New PAA Board Swearing-in on Our Property at Atsipopoulo
Click here for this announcement in Greek
The farewell “glendi” on our property at Atsipopoulo was the culmination of the 41st PAA National convention with the swearing-in of the new PAA Board and the new PAA President Theodore Manousakis. A crowd of approximately 500 conventioneers, Cretan-Americans visiting Crete, local people, and dignitaries including the Governor and the Mayor of Rethymnon, enjoyed a relaxing evening in the open air setting amidst the beautiful oak trees that enrich our property. People started gathering from 7pm on the beautiful Thursday evening of July 23rd and walked around the 7.5 acres (30-stremmata) land on a tour guided by Nikos Peppas, the architect of the PAA Minoan Cultural Village, who explained the plans of the forthcoming development and received feedback from the participants.
The event was being co-hosted by the “Politistico Syllogo Atsipopoulou” (Cultural Club of Atsipopoulo) and the PAA Minoan Village, Inc. In preparation for the event, a portion of the land had been cleared (pro bono by Stelios Chourdakis) for tables and chairs and a concrete “pista” had been poured for the dancing. Our good friend Manolis Kaklis brought his chef for the “antikristo” and “pilafi” and a new friend, Dimitris Syrianoglou, donated the excellent organic wine and “tsikoudia” that sparked the event. Musicians from Atsipopoulo played for our dancing pleasure and later our own youth displayed their talent at lyra and laouto, while the late night “kantada” was provided by a “parea” from Melambes.
The Chairman of the 41st Convention and President of the PAA Minoan Village Inc, Stavros N. Semanderes, greeted the guests and offered a brief description of PAA’s plans regarding the development of the property. He also introduced and thanked those present who have contributed toward making our “home” in Crete a reality. He then introduced the newly elected Board which was sworn in by Father Emmanuel Giannoulis of St. Eleftherios Parish in Atsipopoulo. Our new President, Ted Manousakis, thanked the people and promised to work hard in the following two years to strengthen PAA and its programs. Following the Orkomosia, the new Board started the dancing, and then our youth continued with dance performances by PYA members as well as groups from the Atsipopoulo Cultural Club and its dancing group “Erofili”. PAA members and locals enjoyed “vrasto”, “pilafi”, salads, and pies all prepared in traditional Cretan style. Music groups from Atsipopoulo and Manolis Kaklis entertained our friends till midnight, while PYA musicians took the lead on the podium later on. It was around midnight also when the “antikristo” was served, after it had been roasting for six hours in the old Cretan way.
PAA’s property in Atsipopoulo will soon become our ‘’home’’ in Crete. The 5-star PAA Minoan Cultural Village is planned, with the help of the Greek state, to become the bridge that links Cretan-Americans with Crete, its culture, history, and tradition. It will be a vibrant place where our members, especially the younger generations, will be able to enjoy the superior amenities while at the same time discover the many dimensions of Crete and Cretan culture. Through such an experience they will get to know and be proud of their heritage and that will be a win-win for everyone.
The vision of establishing a permanent “home” in Crete for all future generations through the PAA Minoan Cultural Village has been supported by many people both in the United States as well as in Crete. As soon as someone in Crete hears of the project they immediately volunteer to help. The “glendi” at Atsipopoulo was greatly supported by our friends in Crete. We express our gratitude and appreciation to: Father Emmanuel Giannoulis, Tryphon Motakis, Dimitris Syrianoglou, Manolis Kaklis, Stelios Chourdakis, Nikos Peppas, John Koulakis, Takis Phoundoulakis, the Atsipopoulo Cultural Club and its President Despina Aggelidaki, the Dance Group of Atsipopoulo “Erofili”, and Atsipopoulo Youth.
Please visit our website to stay tuned with the PAA Minoan Cultural Village project: www.paamcv.com
“Antikristo” had been roasting for nearly six hours
New PAA Board was sworn in by Father Emmanuel Giannoulis
People enjoyed dancing in open air amidst oak trees
The farewell “glendi” on our property at Atsipopoulo was the culmination of the 41st PAA National convention with the swearing-in of the new PAA Board and the new PAA President Theodore Manousakis. A crowd of approximately 500 conventioneers, Cretan-Americans visiting Crete, local people, and dignitaries including the Governor and the Mayor of Rethymnon, enjoyed a relaxing evening in the open air setting amidst the beautiful oak trees that enrich our property. People started gathering from 7pm on the beautiful Thursday evening of July 23rd and walked around the 7.5 acres (30-stremmata) land on a tour guided by Nikos Peppas, the architect of the PAA Minoan Cultural Village, who explained the plans of the forthcoming development and received feedback from the participants.
The event was being co-hosted by the “Politistico Syllogo Atsipopoulou” (Cultural Club of Atsipopoulo) and the PAA Minoan Village, Inc. In preparation for the event, a portion of the land had been cleared (pro bono by Stelios Chourdakis) for tables and chairs and a concrete “pista” had been poured for the dancing. Our good friend Manolis Kaklis brought his chef for the “antikristo” and “pilafi” and a new friend, Dimitris Syrianoglou, donated the excellent organic wine and “tsikoudia” that sparked the event. Musicians from Atsipopoulo played for our dancing pleasure and later our own youth displayed their talent at lyra and laouto, while the late night “kantada” was provided by a “parea” from Melambes.
The Chairman of the 41st Convention and President of the PAA Minoan Village Inc, Stavros N. Semanderes, greeted the guests and offered a brief description of PAA’s plans regarding the development of the property. He also introduced and thanked those present who have contributed toward making our “home” in Crete a reality. He then introduced the newly elected Board which was sworn in by Father Emmanuel Giannoulis of St. Eleftherios Parish in Atsipopoulo. Our new President, Ted Manousakis, thanked the people and promised to work hard in the following two years to strengthen PAA and its programs. Following the Orkomosia, the new Board started the dancing, and then our youth continued with dance performances by PYA members as well as groups from the Atsipopoulo Cultural Club and its dancing group “Erofili”. PAA members and locals enjoyed “vrasto”, “pilafi”, salads, and pies all prepared in traditional Cretan style. Music groups from Atsipopoulo and Manolis Kaklis entertained our friends till midnight, while PYA musicians took the lead on the podium later on. It was around midnight also when the “antikristo” was served, after it had been roasting for six hours in the old Cretan way.
PAA’s property in Atsipopoulo will soon become our ‘’home’’ in Crete. The 5-star PAA Minoan Cultural Village is planned, with the help of the Greek state, to become the bridge that links Cretan-Americans with Crete, its culture, history, and tradition. It will be a vibrant place where our members, especially the younger generations, will be able to enjoy the superior amenities while at the same time discover the many dimensions of Crete and Cretan culture. Through such an experience they will get to know and be proud of their heritage and that will be a win-win for everyone.
The vision of establishing a permanent “home” in Crete for all future generations through the PAA Minoan Cultural Village has been supported by many people both in the United States as well as in Crete. As soon as someone in Crete hears of the project they immediately volunteer to help. The “glendi” at Atsipopoulo was greatly supported by our friends in Crete. We express our gratitude and appreciation to: Father Emmanuel Giannoulis, Tryphon Motakis, Dimitris Syrianoglou, Manolis Kaklis, Stelios Chourdakis, Nikos Peppas, John Koulakis, Takis Phoundoulakis, the Atsipopoulo Cultural Club and its President Despina Aggelidaki, the Dance Group of Atsipopoulo “Erofili”, and Atsipopoulo Youth.
Please visit our website to stay tuned with the PAA Minoan Cultural Village project: www.paamcv.com
Nikos Peppas explains the drawings of the PAA Minoan Cultural Village to our members and friends.
“Antikristo” had been roasting for nearly six hours
New PAA Board was sworn in by Father Emmanuel Giannoulis
People enjoyed dancing in open air amidst oak trees
posted by PAA Minoan Cultural Village at
6:20 PM
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