Upcoming Events
Fall Program Under Development
Herod Atticus Theater, Athens
Greek Adoptions of the 1950s-1960s: Lecture & Discussion
“The Truth about Greek Adoptions During the Cold War” with Linda Carol (Eftychia) Trotter. Ms. Trotter will join us for a discussion of the The Eftychia Project and of the documentary called “The Lost Children of Cold War Greece” (viewable on YouTube.com).
Biblia Mazi (Books Together)
We will discuss “Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens”, a contemporary memoir by Sofka Zinovieff. It is her story of being a new expatriate living in Athens with her Greek husband and two daughters. She relates the often-hilarious struggles learning about a new city and a new culture. At the same time, she ponders how the past haunts the present in the music and poetry of this ancient city.
An Afternoon with Callas
To celebrate the centenary of soprano Maria Callas’ birth, we will hold an afternoon discussion of this legendary woman via Zoom. Links will be provided in advance to members, to view a video documentary and a dramatic film, as well as other materials. Non-members should contact novak@maine.edu for the Zoom link. See our latest newsletter for additional information.
Greek Myths of the Night Sky
Explore the rich realm of Night Sky Greek Mythology with USM Planetarium director Edward Herriick-Gleason. Within one hour, you will discover the Greek legends and lore of the stars and the planets. Gods and monsters; forlorn lovers and ancient warriors; see them all amongst the stars. Southworth Planetarium, Science Building, USM Portland campus, 70 Hanover St. Limited Seating (62 Seats). For Reservations, call the Planetarium at (207) 780-4249. Leave your name, phone, plus number of seats requested. Admission: Adults: $6.50. 12 and under: $5.
Greek Trivia Night & Happy Hour
We are trying out a new format for this popular Zoom event by moving it earlier in the evening. Treat yourself to an hors d’oeuvre & a favorite beverage and join us for an hour of fun. You’ll be on one of several teams answering Greek trivia questions. Don’t know the right answer? Come up with a hilarious wrong one! Non-members can request the Zoom link at novak@maine.edu.
Annual Cutting of the Vasilopita & New Year's Social
Join us for the Greek New Year tradition of cutting a Vasilopita & Enjoy a Social Evening at Local 188 on 685 Congress Street in Portland (Parking in Rear). Cash Bar.
Biblia Mazi (Books Together)
Join us on Zoom to discuss “The Flight of Ikaros: Travels in Greece During the Civil War” by Kevin Andrews. The author was a philhellene, writer and archaeologist who lived in Greece most of his adult life, beginning in 1947, and eventually became a Greek citizen. First published in 1957, it is considered one of the great books about modern Greece. Andrews writes about his travels in the Peloponnesus, about the people he met, and the Civil War and its aftermath. A Zoom link will be sent to HSoM members prior to the event.
The Changing Landscape of Cultural Heritage & Human Rights: Insights from the Eastern Mediterranean
Internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou, will discuss the changes in cultural heritage and human rights policies in the Eastern Mediterranean. Dr. Prodromou is Visiting Professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College, and an affiliated faculty member of the Islamic Civilizations and Societies Program, as well as the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life.
Co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council. Online registration information for the Zoom link to be provided soon.
Greek Trivia Night
Our first Greek Trivia Night last spring was a big success! Join one of several breakout groups on Zoom to come up with answers to questions about Greek history, culture and mythology, AND have a lot of laughs while doing it. We’ll ask the questions; you’ll be assigned to one of several breakout groups to jointly come up with the answer, and then we will all come back together to see who’s right. The rule is that if you dont know the real answer, come up with the funniest response. No scores. No pressure… Great fun!
A Zoom link will be provided the day before the event.
Greek Mythology in the Sky
Explore the rich realm of night sky mythology with Edward Herrick Gleason, the Director of the Southworth Planetarium at the USM Portland campus. Discover the stories, legends and lore of the stars and planets.
For Reservations: Call the Planetarium at (207) 780-4249. Leave your name, phone number and number of seats requested.
Admission: Adults: $6.50, Children under 12: $5. (LIMITED SEATING OF 62. RESERVE EARLY)
A Talk on Kazantzakis
Prof. Peter Bien, translator and Kazantzakis scholar, who worked closely with the author, will give a talk on the famous Greek writer. His topic is “Was Nikos Kazantzakis a Novelist?”. Although Kazantzakis is now mostly known via translations of his novels, he was actually more devoted to poetry and theater. Peter Bien is Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature at Dartmouth College. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the event.
“Biblia Mazi” (Books Together)
Discuss “Freedom or Death”, the famous novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, originally published as “Captain Michalis” in 1950, which tells the story of the Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule during the 1800’s, and was inspired by the author’s own family history. A Zoom link will be provided to HSoM members.
Sister Cities 20th Anniversary Celebration
Come help the Hellenic Society of Maine & the City of Portland celebrate our Sister City relationship with Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece, at the WIshcamper Center on the USM Portland campus. The reception will include a musical interlude by pianist Annie Antonacos. If you wish to attend, RSVP to msnell@maine.edu.
"Biblia Mazi" (Books Together)
“Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen” by Mary Norris on Zoom.
HSoM’s book group will discuss the best-selling travel memoir by Mary Norris, the former copy editor of The New Yorker.
This acclaimed book by a passionate Hellenophile is about her lifelong fascination with Greek culture and the Greek language, and recounts her solo travels in Greece.
A Zoom link wil be sent to HSoM members the day before the event.
The Greeks of Ukraine: From Antiquity to the Present
The Greeks of Ukraine: From Antiquity to the Present
HSoM presents a lecture by Dr. Alexandros Kyrou, Professor of History and Director of the Program in East European and Russian Studies at Salem (MA) State University.
His talk will trace the long and continuous history of the Greek presence on the north shore of the Black Sea, which predates by a millennium the arrival of the early Slavs and the emergence of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples in this area. Over 70 Greek settlements were established, which continued to flourish through the Roman Empire, the Medieval Roman Empire (Byzantium) and into modern times.
Contact Irwin Novak at novak@maine.edu to be sent the Zoom link the day before.
Greek Mythology in the Night Sky
March Greek Mythology in the Night Sky
University of Southern Maine Southworth Planetarium (at the USM Science Building, Falmouth Street at the USM Portland Campus)
Explore the rich realm of night sky mythology with Edward Herrick Gleason, the Director of the USM Southworth Planetarium. Discover the stories, legends and lore of the stars and planets.
For Reservations: Call the Planetarium at (207) 780-4249
Leave your name & phone, number of seats requested
Admission: Adults: $6.50; Children under 12: $5. (Limited seating of 62: Reserve Early!)
Free parking in the garage.
Greek Trivia Night
HSoM presents our first ever Greek Trivia Night! Join one of several breakout groups on Zoom to come up with answers to questions about Greek history, culture and mythology. The only rule is, if you don’t know the real answer, come up with the funniest. No scores, no pressure... All fun!
(Contact Irwin Novak at novak@maine.edu to be sent the Zoom link the day before.)
Biblia Mazi: “Smyrna, September 1922” by Lou Ureneck
Biblia Mazi
Over the last four months, the Hellenic Society has held a number of events, including book and film discussions, and a lecture, in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the the Burning of the city of Smyrna in 1922. Our final Smyrna event is coming up shortly after New Year’s, with the first Biblia Mazi program of 2023 on ZOOM: Tuesday at 7 PM, January 10, 2023.
This session: “Smyrna, September 1922” by Lou Ureneck, published by Harper Collins, 2016 (originally published by Ecco under the title of “The Great Fire). The book chronicles the events surrounding the burning and looting of much of the Asia Minor port city of Smyrna by the Turkish army. The catastrophe resulted in tens of thousands of deaths of Greek and Armenian civilians in the city, on the waterfront, and after forced deportations into the interior of Anatolia. Several hundred thousand people became refugees as a result of these events.
It is an excellent read! A very interesting aspect of the book is the description of American foreign policy, diplomacy, and commercial interests in Turkey and the Near East in the early 1900’s.
In addition to a discussion of the book itself, we will also talk about the other events we held on the history of Smyrna, including the in-person lecture by the book’s author, which was held in November. If you were not able to attend the lecture, see the attached link to view a tape of the lecture.
Link (an unedited presentation – actual lecture starts 37 minutes into video; use slider to get there):
https://video.maine.edu/media/Irwin%20Novak's%20Zoom%20Meeting/1_etm6qb58
We look forward to your participation in this discussion. If you plan to attend, please sign up by sending an email to Angela Bournakel at abour@me.com.