07 May In Washington, D.C., USA, the 90th anniversary of the death of the national leader Eleftherios Venizelos was commemorated.
In Washington, D.C., USA, commemorative events marking the 90th anniversary of the death of national statesman Eleftherios Venizelos continued with particular solemnity. The events began on Thursday, May 7, 2026, with a tribute ceremony in front of the historic statue of Eleftherios Venizelos, located outside the Embassy of Greece in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., and created by the renowned sculptor Yannis Pappas.
A wreath was laid by the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Mr. Antonis Alexandridis, and the President of the Venizelos Foundation USA and President of the World Council of Cretans, Mr. Nickos Kastrinakis. The wreath was placed at the statue of exceptional artistic and historical value, a work by the distinguished sculptor Yannis Pappas, who created numerous statues of Venizelos throughout Greece, including those in front of the Hellenic Parliament, in Thessaloniki, and in Heraklion, Crete. This particular statue holds special significance, as it is a smaller-scale version of the monument located at Eleftherias Park near the U.S. Embassy in Athens, while its only identical replica is housed at the Benaki Museum in Athens. The statue was restored two years ago, in 2024, under the responsibility of the Venizelos Foundation USA.
Also participating in the wreath-laying ceremony were the Consul of Greece in Washington, D.C., Mr. Michalis Skopelitis, the Army Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel (GRC-A) Mr. Dimitrios Tasioulas; the Naval Attaché, Commander HN Mr. Konstantinos Michail, and the Air Force Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Mr. Dimitrios Oiconomopoulos. Also present were the Governor of the 3rd District of the Pancretan Association of America (P.A.A.), Ms. Sophia Getchell, the President of the P.A.A. Chapter “Nikos Kazantzakis” of the greater Washington, D.C. area, Ms. Theodora Petrakis, along with many chapter members, Mr. George Marafatso, as well as the entire staff of the Embassy.
At the reception hosted at the Ambassador’s Residence, the Ambassador thanked the Foundation for its work and emphasized that “Eleftherios Venizelos continues to remain the principal architect of modern Greek history and is always remembered as a symbol of wisdom, democracy, and devotion to duty.” Mr. Kastrinakis had the opportunity to thank the Ambassador and present him with an honorary distinction on behalf of the World Council of Cretans. In addition, as Executive Vice President of the P.A.A., he thanked the Defense Attachés for their service and presented them with the P.A.A. Veterans Commemorative Coin.
The following day, Friday, May 8, 2026, at an event organized by the P.A.A. Chapter “Nikos Kazantzakis” at the “Hellenic Center,” a lecture was delivered by the President of the Venizelos Foundation USA entitled “Transforming a Nation | Eleftherios Venizelos 1864–1936.” The event was honored by the presence of the Defense Attachés, Dr. Ismini and Dr. Christopher Lamb, biographers of the American Consul in Smyrna during the period of the Asia Minor Catastrophe from Georgetown University, the Governor of the 3rd District of the P.A.A., Ms. Sophia Getchell, as well as a large audience. The presentation was followed by a highly engaging and extended discussion.
The event concluded with a reception held with the support of the “Nikos Kazantzakis” Chapter of the P.A.A.
