the University of Athens (2000 to 2006) and author of numerous books and publications related to the Greek language.

 

The Language as National Identity--

Reflections on the Occasion of the 25th of March, 1821

(lecture in Greek with summary in English)

 

Prof. Babiniotis will discuss the significance of the Greek language as a key element of national identity and the role it played for the Greek Independence. He will stress that national identity is defined as national consciousness. He will argue that the universal prestige of the language and culture, in connection with the Greek Orthodox tradition impacts on the Greeks of the diaspora in two ways: as a “conscience of identity” and as a “sense of nobility”. The knowledge of the Greek language offers an identity of origin which ensures psychological, social and cultural balance.   The program will include brief literary readings, patriotic songs by the St. Sophia’s Cathedral Choir directed by Stelios Kondakiotis, and folk dances to be performed by the Return to Origins dance troupe directed by Rena and Elena Papapostolou. Reception to follow.

 

Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

7701 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817

Co-sponsors

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral                                                    Sts. Constantine and Helen G.O. Church

St. George Greek Orthodox Church                                                       St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church

Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church                                             St. Theodore Greek Orthodox Church

American Hellenic Institute                                                                    AHEPA Chapter 31

AHEPA Chapter 383                                                                             Cretan Association of Greater Washington D.C.

Epirotic Society                                                                                      Evrytanian Association

Hellenic-American Women’s Council                                                     Hellenic-American Medical Society

House of Kefalos                                                                                    Laconian Society                                                                                     Macedonian Association                                                                        Pan-Cyprians of Metropolitan Washington                                           Pan-Dodecanesian Association of America                                   Roumeliotes of Metropolitan Washington                                             Digenis Hellenic Student Association, UM                                    Association of Greek Scientists at NIH

Georgetown University Hellenic Club                                                   Kosmos Hellenic Club, GWU

                Returns to Origins