NEW YORK, NY – [Photos: Parade Committee]
The event ‘Echoes of 1821: An Evening of Faith, Freedom, and the Living Voice of Hellenism’ took place with great success and strong community attendance on Thursday, March 26, at the Stathakion Cultural Center in Astoria. The program was presented as part of the lead-up to the 2026 Greek Independence Day Parade organized by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York.
The evening began with a lecture by Professor Constantine G. Hatzidimitriou titled “Myths and Realities of the Hellenic and American Revolutions — Part II,” offering thoughtful historical insight and contributing to meaningful dialogue on the ideological and historical connections between the two revolutions. This was followed by the Parade Committee Meeting, during which key organizational matters for the 2026 celebration were addressed.
The artistic portion of the program highlighted the enduring power of Greek cultural heritage. Internationally acclaimed vocalist Erini Tornesaki moved the audience with an a cappella performance of the traditional Cretan rizitiko song “Se psilo vouno”, conveying a profound message of freedom, resilience, and inner strength.
A particularly moving moment of the evening was the presentation by the students of Saint Demetrios Greek American School, under the direction of Christina Kloukina. Through a curated program of hymns, poetry, and traditional songs, the students honored the spiritual and historical legacy of the Greek War of Independence, with special emphasis on the 200th Anniversary of the Exodus of Messolonghi (1826–2026), highlighting its timeless message of sacrifice and liberty.
The evening concluded with the celebratory program “Ah Ellada, S’ Agapo!”-a lively night of music and dance featuring distinguished performers. Proceeds from the event will support the upcoming Parade.
The strong turnout and enthusiastic response underscored the vitality of the Greek-American community and its enduring connection to the values of faith, history, and freedom.
The Special Events Committee, chaired by Christina Kostaki, extended its sincere thanks to all participants, performers, and supporters who contributed to the success of the evening.
