YALE HELLENIC SOCIETY
Representing Greek Culture and Values at Yale University.
EVENTS
Fundraiser for victims of Attica Fires (In progress!)
Click here do donate- https://www.gofundme.com/attica-fire-relief-2018
Following the aftermath of the wildfires in the Attica region, the Yale Hellenic Society is working with students from Anatolia College High School in Thessaloniki to fundraise for the long-term needs of the survivors. All the donations will be transferred to Desmos, a Greek non profit foundation working with national and local organizations, the affected municipalities, and civic initiatives to provide assistance in first aid responses, but also critically contribute in addressing the long-term needs of the afflicted areas and communities, ranging from support to fire and rescue brigades, social and medical services, psychosocial support to afflicted families and individuals, and recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Welcome Reception
September 2013
On Saturday, September the 21st, the Society successfully held its first social event of the year. Friends of the Society, both Greeks and non-Greeks, grads and undergrads, gathered in Luce Hall to mingle and enjoy home-cooked foods like keftedakia, tiropita and baklava. During the event, members of the society welcomed the new freshmen and were introduced to the new executive board.
Stavros Niarchos Lecture and Dinner with Paschalis Kitromilides
September 2013
On September 30th, the Hellenic Society was proud to welcome Paschalis Kitromilides, a professor at Panteion University, for the annual Stavros Niarchos Foundation talk. Dr. Kitromilides talked about the historical transition of empires to nations in Southeastern Europe in the early 20th century.
The night before the talk, members of the society had the opportunity to grab dinner with Dr. Kitromilides where we discussed his work, the ongiong economic and sociopolitical crisis in Greece and the current state of Greek higher education.
Talk and Q&A with Viviane Reding, Vice President of the EC
October 2013
In collaboration with Yale's only multilingual magazine, Accent, the Society helped organize a talk and Q&A session with Viviane Reding, the European Commission's Vice President on Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship.
Ms. Reding spoke to the proposed US-EU free trade agreement and the global implications of a collaboration between the two continents. She also addressed the ongoing economic crisis and the importance of a more unified Europe if the continent is to remain relevant in an increasingly globalized world.
A Celebration of C.P. Cavafy
November 2013
2013 marks the 150th and 80th anniversary of C.P. Cavafy's birth and death respectively. To honor the poet's legacy, some members of the board travelled to New York to attend an event in celebration of his life and work organized by the Onassis Foundation.
Members of the Society also had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Maria Boletsi of the University of Leiden at Yale, entitled “Still Waiting for the Barbarian after 9/11? Cavafy’s Reluctant Irony and the Language of the Future.”
Vasilopita Cutting: Welcoming 2014!
January 2014
On the weekend after everyone returned from winter break, the Society held its annual vasilopita cutting to usher in the New Year.
The event was attended by more than 40 students and faculty and required two very large pitas!
The Future of the Far Right in Europe: A Talk with David Art
February 2014
On the 28th of February, the Society had the pleasure of welcoming Prof. David Art from the Political Science Dept. at Tufts University, whose research interests include extremist political parties and movements, the politics of history and memory, and comparative historical analysis in the social sciences.
Prof. Art gave an intriguing talk on the rise of Golden Dawn in Greece, and what lessons we might take from the rise of other extremist parties from the past of Europe. Following his lecture and an excited discussio with the audience, Prof. Art joined several members of the board for dinner in the Berkelty dining hall.
Hello Anatolia: Screening and Q&A with the Director
March 2014
On Saturday the 29th of March, the Society, along with Yale Friends of Turkey, held a screening of Valantis Stamelos' documentary Hello Anatolia. The film follows Valantis’ reconnection with his ancestry as he travels to Izmir, Turkey to find his roots and attempt to bridge two cultures with a history of feuding.
Following the screening, Valantis himself came up and discussed his project, as well as his life in Izmir where he resides to this day!