CHICAGO, IL – GNUSA [Photos: Consulate General of Greece in Chicago]
Eleven young Greek Americans from across the Midwest began today, June 12, their journey to Greece as part of the 4th Return to Your Roots program, departing from Chicago for a ten-day educational and cultural experience in Northern Greece and Thrace, according to a Facebook post by the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago.
Before their departure, participants were welcomed at the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago by Consul General Emanuel Koubarakis for an orientation program featuring discussions with distinguished mentors and community leaders, including Honorable Judge Panagiota Tsiaba; George Reveliotis, President of the Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois’ “Enosis”; “Z Life” Organization President Constantine Zografopoulos; Dr. George Karanastasis; and Return to Your Roots alumnus Elias Giannakopoulos.
Participants also received a special recorded message from Professor of Linguistics Zoe Gavriilidou of the Democritus University of Thrace, who serves as the program’s academic coordinator.
The day concluded with a visit to the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art at the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Return to Your Roots program was launched in the summer of 2023 by the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago in cooperation with «+ΜορΦωΣη» Linguistics Lab of the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), the Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Chicago, and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC).
The program offers a ten‑day cultural‑immersion experience in Thrace for young members of the Greek diaspora between the ages of 18 and 23.
The initiative was embraced by the Holy Metropolis of Maroneia and Komotini, which provides the facilities of its summer camp “Κατασκήνωση Παίδων Χώρα” along with practical support, making it possible for the summer school to take place in the region.
According to the UChicago’s Center for Hellenic Studies website, the daily schedule includes a three‑hour intensive Greek‑language course at three levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), as well as visits to museums, archaeological sites, folklore associations, and religious monuments in the cities of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, along with cultural‑immersion activities (Greek dance, Greek cuisine, Greek cinema, ancient‑theater workshops, concerts by Greek artists, etc.).
The Consulate General of Greece in Chicago extended sincere gratitude to all speakers and partners, and especially to the Alexander S. Pissios Family Foundation for its generous support in helping strengthen the bonds between Greece and the next generation of the Greek diaspora.
Consul General Emanuel Koubarakis wished all participants a safe journey and an unforgettable experience as they reconnect with their roots, deepen their understanding of Greek language and culture, and discover Greece firsthand.
