The Queens Elected Officials hosted on Friday March 10, at the Stathakeion Cultural Center of the Federation of the Hellenic Societies in Astoria, a Greek Independence Day Celebration, honoring the 196th anniversary of the uprising of Greeks against the Ottoman Empire. Over 200 people packed the hall, for an event recognizing Greek heritage and culture, organized by State Senator Mike Gianaris, State Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, Councilmember Costa Constantinides and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and NYC Public Advocate Letitia James also attended and offered their greetings at the event.
This year’s honorees were four Greek American women who have made important contributions to the Greek Community and the Community at large. Nassau County Assistant District Attorney Evgenia Soldatos, Queens Medallion Group CFO Jenny Emexezidis, the Secretary General of the Hellenic Federation Nomiki Kastanas and the President of the Pancyprian Choir and treasurer of the Greek Children’s Fund Ismini Michaels.
The young students of Greek Academy Paideia performed a program of dances, poems and songs, while the Pancyprian Choir closed the event with Greek songs.
Senator Gianaris recalled that 17 years ago he was the first Greek American official elected in the State of New York. Now there are 6 Greek Americans on the State Capitol and one in NYC Council.
We all are immigrants or children of immigrants and we need help from everyone with all happening in Washington. Many minorities in NYC celebrate their heritage and today is our Greek Community”, she said.
Aravella Simotas – who sang the Greek National Anthem – told the gathering that now that her young daughter is four years old, she is glad that there are organizations, like the Federation of the Hellenic Societies of New York, which organize the Greek Parade.
“This way my daughter can celebrate our Greek Heritage and what Greece means to the whole world.”
It was the 4th Greek Celebrations organized by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who praised Aravella Simotas for her singing and most importantly the dedication with which she serves the Community of Astoria, giving her heart and soul. She called Mike Gianaris a great leader in the NY Senate, Carolyn Maloney for her struggles in U.S. Congress and praised the work of Costa Constantinidis,
Melinda Katz praised Greek Americans for their many contributions to the Borough of Queens and congratulated the four honorees.
Finally she mentioned the hard times Greece and Cyprus are facing and expressed her solidarity.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney called March 10 a day of pried for the Greek people of Queens. Maloney was named Bouboulina by late Archbishop Iakovos, for her fighting spirit and she told the audience that when last summer she went to Greece, she visited the house of the heroine of the Greek revolution Bouboulina, in the Island of Spetses.
Maloney spoke about the work of the Hellenic Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and she reiterated her strong support for the Greek national issues and that she will keep fighting until the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus.
NYC Council Member Costa Constantinides said we don’t forget our Greek Heritage and everyone in New York recognizes the role Greek Americans have played in building our great city.
“Greek Americans are part of the fabric of our city and they continue to play an important role,” he said.
Public Advocate Letitia Jones told the audience that she looks forward to March with the Greek Americans at the Greek Parade on Fifth Avenue, March 26. She thanked Greek for their contribution to bringing freedom to the world.
Greek Council General in New York Dr. Constantine Koutras said U.S. is the country that may understand better than anyone else the message of the Greek Independence, because when the founders of the country gathered in Philadelphia to draft the Declaration of their freedom, they knew that the penalty for high treason to the throne was death.
“That was exactly what Greeks declared in 1821”, Koutras said, He also praised the important roles the American philhellenes played in the Greek Revolution.
Greeting were also offered by the President of the Federation Petros Galatoulas who invited all to the Parade on Fifth Avenue.
Special recognitions were presented to the four honorees.
Source: greeknewsonline.com