Chairman of the Gennadius Library Board of Overseers Alex Zagoreos and Consul General of Greece Aghi Balta address the crowd
The Eleventh Annual Clean Monday – Καθαρά Δευτέρα - Benefit for the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens took place March 7, 2011 at Molyvos in New York City. Chef Jim Botsacos and his staff created the special cuisine of the day – jumbo sprawns, octopus pies and cubed beet salad were among the culinary Lenten Treats. The buffet was the beautiful centerpiece of the evening. Grigoris Maninakis and his ensemble entertained the guests with traditional music that inspired spirited dancing.
Joining the over one hundred friends of the Library were Chairman of the Gennadius Library Board of Overseers Alexander Zagoreos and his wife Marine along with fellow board members Ted Athanassiades and his wife Elaine, Nick Bacopoulos and his wife Calypso Gounti, Edward Cohen and his wife Betsy, Nassos Michas and his wife April and Leo Milonas and his wife Helen.
In his brief remarks, Mr. Zagoreos underlined the importance of getting the word out about the Gennadius. “The main thing is the preservation of this cultural heritage that we have in the form of written works.” He then introduced Ambassador Aghi Balta, Consul General of Greece to New York, who stated that “It’s become a tradition on Clean Monday for the Greeks in New York to gather to help out a good cause.” Dr. Maria Georgopoulou, the Library’s Director, addressed the group stating “it is important to know that thanks to your support, the Gennadius Library is still a beacon in Athens.” She listed the past year’s major highlights, including the acquisition of archives of important 30’s author Elias Venezis, early 20th century composer Demitrios Levidis and that of recently deceased archaeologist Yiannis Sakellarakis.
This annual event is attended by a group of Philhellenes and prominent Greek-Americans. Representing the School’s Board of Trustees was Andrew Bridges, Mary Lefkowitz, Judith Thomson, and Charles Williams. Guests included film marker Maria Iliou, Lisa Ackerman of the World Monuments Fund, sculptor Lilia Ziamou, founder of Greek America Foundation Gregory Pappas and a new generation of Gennadeion supporters including the children of several of the Gennadius Library Overseers. Thanks to a great group of friends and supporters, nearly $40,000 was raised for the Library. The funds from the benefit will match a National Endowment of the Humanities Challenge Grant that was awarded to the ASCSA in late January 2010 for the renovations to the Library.
