The Society of Epirotes Anagenèse, the Ladies Auxiliary Souliotisses and the Heritage Museum celebrate unique events

“Our freedom depends on the freedom of the press, and this cannot be limited without being lost. » — Thomas Jefferson, founding father of the United States. The Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis” and the Ladies Auxiliary “Souliotisses”, the Heritage Museum of Epirus and Hellenic News of America celebrated “OXI” Day on Friday evening, October 28, 2016 at 514 Broadway (between 29th Street and Crescent St. ) in Astoria. The Epirotes Societies and Museum honored the 29th anniversary of Hellenic News under the leadership of Paul Kotrotsios, founder of Hellenic News of America and president of Hermes Expo International. Dr. Stefanos Foussas, President of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology, was the keynote speaker. National and international leaders spoke. More than a hundred people were present. A sumptuous Greek cuisine reception followed. Political leaders and members of the national and international community sent their greetings. “Oxi” Day commemorates the Hellenic counterattack against the invading Italian forces in the Pindus Mountains during World War II.
“Greece is going through difficult paths,” explained keynote speaker Dr. Foussas. “We will find the solution and overcome our problems. I am very touched to see people here tonight who look like my family. On August 15, 1940, the elderly, the young and the sick prayed at the Evangelistria Church in front of the miraculous icon of the “Panagia tis Tinou”. The Italian Axis torpedoes and sinks the battle cruiser Elli. Horrible! Greece has not declared war. On October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, issued an ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas to surrender. He replied “Oxi” (No). Italian troops invade the Pindus Mountains on October 28. The sacred ground of Marathon and the sacrifice of the 300 immortal Spartans at Thermopylae came to life in the heart of every Greek.
Winston Churchill said: “If it had not been for the virtue and courage of the Greeks, we do not know what the outcome of the Second World War would have been… We will say that the Greeks fought like heroes, but let the heroes fight like Greeks. » Dr. Foussas explained that Epirotian women carried food and ammunition on their backs across the mountains to the Greek troops. On October 21, 1940, the Greek army liberated Greek Epirus, reaching Koritza and Argyrokastro. A world power could not defeat the Greeks.” My father-in-law George Panagiotis, a farmer from Arcadia in the Peloponnese, fought in the victorious Pindos campaign. He was taken prisoner of war. He escaped the Axis powers by marching from Yugoslavia to the Peloponnese.
On April 6, 1941, the Germans arrived. The German occupation began. Especially during the first winter of the occupation (1941-1942), the food shortage was acute and the famine hit mainly the urban centers of the country. The food shortage reached its peak and a famine was inevitable. During this winter, the mortality rate reached a peak. It was the worst famine the Greeks had experienced since ancient times. Greek soldiers continued to fight on the mainland and in the Battle of Crete in May. There, large numbers of civilians even took part in the fighting against the German airborne invaders. At El Alamein, the Greek battalions fought valiantly.
“It’s now 76 years later,” he said. “What is happening in Greece? We have another German occupation. We have been ruined as a nation, forgetting our language and our traditions. Television has ruined our nation. We have lost our fortune. Our country has hungry loans. No, in October 2016, our country which fought for heroism, has a bad image in terms of public relations. You must keep trying. We must maintain the ethics of 1940 and set an example for future generations.”
The speaker concluded his presentation with famous quotes from World War II. Charles de Gaul: “I am not able to express all the gratitude I feel for the heroic resistance of the Greek people and leaders. » (Excerpt from one of his speeches to the French Parliament after the end of the Second World War). Joseph Vissarionovich Tzougasvili Stalin: “I am sorry because I am getting old and I will not live long to thank the Greek people, whose resistance decided the Second World War. » (Excerpt from a speech broadcast by Moscow radio on January 31, 1943 after the victory of Stalingrad and the capitulation of Marshal Paulus). Adolf Hitler: “For the sake of historical truth, I must verify that only the Greeks, among all the adversaries who faced us, fought with daring courage and the utmost contempt for death..” (Excerpt from a speech which he delivered in the Reichstag on May 4, 1941).
Benito Mussolini: “The war with Greece proved that nothing is firm in the army and that surprises always await us. » (Excerpt from a speech he gave on 10/5/1941). Georgy Constantinovich Zhoucov 1896-1974 Marshal of the Soviet Army: “If the Russian people managed to put up resistance at the gates of Moscow, to stop and reverse the German torrent, they owe it to the Greek people, who delayed the divisions Germans during the war. It’s about time they brought us to our knees. (Quote from his memoirs of World War II). Franklin D Roosevelt, President of the United States 1933 – 1945: “On October 28, 1940, Greece was given a three-hour deadline to decide on war or peace, but even if a three-day deadline, three weeks or three years was granted, the answer would have been the same. The Greeks taught dignity over the centuries. When the whole world had lost all hope, the Greek people dared to question the invincibility of the German monster, raising the proud spirit of freedom against it.”
AESHYLE: “BECAUSE WE ALONE (THE GREEKS), Unlike THE BARBARIANS, NEVER COUNT THE ENEMY IN COMBAT. » “It’s us,” said Dr. Foussas. Our country. We will keep Greece free. Zito I Ellada (long live Greece). “
The 29th anniversary of the Hellenic News of America is honored by the presence of Paul Kotrotsios, founder of the newspaper and of Hermes Expo International. He is from the village of Parakalamo, Yiannina, Epirus, near the Albanian border. Globalism eliminates borders, culture and language. Mr. Kotrotsios fights these negative effects. “We must keep Hellenism and our ethics alive,” he believes. “The business and education sectors must help us at the Hellenic News of America and the annual Hermes Expo International keep our legacy alive. We must not assimilate. Today more than ever, we must work more intensely to perpetuate our traditions.
The Hellenic News of America has successfully integrated itself into social media. THE hellenicnews.com is a colorful and informative website that has an international audience. The newspaper’s presence on the Internet delivers a message brilliantly promoting language, culture and religion. He is a humble, self-taught man who believes that “to have a friend, you have to be a friend.” Kotrotsios Publisher helped immigrants and Americans seek economic opportunities. It is a reflection of the many supporters of Hellenism who came from the mountains of Epirus. Ms. Linda Kotrotsios has been the shadow force for twenty-nine years. His administration is remarkable. Ms. Aphrodite Kotrotsios, co-editor of the Hellenic News of America, her family and staff continue this extraordinary newspaper online and in print. Congratulations to Hellenic News of America’s continued support of Hellenic Education and Hellenic Education organizations.
Ms. Chrisoula Zikopoulos, Director, said: “The Epirus Heritage Museum was founded in 2003 under the auspices of the Society of Epirotes “Anagenesis” and the Ladies Auxiliary “Souliotisses”. The Epirus Heritage Museum is the only functioning Greek heritage museum in the New York metropolitan area. We encourage all to explore the museum’s rich collection of loom-woven textiles, traditional clothing, handcrafted jewelry, agricultural and household tools, and photographs.
The director explained that “the museum is located in the heart of the Greek community in Astoria, Queens. It is dedicated to preserving the culture and cultural traditions of Epirus, Greece. We make Hellenic heritage accessible in ways that enrich present and future generations through exhibitions and public programs. This is our gift to our children. I am committed to bringing our children to our pride, our treasure, the Epirus Heritage Museum. Nobody has what we have. Professor Nicholas Alexiou of Queens College brought his students for a visit and is here this evening. The museum is located on the third floor of the Epirotan Cultural Center at 2514 Broadway (between 29th Street and Crescent Street) in Astoria. It is conveniently located 3 blocks from the Broadway stop on the N and Q subway lines.