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The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (
AHEPA
),
the world’s leading Hellenic heritage organization, reached a formal agreement with officials of the Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport, securing placement of the AHEPA “Kyklos –
Circle of Glory” wall mural in the new airport, announced Supreme President Johnny N. Economy today.
“The Kyklos project honors the spirit of the Olympic Games and is a gift to Greece out of respect for being the birthplace of the games,” said Economy. “Kyklos will be a welcome piece to all visitors journeying to Greece and will
provide AHEPA with national and international exposure on a daily basis.”
The goal of AHEPA is to dedicate the mural in 2002, coinciding with the planned AHEPA Supreme Convention to be held in Athens. An opening ceremony for the airport is scheduled for March 27, 2001.
Led by Dipl.-Ing. Claudius Schweickert, chief corporate coordination officer, airport officials provided a tour to AHEPA leaders, including Chairman of the Board A Steve Betzelos, showing them where Kyklos will be displayed.
“We look forward to the addition of the Kyklos project to the airport,” said Schweickert. “We are confident we selected a location for Kyklos that will provide maximum visibility.”
Kyklos is one part of a four-tier initiative AHEPA will undertake to help Greece with the 2004 Olympic Games. Assistance with recruiting volunteers, promoting the Olympic Truce Initiative, and making travel and venue packages available
to the community comprise the remainder of the four-tier initiative.
Yesterday, an AHEPA delegation held substantive discussions with Athens 2004 Executive Director Marton Simitsek focusing on areas of mutual concern with the execution of a volunteer program. “AHEPA understands it’s the responsibility
of the Athens Organizing Committee to set parameters for the qualification, selection, training, and lodging of volunteers,” said Supreme Governor Tom Rakus, chairman, AHEPA 2004 Olympic Initiative. “At the committee’s direction, AHEPA is
prepared to offer its services to assist the committee.”
A “memorandum of understanding” will be drafted, creating a working relationship between the Athens Organizing Committee and AHEPA, added Rakus.
The 2004 Olympics provides an opportunity for Greece to project a new, modern image of itself to a global audience.
“Greece is no longer the ‘horio’ of our yiayias and papous,” said Economy. “It is a vibrant country taking a leadership role in southeastern Europe and the Balkans on economic and political issues.”
AHEPA is the largest Greek American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece and Cyprus and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to
protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B’nai B’rith to fight discrimination.
The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence.
The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, and Maids of Athena.
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