VP Joe Biden to Meet Greek-American Leaders

US Vice President Joe Biden will hold a meeting late May with the leadership of overseas Cypriots and Greeks, in Washington, who will outline the positions of the Greek-American community on various issues concerning Greece and Cyprus.

President of the International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA) Philip Christopher has said that the meeting will take place 22 of May.

In statements recently in Astoria, Christopher said that the positions of the new US government during its first 100 days in office, on Greek and Cypriot national issues, have been positive.

“The fact that President Obama has held a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis before going to Turkey and that he spoke positively about the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Cyprus issue, as well as his, even brief, meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, is our success”, he noted.

Christopher expressed the view that the Obama government foreign policy on Greek and Cypriot issues would be different and more positive.

He also noted the contribution of Cypriots overseas to the meeting held in Prague between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou as well as to Clinton’s positions on the Skopje issue.

(source: CNA)

Greek Independence Celebrations in Boston

Our favorite time of year is once again upon us! The celebration of Greek Independence Day is a wonderful time for all Hellenes, especially the Greeks who operate a Greek community website! In order to make things a little easier for all who would like to observe the festivities this weekend, we put together an event list with times, locations, and descriptions so you can pick and choose how you would like to celebrate. Our personal advice to all of our fellow Hellenes would be to attend and support each and every event! Below is our Greek Independence Celebration schedule - ZHTO H ELLAS!

The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England Event Listing for 15th Greek Independence Day Parade

Friday, April 24th, 2009 – 1:30–4:00 PM
Massachusetts State House
Greek Independence Day Commemoration
House of Representative’s Chamber
Hosted by Governor Deval Patrick & the Massachusetts Legislature
The State House Greek Independence Day Commemoration will be held in the House of Representative’s Chamber from 3:00-4:00PM. Public reception with Greek folk dances prior to the Commemoration in the Hall of Flags from 1:30-3:00PM. Governor’s Proclamation to be delivered by Lt. Governor Tim Murray.

Friday, April 24th, 2009 (Immediately following State House event)
Consulate General of Greece
Reception in honor of the Commemoration of Greek Independence Day
Hosted by the Consul General of Greece Constantinos Orphanides

Friday, April 24, 2009 – 5:00-7:45PM
Stuart Street Playhouse (Radisson)
Miss Greek Independence/ In conjunction with the George Perris Concert: A Musical Journey
Featuring George Perris and the selection of Miss Greek Independence 2009
Contestant Registration: 5PM-6PM
City Room, Radisson Hotel/ Boston, MA
Contestants should arrive dressed in formal attire. $25 Registration Fee (includes admission to concert)
Contestant Time with Judges: 6-7:45PM
Contestants will meet judges and asked a series of questions. Contestants will be introduced to the audience during concert intermission, and the winners will be announced after the show.

George Perris Concert : A Musical Journey 8:00 PM
Repertoire by Hadjidakis, Theodorakis, Plessas, and others.
Tickets at $25.00 in advance or $30.00 at the door. For tickets: 617-547-4770
Presented By: FHASNE, The Greek Institute, and GreekBoston.com

Saturday, April 25th, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Carver Ballroom, Radisson Hotel
200 Stuart Street, Boston,
Boston Greek Independence Day Parade Annual Dinner
Hosted by the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England
Music by the Greek Music Ensemble - Guest appearance by George Perris
Cocktails: 6:30 PM Prime Rib Dinner 7:30 PM
Donation: Sixty-Five Dollars, For Reservations: 617.507.6444

Sunday, April, 26th 2009
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England
Doxology: 10:00 AM, Presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios

Greek Independence Day Parade 1:00 PM
Parade Route: Boylston Street to Charles Street
Grand Marshals: City of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios & Maria Stephanos, FOX25 News Anchor
Presented by the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England In Cooperation with The Metropolis of Boston, The Consulate General of Greece and The Mayor’s Office of Special Events and Tourism

Immediately following the Parade at the Parkman Bandstand
Celebration and "Expo on the Park" at the Boston Common
Featuring Greek folk dance performances, vendors and exhibitors, food, music and children’s events.
Music by The Greek Music Ensemble