NEW YORK – The East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) presents the Hellenic Orphans Taken Abroad from 1821 through the 1960’s Panel Discussion Webinar on January 31 at 2 PM EST (11 AM PST, 9 PM Athens EEST). The panel for this unique event will be moderated by EMBCA President Lou Katsos.

The distinguished panel will include Professor Gonda Van Steen, the Koraes Chair of Modern Greek and Byzantine History and Director of the Centre for Hellenic Studies at King's College; historian, educator, author Constantine Hatzidimitriou, and Dr. Theodosios Kyriakidis, the Chair of Pontic Studies in the School of History and Archaeology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

As noted by Katsos in the event description, the etymology of the word orphan is Hellenic (orphanos) and refers to a child whose parents have died, are unknown or have permanently abandoned them. Wars, genocide, economic problems, cultural stigmas, social chaos, natural disasters, and plagues are just some of the factors that have left tens of thousands of orphans behind through the last two centuries.

Katsos noted the April, 1822 Chios Massacre as an example.

The topic of Hellenic orphans (and some not so) brought over to America from the Hellenic Revolution and through the Cold War period will be discussed in the online event. Due to the enormity of this Hellenic orphans topic the panel discussion will focus on three areas and time periods- the Hellenic Revolution of 1821 orphans that were brought to America, the 30-year Hellenic genocide period (1894-1924) Hellenic orphans, and the Hellenic Cold War period orphans that were brought abroad in the 1950's and 60's.

As Katsos said, “We hope this panel discussion and conversation contributes to a wave of research and continuing discussions on this very important but not often, and by most rarely, discussed topic.”

He added, “This event and others we have had, and are being planned are part of EMBCA’s American Hellenic Revolution of 1821 Bicentennial Committee series of events focusing not only on the Revolution but also importantly on the American, Diaspora and International aspects and influences of the Revolution for its upcoming 200 Year Anniversary.”