Conference of the Coordinating Committee of Cultural Associations of the Region of Western Greece

AT THE CONFERENCE ON CULTURE
A CRY OF CONCERN FROM EXPATRIATES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF CULTURE AND LANGUAGE IN THEIR CHILDREN

With a strong cultural interest, the conference organized by the Coordinating Committee of Cultural Associations of the Region of Western Greece was held on Saturday, May 10th, at the Pampeloponnesian Stadium of Patras, in the presence of significant cultural organizations from Patras and the wider region, as well as representatives from the Region of Western Greece, including the Deputy Regional Governor for Culture, Mr. Panagiotis Sakellaropoulos. The aim was to inform about the development of the needs of the Cultural Associations and the establishment and operation of a Cultural Cluster, a proposal presented by the Coordinator Mr. Athanasios Vassilopoulos, with hopes of unifying the cultural actions of all cultural bodies to ensure their smooth functioning.

In the presentation of the activities by Mr. Theodoros Mallias, President of the Fine Arts Association of Patras “Kostis Palamas,” and Ms. Georgia Giachou, President of the Kostis Palamas Center for Culture and Olympism, alongside the promotion of the “Land of Olympia” and the Olympic ideals, particular emphasis was placed on the significant experiences gained during their recent presentations in the United States (New Jersey, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles) and Canada (Montreal), responding to invitations from the Greek diaspora and American universities that offer Greek language programs.

There, the soul of Hellenism among the expatriates was expressed with deep sorrow and boundless nostalgia for the lack of care shown by the Greek state regarding the education of their children in our language and culture.

In fact, during the conference, Mr. Theodoros Mallias requested support from the Region and all competent authorities for the implementation of an online program agreed upon at the event of the Hellenic-Canadian Congress, together with the President of the Greater Montreal Community, Dr. George Tsoukas. The goal of this program, aimed at a vibrant community of 400,000 residents, is the cultural education of 1,200 of their children—children who will carry forward the miracle of Hellenism into the future.

It must be understood that the deeper meaning of the impact of our Cultural Heritage on the youth of the Greek diaspora is where the heart of Greece beats. This is essential to prevent the loss or distortion of the Greek human-centered legacy of excellence and merit through the passage of time.

For the Fine Arts Association of Patras “Kostis Palamas”
and the Kostis Palamas Center for Culture and Olympism
The Presidents,
Theodoros Mallias and Georgia Giachou