LOS ANGELES, CA -The Greek Heritage Society (GHS) of Southern California celebrated its 37th anniversary at Loyola Marymount University on Sunday, January 8.
A rare photography exhibition titled “The Journey of the Greeks of Southern California” was presented, portraying the activities of the Greek community of the Los Angeles area since the early 1900s. The event also offered an additional exhibit of a collection of photos of the more than 24 Greek Orthodox churches in Southern California, and a digital photo exhibit.
Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, Ioannis Stamatekos, in his remarks thanked the Southern California Greek Community for supporting the Greek Heritage Society and their oral history digital library project. The honorary Consul General of Cyprus in Los Angeles, Andreas Kyprianidis, as well as GHS Founder, Zoye Fidler also greeted the audience and wished all a happy New Year.
GHS President Bessie Karras-Lazaris welcomed everyone and cut the vasilopita to traditionally celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
GHS is a non-political, non-profit California corporation, in association with the Basil P. Caloyeras Modern Greek Studies Center at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, California) for educational, literacy and educational purposes.
It was established in 1985, aiming to preserve the rich culture, heritage and traditions of Greek immigrants in Southern California. Through its FLOGA (flame) Project, it documents the story of early Greek immigrants and highlights continuing generations.
It is worth noting that the Greek Heritage Society has already produced a three part award-winning documentary series titled “The Greeks of Southern California through the century”. The trilogy is the universal story of the Greek American experience as seen through the eyes of those who settled in Southern California.
“The next major goal for 2023 is an oral history project, the creation of a digital library where the hundreds of interviews GHS has collected through the years, as well as historical photos and documents that represent three generations of our Greek community, can be housed and shared” noted Christina Bogdanou, member of the Executive Committee and Director of the Basil P. Caloyeras Modern Greek Studies Center.
“This Greek-American archive and resource center will be used to stimulate and maintain interest in Greek culture, literature, and heritage, and promote cross-cultural studies”, she added in a note to friends and supporters of both Centers.
More information about GHS is available online: https://www.greekheritagesociety.org/
