The time has come! Heritage Greece 2018 is finally here. In the days leading up, excitement has been palpable. With 65 Greek – Americans eager to discover their roots, learn about their heritage, and experience Greece like never before, it’s going to be a two-week adventure they will never forget!

Even though the journey from the States to Greece lasted many hours, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet each other. With friendships quickly establishing on the flight, all they could talk about was what they were going to experience. For Vasiliki Argeroplos, “The flight was really fun; I met a bunch of different people, because I wasn’t sitting next to anyone I already knew coming on the trip. We talked about coming to Greece when we were little to see our yiayia and our Greek proficiency levels, since some people knew Greek and some didn’t.”

Upon touching down, everyone loaded up in to two coaches, and officially started their Heritage Greece adventure!

First, everyone settled in at the new ACG residences, situated in the beautiful neighborhood of Aghia Paraskevi, a suburb right on the outskirts of Athens, just at the bottom of mount Hymettus. The participants were treated to a buffet dinner where they met with the program coordinators and their ACG peers; Deree students who volunteered to show the best Greece has to show. Smiles, excitement and tzatziki!

On Sunday, the plan was to quickly get them acquainted with the neighborhood and Deree’s campus. First things first though. It had the ideal weather to spend a day at the ACG swimming pool, to shake off that jet lag. With its beautiful view of Athens, the participants got a taste of what’s to come and were excited for the coming weeks.

Later in the evening, to wet their appetite before dinner at the wonderful Κήπος (Garden), Diane Kochillas, star of “My Greek Table” presented a Greek Cooking Masterclass. The taste and smell of freshness took them aback! Isabella Vliss loved the Masterclass, as “Watching her cut the tomatoes reminded me of my grandma who would make my brother and I fresh Greek salad after swimming in the ocean when we were young.”

After the masterclass, Deree’s Vice President of Enrollment and Administration, Dr. Dimitrios Andreou, and Dean of Students, Dr. Matilda Chatzipanagiotou, warmly welcomed the participants to Greece and to The American College of Greece on behalf of the College’s President, Dr. David G. Horner. They wished that the participants enjoy their stay in Greece, hoping that strong and long-lasting relationships be formed, both between participants and peers, but also to Greece.

What followed next was, indeed, close to their heart. The Lykeio Ellinidon showed them Greek dances, taught them a few and even danced with them! Founded in 1911 by a major figure of Greek feminism, Kalliroi Parren, today it aims to preserve traditional Greek Culture.

Pleasantly surprising everyone with his skill, Evangelos Goodson stood amongst the dancers with his γκάιντα (bagpipe), playing music that everyone danced to.

The participants weren’t phased by the new dances. This is what they had been practicing for back home! Georgia Kollias was enthusiastic about the experience. “Having danced with the Pan Macedonians in Philly, I felt extremely proud to be able to represent Greek Americans within the Greek dance community and to learn some new Icarian dances. When we were dancing, I felt passionate about my heritage – at that moment I felt as though I truly connected with my Greek roots.”

With the first weekend over, a wealth of activities awaits the participants in the following days. Check back every day for the latest news!

Blog editor and photographer: James (Dimitris) Voutsas