06 Jul With the presence of Professor Dr Larry Howard, the lecture titled “Who Eleftherios Venizelos Truly Was” took place in New York, USA.
The lecture was held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with the presence of Professor Dr. Larry Howard, under the title “Who Eleftherios Venizelos Truly Was”. It was co-organized by the U.S. Chapter of the Eleftherios K. Venizelos Foundation and the Famagusta Council*, at the Cultural Center of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Astoria, New York. The lecture was delivered by Mr. Nickos Kastrinakis, President of the Venizelos Foundation USA and President of the World Council of Cretans, and was introduced by the founder of the Famagusta Council, Mr. Alexandros Ammochostianos. Dr. Larry Howard, Professor of Global Business and Transportation at the Maritime College and an expert in International Law and the Law of the Sea, remarked: “It was a very interesting lecture. The short film featuring Eleftherios Venizelos’ speech in support of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and his contribution to its creation was fascinating. It inspired me to further research his involvement in the League of Nations and the establishment of the Permanent Court of International Justice.”
The approximately one-hour lecture was followed by a dialogue with the audience, during which questions were answered. At the conclusion of the event, Mr. Ammochostianos presented a copy of a thank-you letter sent by Eleftherios Venizelos in November 1912 to the members of the People’s Reading Room “Anorthosis” in Famagusta, in appreciation for their financial support of the national struggle. Mr. Ammochostianos noted that it is well known that, during the fundraising campaign, many families from Famagusta donated their gold wedding rings so that this struggle would become the “engagement” for union of Cyprus with Greece.
The event was honored by the presence of the newly elected Vice President of the Pancretan Association of America, Ms. Maria Sopasi; the former President of the Cretan Association “Omonia”, Mr. Kyriakos Marangoudakis; the President of the Cretan Women’s Association “Pasiphae”, Ms. Ioanna Kouridaki; the President of the Cretan Association “Minos”, Mr. Manolis Koinakis; the President of the Women’s Sisterhood of Brooklyn, NY, Ms. Cleo Manousaki; and the Secretary of the Venizelos Foundation USA, Ms. Maria Stratoudakis. The evening concluded with a small reception offered to attendees by the Famagusta Council.
1.Members and Presidents of the Cretan Clubs of New York with Dr. Larry Howard.
2. From Left to Right: Secretary Venizelos Foundation USA Mrs Maria Stratoudakis, Dr. Larry Howard of Maritime College with his wife Jameela Haritini Howard, Mr. Nickos Kastrinakis, Mr. Alexandros Amohostianos, Former President of “Omonoia” Mr. Charles Marangoudakis and PAA Membership Vice President Maria Sopasis.
3. The lecture was delivered by Mr. Nickos Kastrinakis, President of the Venizelos Foundation USA and President of the World Council of Cretans.
* The FAMAGUSTA Council is a new endeavor here in America aimed at creating a think tank that focuses on global issues, with a particular interest in matters relating to the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece, Cyprus, Europe, and the Middle East.