On Wednesday, July 22, CYA’s Virtual Lecture Series hosted former faculty and long term advisor, Michael Herzfeld,  the Ernest E. Monrad Research Professor of the Social Sciences in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University for a presentation on “Stereotypes and Realities: Reflections from Rural Greece.” 

Although international travel is not an option for many at the moment, followers of CYA Professor Robert Pitt were able to journey to Athens through the eyes of travelers from antiquity to the nineteenth century  during his lecture Travels to Athens from Cyriac to Baedeker  on Wednesday 8 July 2020. The lecture, which is part of CYA’s Virtual Lecture Series, highlighted the rich history of travel and tourism in Greece through the study of travel writing from many different periods. The lecture was moderated by CYA Professor Christine Harrison, who offers a course in travel writing.

On Wednesday, June 24th, 2020, CYA continued its effort to engage with its community through virtual events with its second live lecture. The discussion, titled The Intersection of Technology and Politics: 2020 Edition, was given by CYA Trustee Michail Bletsas, Research Scientist & Director of Computing at MIT’s Media Lab and moderated by Elias Papaioannou, Professor of Economics at the London Business School and Visiting Professor at MIT.

On Wednesday, June 10th 2020, CYA launched its Virtual Lecture Series with a discussion entitled “Plague Crisis Management: From Pericles to Capodistrias.”

The distinguished speakers were Professor at CYA and Professor Emerita of Classics & Mediterranean Studies at the University of Illinois, Prof. Nanno Marinatos, and CYA Trustee Emeritus and Professor of Political History Emeritus at the University of Athens, Prof. Thanos Veremis. Our speakers discussed the handling of contagious illnesses in Athens from the era of Pericles in 439 BC to Greece’s War of Independence and Capodistrias’s leadership.  CYA Professor of Sociology, Rosa Vasilaki, was the moderator of the event, handling questions from viewers, guiding the discussion, and encouraging a fascinating exchange of ideas between the two speakers. CYA President Alexis Phylactopoulos introduced the speakers, establishing the event as an engaging dialogue and exchange of information.

Do you want to experience Greek holidays at their finest? Do you have dietary needs related to veganism, vegetarianism, or even pescatarianism and are wondering if there’s a best time to book your adventure in Greece? Maybe you’re religious or spiritual and want to experience traditions outside your own. If you said yes to any of these, consider enrolling with CYA for their spring semester! I am currently a spring semester student at CYA, but I will miss the celebrations due to having to travel back home in face of the COVID-19 crisis. Wanting to learn about the Greek traditions during this time I spoke with CYA exec. Director of Student Affairs Nadia Meliniotis, and I’m excited to share with you what fascinates me with this season in Greece. 

On February 13, 2020, CYA honored the memory of Ismene Phylactopoulou, its founder, at its annual Founder’s Day event. Ismene’s resilient and innovative spirit enabled her to achieve her goals, making her an “example of female emancipation and a role model for young women,” as President Phylactopoulos stated in his speech. At the event, memories of Ismene and CYA’s past were shared among faculty, staff, and alumni.