"REBETONEIRA" INSPIRE A CHORUS OF SONG AND DANCE



Dearborn, MI

The Foundation for Modern Greek Studies (FMGS), in celebration of its 10-year anniversary, hosted its second fundraising event "Rebetoneira" at the City Tavern Restaurant in Dearborn, MI on Saturday, September 9, 2006. The second in a series of events to be hosted to endow the perpetuity or a new Chair in Modern Greek History and Culture at the University of Michigan to complement the existing also endowed C.P. Cavafy Chair in Modern Greek Language and Literature.

The evening was a casual gathering of friends who were spirited away by the melodic tunes of the group, "Rebetoniera" who were especially invited from Chicago to entertain for the evening. The chorus of voices raised well into the morning, as guests harmonized with the memorable acoustic offerings. (photos)

Event coordinator, and President of FMGS, Dr. Dimitri Pallas, welcomed those in attendance, and announced the upcoming Gala Event to be held at the Atheneum Hotel and International Banquet Center, on November 11, 2006. Those interested in this worthy effort were encouraged to plan to attend and share in the organization's milestone event.

In 2000, the University of Michigan received a major gift from FMGS that made possible the establishment of the endowed C.P. Cavafy Chair. Since the establishment of the Cavafy Chair, the Modern Greek Program, along with offering a major and minor in Modern Greek Studies, has grown to integrate student scholarships, annual lectures, conferences, panels, library and internet resources, special research projects, study abroad opportunities, and global collaboration into its offerings (made possible in part by an additional annual gift agreement of $15,000 from FMGS). This significant growth, (up to 300 students taking courses per academic year), along with unyielding student and community interest, is what inspired FMGS to move forward in raising money to endow a second Chair, this time in Modern Greek History and Culture. The funds required for the creation of the second Chair will total over two million dollars and may be named after a major donor who is willing to make a significant contribution to leave a permanent legacy for his family. "We have the right experience and a ten-year record of great success, so we are very optimistic," says Dr. Dimitri Pallas, President of FMGS.

In addition to full classes and successful cultural events, another source of inspiration for FMGS is the global reach of the Modern Greek Program. The University of Michigan Library, together with Google, is in the process of digitizing Greek books in their entirety and making them available online for free. Another example of the Modern Greek Program's global reach is the Program's website (www.lsa.umich.edu/modgreek), which contains exclusive, never before released academic and cultural Greek material. "As the members of the Foundation for Modern Greek Studies move forward in their campaign, they know that they are supporting a university which shares its resources with the whole world," states Prof. Vassilis Lambropoulos, who holds the C.P. Cavafy Chair.

Michigan is one of the few universities in the country that cover the entire spectrum of Hellenism, both chronologically and geographically. From the prehistoric Aegean to classical Athens and from early Byzantium to 20th-century Alexandria and 21st-century Greeks in Detroit, the Modern Greek faculty introduces exciting Greek adventures to thousands of students and members of the community every year. "Adding a specialist in contemporary Greek history is the next step in the growth of our Program," says Prof. Vassilis Lambropoulos. His distinguished colleagues at the Program are Professor Artemis Leontis and Lecturer Despina Margomenou.

It is FMGS' vision to enhance the Center for Modern Greek Culture and Policy at a premier institution such as the University of Michigan with the addition of a Chair in Modern Greek History and eventually Chairs in Political Science and Anthropology.

Contact:
Dr. Dimitri Pallas
President
Foundation for Modern Greek Studies
18894 Valencia
Northville Twp., MI 48168
Phone: 1-248-596-9668
dpallasmd@sbcglobal.net

Kalliope Balatsoukas
Administrator FMGS
Phone: 1-313-443-4311

Malista!