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                                   “Reviving the Delphic Idea”

An international Symposium co-organized by Th. Spyropoulos, President of H.A.N.C. and P. Kaltsis, Mayor of Delphi.

By Michael Golder

In these troubled times of global strife and growing sectarian animosity, Th. Spyropoulos, President of Hellenic American National Council and P. Kaltsis, Mayor of Delphi will call for a “Revival of the Delphic Idea” at an International Symposium in Delphi, the most beautiful and most respected place in Greece, known to the world as the “Navel of the Earth”. The Delphic idea, which represents the humanistic principles of friendship, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence between nations, has never been more relevant than today.

It is the sponsors’ hope that a revival of this idea will once again awaken the global community to the underlying principles of humanity that unite us all. Internationally renowned classics scholars and professors will participate in the Symposium, which will take place at the European Cultural Center of Delphi in August.

Dr. Gail O. Mellow, President of LaGuardia Community College in New York City-one of the most ethnically diverse campuses in the United States-will address the conference with her presentation, “What Might the Oracle Say? Higher Education and the Delphic Ideal in a Profoundly Connected World.”  In her talk, Dr. Mellow will outline the conundrum faced by colleges and universities around the globe as they attempt to frame a curriculum and a pedagogy for the Knowledge Era. Using the dictums of the ancient oracles of Delphi as a frame, the talk will explore the ways in which globalization, mobility and technology challenge educational leaders to find new methods to teach an increasingly international student population to achieve sophrosyne-the ideal of multiple kinds of wisdom held in human balance.

Dr. Bruce Thornton, Professor of Classics and Humanities at the California State University in Fresno, California, will analyze the topic, “Critical Consciousness and the Greek Achievement.”  Dr. Thornton is author of seven books and numerous essays and reviews on Greek culture and civilization and their influence on Western civilization.  Emmanuel Mikroyiannakis, professor of of Ancient History at Athens University's School of Philosophy, will speak on “Pythia, the Highest Contribution of the Hellenic Culture to Humanity.”

Other major topics to be presented and discussed at this conference include, “Why Greece Must Have a Renaissance,” presented by Dr. Evaggelos Vallianatos; “Socrates as Teacher of Virtue,” by Towson University Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Christos Evangeliou; and “Know Thyself: The Anatomy of the Soul Revealed Through the Greek language,” by Alpine University Professor of Historical Greek Literature, Anna Efstathiou Tziropoulou.  Her talk will examine the value and usefulness of the Greek language, which is the only “notional” language in the world (a language is notional when the name of a word has an original, protogenic relationship with its meaning). Professor Georgia Xanthaki-Karamanou of Athens University will present the topic, “The Reception of Greek in English.” Dr. Nors S. Josephson will analyze, “The Greek Linguistic Elements in the Polynesian Languages.” Kostas Spyropoulos, General Manager of Greek State T.V. (E.R.T.) will speak on a special topic, “Documenting Oral History.” 

Within the frame of the meeting of Hellenes Abroad and Philhellenes at Delphi, the Hellenic American National Council will also hold its 17^th Annual Conference. Topics will include “The Greek American Lobby”, “Hellenic American Youth: Passing the Torch” and “Synergy Among Hellenes Abroad and the Greek Authorities.” Dinos Routzounis, President of Kapa Research Group, will present the Research on Hellenism Abroad by Kapa Research and Harvard University.

Cultural activities, organized by the Delphi Municipality, will feature trips to ancient historical sites in and around Delphi, such as the Temple of Apollo, the Ancient Stadium, and Kastalia’s Spring. The delegates will be given a tour of The Angelos and Eva Sikelianos Museum. The poet Angelos Sikelianos and his American-born wife, Eva Palmer-Sikelianos, were pioneers in the revival of the Delphic Idea. They maintained that the Delphic principles, which had shaped the classic civilization, have been misinterpreted and misconstrued and, if reexamined, could regenerate humanism, offer spiritual independence and serve as a means of communication among peoples.

The conference will be treated to a theatrical performance of Aristophanes’ “The Frogs”, by one of Greece’s foremost theatrical troupes, “Attica Stage.” A visit to Greece would not be complete without the pleasure of Greek music. The world-famous Corfu Chorus will perform works of Hatzidakis and Theodorakis.

Representatives of the Greek Government and of many Greek American and other Organizations of Hellenes Abroad will be attending the convention and the symposium, as well as many dignitaries from America and abroad.  At the conclusion of the symposium, Th. Spyropoulos and P. Kaltsis will proclaim their commitment to reconvene annually, inviting Hellenes Abroad and philhellenes to further the revival of the Delphic Ideal.

For more information contact:

Nancy Biska, www.biska.gr

1st, in the beginning of the month Metageitnionos, of the year 2782 after first Olympiada