Message from the Director Spring 2026
Spring 2026
Dear friends,
As we enter the spring semester, I am pleased to welcome you back to the Caloyeras Center with renewed purpose. The spring term allows us to deepen conversations begun in the fall and to continue building meaningful connections around scholarship, culture, and community.
This semester, our work continues to affirm the Center’s role as a vibrant cultural and intellectual hub. Through our academic offerings, community programs, and collaborations, we remain committed to fostering dialogue around Greek language, literature, history, contemporary politics, and cultural expression.
The Center continues to offer a full range of academic courses in Modern Greek language and culture, literature, contemporary theater, Greek orthodox spirituality, and history for our undergraduate students, as well as online Modern Greek language courses through our Extension Program, serving learners of all levels in the broader community.
Professor Alexandros Kyriakidis’ appointment as visiting scholar has enriched our curriculum and our students’ academic experience. His expertise and energy have expanded the Center’s academic reach into the field of political science and international relations at a time of significant global geopolitical shifts.
This spring, we are especially excited to present a series of events that highlight the richness and diversity of Modern Greek studies and Greek culture.
On January 17, the Caloyeras Center will host a Zoom presentation, Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography, featuring authors Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys. Held under the auspices of the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, the conversation will explore new perspectives on one of the most influential poets of modern Hellenism. We are grateful for the Consulate’s continued support of Greek letters and scholarship.
On February 7, and in collaboration with the Hellenic American Women Council, we will present Angeliki Giannakopoulos’ Nick the Greek, a compelling one-woman theatrical performance that brings to life the experiences, humor, and resilience of Greek immigrant identity. This powerful production blends storytelling and performance to illuminate the personal dimensions of diaspora history and cultural memory.
Once again this year, the Center will celebrate the Greek Language with a series of events under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles. This year is especially meaningful, as the celebration follows UNESCO’s anticipated 2025 proclamation officially recognizing February 9th as World Day of Greek Language, affirming its contribution to world cultural heritage.
On February 25, we will welcome back to the Center Patricia Barbeito, professor of American literature and award-winning translator of Greek fiction and poetry, for a presentation of her forthcoming translation of acclaimed poet Haris Vlavianos’ collection Renaissance. The presentation is co-hosted by the Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies at LMU and the Hellenic Studies Program at the California State University, Sacramento under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles.
On February 22, we will celebrate Αποκριά with live music and dancing presented by Professor Kyriakidis and his class “Modern Greek History, Culture, and Society” with the participation of the LMU students’ Hellenic Cultural Club. The event is open to the community.
We are also delighted to welcome back to the Center the Hellenic American Women Council’s Up Close and Personalseries on March 1. Dr. Mike Vasilomanolakis will discuss his new book, Flatlines and Laughs. The event promises an engaging and thoughtful conversation that reflects the series’ tradition of intimate dialogue with distinguished voices from the Greek American community.
On March 14, a community-wide celebration of World Day of Greek Language in collaboration with the Hellenic Library of Southern California and other local community organizations will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hellenic Library. Readings, live traditional music, presentations and awards honoring the Ellinomatheia students will mark this important milestone.
In closing, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, the Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, and the Honorary Consul General of Cyprus, the Honorable Andreas Kyprianides, for their steadfast support, as well as to our partner organizations and devoted community members who make these programs possible.
The Center remains deeply grateful to our donors and friends whose generosity sustains our mission and strengthens our future. Your continued support enables us to sustain our academic initiatives, cultural programming, and community outreach.
I hope you will consider making a gift on March 18 for LMU’s DAY OF GIVING and help us unlock matching gifts and reach our goal for the day. Funds from DAY of GIVING will support the position of visiting scholar for the academic year 2026-2027.
I invite you to stay connected with the Center’s activities this spring and to join us in shaping the next chapter of our work together.
As a reminder, our George & Cleola Gavalas Library is open to the public by appointment.
I look forward to welcoming you—both virtually and in person—to our upcoming events and our new multi-use space in University Hall.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Christina Bogdanou, PhD
Director