Yiasou Greek Festival


Culture

Greek Cultural Exhibit - The Yiasou Greek Festival features one of the largest collections of reproductive ancient Greek artifacts in the south. The collection consists of bronze statues, frescos, busts, vases, models of Greek temples and a museum quality replica of an ancient Greek war ship. Also included in the collection are ancient Greek, Greco-Roman, and ancient Egyptian statues, wall reliefs, swords, spearheads, vases, marble stones, daggers, coins, and videos of ancient Greece.

Changing of the Guards - The Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a popular tourist attraction that still takes place daily at the Parliament Building in Syntagma Square in Athens today. Witness the reenactment of these carefully selected presidential guards known as Evzones. Their performance is a display of uniquely synchronized movements as well as motionless stances. Evzones dress in traditional costumes that stem from different eras in Greek history. Their white flared sleeved shirts accompany a wool studded vest and pleated kilt or fustanella topped with pom-pom decorated footwear. This performance is both eye catching and sure to draw the attention of crowds of spectators. See festival guide for specific times.

Warriors of Greece - A Living History reenactment group dedicated to preserving the memory and ideals of the brave Greek Warriors who have defended Western Democracy and freedom for over 4,000 years. The Warriors of Greece and affiliates have been seen in parades, festivals, movie promotions and other public appearances all over the United States as well as on the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, Spike TV, the Military Channel, the BBC and others. They are also available for school presentations for audiences of all ages! Come see live Spartan Hoplite Warriors from 500 B.C. dressed in their trademark blood-red cloaks & tunics patrolling the festival grounds wearing authentic bronze armor and guarding the gates carrying real iron weapons. Ask them questions or even have your picture taken with one! Come to The Warriors of Greece Room downstairs and learn more about how their courage and skill in fighting saved Greece and all of Western Europe from tyrannical enslavement under the mighty Persian Empire of the East at the famous battles of Thermopylae, Marathon, Salamis and Platea during the Greco-Persian War. Freedom and Long Live Greece! Molon Labe.

Mount Athos Lectures by Fr. Michael Varvarelis - (Lower Level Cultural Center, Movie Room) Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis and Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral will be presenting a series of lectures on what is known today as the “Holy Mountain”, the history of Mount Athos. Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. Mount Athos is the center of Eastern Christian Orthodox Monasticism. It is home to 20 Orthodox Monasteries where only monks are allowed to reside.
Thursday and Friday 4:00-5:00 and 6:00-7:00
Saturday and Sunday 4:00-5:00

Short Films - Documentaries of modern day Greece.

Classical Greek Culture Lectures

(Lower Level Cultural Center, Classical Lecture Room – except where indicated next to lecturer name)


Thursday, September 13"

  • 4:00-5:00 “Holy Mountain: The History of Mount Athos”
    • Lecturer Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis (Movie Room)
  • 5:00-5:30 “Death Before Dishonor: The Battle of Thermopylae”
    • Lecturer Mr. Chris Pangalos
  • 5:30-6:00 “The Symbology of The Honeybee in Ancient Greek Culture”
    • Lecturer Dr. Keyne Cheshire
  • 6:00-7:00 “Holy Mountain: The History of Mount Athos”
    • Lecturer Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis (Movie Room)
  • 7:00-7:30 “The Lifelong Gift of Learning Greek”
    • Lecturer Mr. Larry Peroulas
  • 7:30-8:00 “The Symbology of The Honeybee in Ancient Greek Culture”
    • Lecturer Dr. Keyne Cheshire

Friday, September 14

  • 4:00-5:00 “Holy Mountain: The History of Mount Athos”
    • Lecturer Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis (Movie Room)
  • 5:00-5:30 “The Spartans – Elite Warriors of Antiquity”
    • Lecturer Mr. Chris Pangalos
  • 5:30-6:00 “The Lifelong Gift of Learning Greek”
    • Lecturer Mr. Larry Peroulas
  • 6:00-7:00 “Holy Mountain: The History of Mount Athos”
    • Lecturer Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis (Movie Room)
  • 7:00-7:30 “A New Age Begins; Final Victory at Plataea”
    • Lecturer Mr. Chris Pangalos

Saturday, September 15

  • 3:30-4:00 “The Spartans - Elite Warriors of Antiquity”
    • Lecturer Mr. Chris Pangalos
  • 4:00-5:00 “Holy Mountain: The History of Mount Athos”
    • Lecturer Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis (Movie Room)
  • 5:00-5:30 “The Lifelong Gift of Learning Greek”
    • Lecturer Mr. Larry Peroulas
  • 5:30-6:00 “The Battle of Marathon”
    • Lecturer Dr. Peter Krentz
  • 6:00-6:30 “A Reading From ‘Antigone’s Wake’”
    • Lecturer Mr. Nicholas Nicastro
  • 6:30-7:00 “Report From The Field: Archeological Excavations in Cyprus”
    • Lecturer Dr. Michael Toumazou
  • 7:00-7:30 “Classics in Cinema: ‘Troy’ (2004)”
    • Lecturer Dr. Peter Krentz
  • 7:30-8:00 “Death Before Dishonor: The Battle of Thermopylae”
    • Lecturer Mr. Chris Pangalos
  • 8:00-8:30 “Report From The Field: Archeological Excavations in Cyprus”
    • Lecturer Dr. Michael Toumazou
  • 8:30-9:00 “Classics in Cinema: ‘300’”
    • Lecturer Dr. Peter Krentz

Sunday, September 16

  • 3:00-3:30 “Death Before Dishonor: The Battle of Thermopylae”
    • Lecturer Mr. Chris Pangalos
  • 3:30-4:00 “The Lifelong Gift of Learning Greek”
    • Lecturer Mr. Larry Peroulas
  • 4:00-5:00 “Holy Mountain: The History of Mount Athos”
    • Lecturer Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis (Movie Room)