Centennial Events Chairman’s Message
L
Emmanuel E.
Velivasakis, P.E.
Chairman of the Centennial Festivities,
former PAA President and current
PAA Foundation Chair
adies and Gentlemen,
Tonight, we are here to
celebrate the Cretan Spirit,
the spirit of the Cretan fighters, who for generations upon
generations fought numerous
barbaric occupiers of their
island, to gain freedom and
finally union (ENOSIS) with
mother Greece. This Cretan
Spirit was captured so vividly by our compatriot Nikos
Kazantzakis in his epic novel
“Kapetan Michalis” with the
following caption:
“There are nations and people who cry to God in
prayer with tearful eyes, or with perseverance and
stamina or with cursing. The Cretans call upon Him
with the rifle. They stand outside the Lord’s door and
thunder the rifle for Him to hear. Mutiny! Screams
the Sultan. Insolence! Shout the Franks. Patience, be
decent, do not drag me in blood, begs poor mother
Greece. “Freedom or Death,” respond the Cretans and
thunder on the door of the Lord.” —Nikos Kazantzakis
in Captain Michalis
It is with distinct pleasure and honor that I welcome
all and each one of you to this very special Centennial
Awards Gala event.
This Pancretan Centennial Awards Gala is designed
to highlight to our members, the new generations of
Greek-Americans and to the broader American public, the history and successful course of the Pancretan
Association of America during its 84 years of existence
and to bring the new generation closer to our organization, being proud of their roots and history. Additionally, this year in particular, we celebrate the Centennial
Anniversary of the Union of Crete with Greece, an important milestone in the turbulent history of our heroic
island. Finally, this Gala is intended to show the “world”
that we Cretan-Americans know how to honor and recognize those individuals who have contributed a great
deal for the good and progress of Hellenism and Omogenia at large.
Undoubtedly, many of our members and friends assembled here tonight are “beaming with pride,” not
only because we are celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the Union (ENOSIS) of our beloved island of
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Crete with mother Greece, but also because of the superb
opportunity afforded to us, to honor two distinguished
award recipients and at the same time to further the visibility and increase the standing of our own Pancretan
Organization and that of our members. The Pancretan Association has played a critical role in the lives of thousands
of its Cretan American members, fostering our Hellenic
culture and language, education and philanthropy, as well
as being the critical link between Crete and the U.S.
Tonight, in addition to our own modest achievements,
we celebrate the tremendous contributions of two distinguished individuals, who by their deeds and words epitomize our own beliefs and commitment to excellence. Her
Excellency Mrs. Dora Bakoyannis, former Foreign Minister of Greece and current Member of Parliament, will be
receiving the Venizelion Award for Public Service and Mr.
Harry Mark Petrakis, a renowned Greek-American author
and novelist will be receiving the Kazantzakis Award for
his contributions and advancement to the Arts and Letters. These awards are the highest honors and distinctions
that the Pancretan Association can bestow on worthy and
accomplished individuals. I congratulate them both and
wish them long life and continued success for the benefit
of all humanity.
These festivities are even more special given the presence of so many friends and dignitaries, including the attendance of the Secretary General of the Region of Crete,
Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, the Mayors of Municipalities of
Malevizi, Mr. Kostas Mamoulakis, and Sitia Mr. Thodoris
Paterakis, as well as the President of DOPAM of the Malevizi Municipality, Mr. George Aerakis, all of whom I sincerely thank on behalf of our organization.
Lastly, I would like to thank all the Centennial Organizing Committee members, sub-committee chairs, hosts,
musicians, dancers, participants and especially Mrs. Maria Koudelou, President of the Joint Cultural Committee of the NY/NJ Cretan Chapters and my friend Kostas
Travayiakis of Boston for his masterful work and valuable
contributions to the success of this Gala.
Thank you all very much for honoring us with your presence here tonight and enjoy the evening. K
Sincerely,
Emmanuel E. Velivasakis