Dear friends of Hellenic Cultural Center of the Southwest,
As you know already, the Greek Government has canceled the celebrations of the 25th of March 2021 worldwide.
The health issue of coronavirus is real and affects each one of us and the people of our community. Therefore protecting life and health becomes our first and foremost priority.
Hellenic history is dotted with challenges, trials, and tribulations that our ancestors have overcome successfully. We are not new to the troubles thrown our way – be it a tyrannically oppressive occupation, suppression of our life, liberty and freedom or death, war and starvation. At each point in history, we have stood together as one people, helped each other and unified to fight evil. The recent events surrounding the spread of COVID 19 virus is yet another instance where Greeks come together.
Let’s reconnect to our proud lineage. Let us remember the wisdom of our ancestors - Aristotle, Socrates, Kolokotroni, Papaflessa, and Kanari - just to name a few. This is especially the time to Enlighten Hellenic Ideals into our children and to the entire world. Grounded as we are at home, restricted as we are from movement, it is a time we must not only to protect our lives and the lives of our beloved ones, we must also reflect and continue the battle that our ancestors so heroically taught us to fight.
So, let’s celebrate the March 25th, a day commemorating the day on which Greece revolted against Ottoman tyranny, by praying, connecting with our families, passing on Hellenic history and ideals to our children. If a family member is not on the dinner table, call them, face time them, video chat them to remember what it means to be a Greek. Stand up and play our National Anthem on your computer, or phone or/and singalong full-throated at your table - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdHqcqAKWQg&feature=related and feel the pride and joy of belonging to this illustrious heritage.
Spend a few more minutes to listen to "Θούριος" - Greek Revolutionary Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCHWVMx7Mpc
Listen below to the recording from the CD “Athens Texas”, HCC-SW recorded back in 2016 with the title “O Geros tou Moria” with Evelina Nikoliza & David Nachmias. You can find the entire CD at http://stage.hcc-sw.org/support/donations/products.
Spend some more time to research yourself the history by just googling: “Greek war of independence 1821" or “ιστορία της Ελληνικής επανάστασης 1821". Here are some links to help your research:
in English:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_War_of_Independence
https://www.ahistoryofgreece.com/revolution.htm
https://www.historynet.com/lord-byron-in-the-greek-war-for-independence.htm
Most Popular Greek War Of Independence Movies and TV Shows
https://www.imdb.com/search/keyword/?keywords=greek-war-of-independence
Interesting reading is the thesis of STEFANIE LANI CHAN: THE REGENERATION OF HELLAS: INFLUENCES ON THE GREEK WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE 1821-1832:
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?&httpsredir=1&article=1115&context=cmc_theses
and some videos:
THE BRIEF HISTORY BEHIND 1821 (2:00) BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=84&v=puF4zv-XxM0&feature=emb_logo
Και μερικά Ελληνικά
https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ελληνική_Επανάσταση_του_1821
Ιστορια της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης του 1821
http://e-library.iep.edu.gr/iep/collection/browse/item.html?code=01-46156&tab=01
Ελληνική ιστορία - Μορφές και γεγονότα της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης 1821-1829 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-ZPm_OpUI4
Να ‘τανε το 21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePzBRKkpjh4
1821 ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΑ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΗΡΩΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΕΠΑΝΑΣΤΑΣΗΣ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfWLDitGNe8
I wish from my heart, the Annunciation to Virgin Mary our church celebrates, to be our annunciation of good news to the fight to Covid-19.
Yannis Remediakis,
Hellenic Cultural Center of the Southwest - President
