**M E D I A A L E R T**
Event: 75th Annual AHEPA Family Excursion to Greece, Cyprus, and the Patriarchate
??Originally began March 19, 1928, as approximately 1,000 Ahepans and their families
participated on the Excursion. They went via ship, the S.S. Sinaia. They were led by then
Supreme President Dean Alfange.
Who: The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the world’s leading
Hellenic heritage organization. There will be as many as 20 participants on this Excursion, led
by Supreme President Dr. James F. Dimitriou and Canadian President Lazarus Kalipolidis.
Why: A journey to strengthen ties between AHEPA and Greece, Cyprus, and the Ecumenical
Patriarchate through meetings with government officials and religious leaders, and through the
continued development of projects and programs benefiting Hellenism. Examples of projects
for discussion and initiatives enacted include:
??The revival of the AHEPA Journey to Greece Program for young Hellenes in the summer of
2004
??AHEPA’s partnership with Cartan Tours, offering a travel program for the 2004 Olympic
Games
??A visit into occupied northern Cyprus to meet with the Enclaved and Turkish Cypriot
leaders. AHEPA previously crossed the “Green Line” on two occasions, in 1979 and in
2001.
When: Thursday, June 26 to Wednesday, July 9
Where: June 26 - 27; July 2 - 6: Athens
June 28 - 29: Thessaloniki
June 29 to July 2: Nicosia, Cyprus
July 6 - 9: Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey
Additional Excursion/Schedule Information:
??Meeting with Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyiannis, June 27
??A tour/visit to the AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki, (celebrating 50 years), June 28
??Meeting with President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, July 1
??Meeting with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, George Iacovou, July 1
??Event with Kostis Stephanopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic, July 3
??Meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis, July 3
??Events with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on July 7 and 8
For More Information:
??On-site Excursion Coordinator, AHEPA Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis, via cell, 202.251.1476
??In Washington: Andrew Kaffes, AHEPA Director of Public Relations, 202.232.6300, Ext. 204, or via
cell, 202.441.5099.
??Visit www.ahepa.org
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