• Maliotis Cultural Center
  • May 27, 2025

With hearts full of excitement and minds ready to explore, on May 25, 2025 the Maliotis Cultural Center joyfully welcomed the first official day of the 11th International Summer University: Greek Language, Culture, and Media at the Maliotis Cultural Center of Hellenic College–Holy Cross!

The day began with inspiring greetings from distinguished leaders and officials who honored our mission with their presence—both in person and through video messages. Warm addresses were delivered by:

  • Prokopios Pavlopoulos, former President of the Hellenic Republic (video)
  • Ioannis Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (video)
  • Ioannis Plakiotakis, First Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament
  • Nina Kassimati and Stylianos Petsas, Members of the Hellenic Parliament
  • Dimitrios Katos, President of Hellenic College–Holy Cross
  • George Cantonis, former President of HCHC
  • Symeon Tegos, Consul General of Greece in Boston
  • Ioannis Chrisoulakis, Chairman of the AHEPA International Committee (video)
  • Prof. Christos Michalakelis, President of Study in Greece
  • Alexis Philaktopoulos, Executive Director of College Year in Athens

Following the addresses, the MCC had the privilege of honoring two outstanding figures in journalism: Dimitrios Pefanis, Director of CNN Greece, and Panos Sombolos, acclaimed journalist, author, and former President of the Association of Journalists of Daily Papers of Athens, both received well-deserved Awards of Appreciation.

The event was beautifully moderated by Prof. Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis Mallidis, Dean at the University of Ioannina and Founder of the Program, alongside Chrysoula Kourkounti, Executive Director of the Maliotis Cultural Center. The hall was filled with enthusiastic participants from around the world, united by a shared passion for Hellenic culture and language.