The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association was founded in 1922 and evolved into the largest Greek-American institution after the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It was founded to combat racism and xenophobia faced by Greeks in America in the 1910s and early 1920s and to encourage Greeks to Americanize as a means of protection. During its first decade of existence it made significant progress in achieving these goals. So much so that it risked becoming a victim of its own success as racism and xenophobia subsided with the outbreak of World War II and Greeks were slowly but surely accepted into mainstream America. But at that point AHEPA deftly turned around and embraced Hellenism as well as Americanism and continued to adapt in the following centuries allowing it to celebrate its centennial in 2022 as Hellenic America. This seminar will examine AHEPA's 100-year history and explain why and how it has adapted so well to the changing American landscape and Greek American identity.
Curriculum vitae:
Alexander Kitroeff was born in Athens and educated in the United Kingdom, where he received his PhD in modern history from the University of Oxford. He is currently Professor of History at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the evolution of the national identity of Greeks both in Greece and in the diaspora, through publications on sports and politics. His most recent books are: The Greeks and the Making of Modern Egypt (2019), Greek Orthodoxy in America: a modern history (2020) and The History of AHEPA 1922-2022. He has also collaborated with director Maria Iliou as a historical consultant on several documentaries, including "The Journey: The Greek Dream in America", "Smyrni 1922: The Destruction of a Cosmopolitan City" and "Athens Between East & West, 1821- 1896” which is the first of a 5-part series on the modern history of the city. Kitroeff is currently working on the history of Greek restaurants and dining in America.
Those wishing to purchase the book can follow him link
Never: Thursday, June 13, 7 p.m
Speakers: Alexander Kitroeff
Seminar Title: 100 YEARS BETWEEN AMERICANISM AND HELLENICISM
Where: The seminar will take place online at you Buffer Tube and Facebook
