CIG in the Local News and Refugee Relief Efforts in Greece, 1918-1928

Kalli Xronia!!! The Institute has re-opened on Monday for the New Year. Jonathan and I are in the process of finalizing the winter/spring lecture and Friends’ programs. These will be announced next Friday!

I would like to remind you that our library hours continue as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 09:00-13:00 and Tuesday and Thursday from 09:00-18:00. Our offices are open 09:00-13:00 each weekday.

CIG in Ta Nea

Marking 70 Years of Ellinokanadiki Philia
The Canadian Embassy in Athens, under the guidance of Ambassador Robert Peck, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the commencement of direct diplomatic relations between the Hellenic Republic and the then Dominion of Canada. Since November there have been a number of cultural events to mark this historic development. The Ta Nea newspaper issued a special section in its Saturday/Sunday edition of November 17th/18th to survey the nature of the relations and the friendships between the two countries.

The section surveys Greek immigration to Canada and Canadian aid to Greece after WW II. The major Canadian business interests in Greece, Bombardier, McCain, Eldorado Gold, Air Transat, Tourgreece, IBI Group and Milos Restaurants were featured. The Institute and its work was also was covered although our relationship with Greece isn’t as long. Besides interviewing Jonathan, Gerry Schaus and me for the story the reporter, Nikola Zois, did a telephone interview with Jacques Perreault. A long and loyal supporter of CIG, Ian Vorres, had extensive coverage of his work and his museum in Paiania. We’re all doing our part to connect the two countries for the mutual benefit of both and their citizens.

Bert Hodge Hill

Bert Hodge Hill and the Greek Refugees of 1918-1928
From 1906 to 1926 Bert Hodge Hill was the Director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. As a dedicated philhellene and long-time resident of Greece he was more than just a foreign excavator and foreign archaeological school administrator. He was deeply involved through various philanthropic organizations in the health and refugee relief problems that Greece suffered during and after WW I and then with the Asia Minor debacle and exchange of populations in 1922. My research into Hill’s work at the American School and contributions to Athens College during the same period revealed his deep commitment to Greece, its people and their needs.

Refugees in the Municipal Theatre of Athens

On Wednesday, January 16th Dr. Eleftheria Daleziou (Carl W. Blegen Library Archives, American School of Classical Studies at Athens) will give a lecture in Greek on Hill’s and the American School’s extensive philanthropic activities between 1918 and 1928 based on her research in various archives. The Lecture is sponsored by the Syllogos Filon tou Istorikou Archaiou tis Archaiologikis Ipereseis. It will be held at the Historical Archive at Psaromylingou 22 on the border between Kerameikos and Psyrri. The Thisio railway station is the closest station.

It should be noted that this Lecture was originally scheduled for Monday, January 14th. In as much as the inaugural seminar of the new “Cycladic Seminar” was much later selected for the same date and time with Colin Renfrew as the presenter it was decided to change the date to the 16th.

Cordially,
David Rupp Director