 Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Irene Marinakis The executive board of the Hellenic Society cooridinates traditional Greek activities at BC.
| |
Few things are more enticing than the thought of sipping wine and eating flaky pastries at a tiny sidewalk café. Add an iridescent turquoise ocean, an array of picturesque buildings, and some Mediterranean flair, and the scene becomes even more alluring.
Many poor college students can only fantasize about vacationing in Greece, but they need not miss out on the cultural experience entirely. The Hellenic Society of Boston College works to bring the spice of Greece to Boston.
"The Hellenic Society is multi-faceted. We try to create a sense of community on campus for all students of Greek descent, but we also attempt to educate the rest of the student body about Greece as a modern nation with a modern population," says Chrissy Makkas, vice president of the club and A&S '06.
"We always encourage students of non-Greek descent to come to our events, hang out, and learn a little bit about what it means to be Greek - even if it's just enjoying our food," she adds.
Founded in 1982 by a small group of students wanting to promote Greek culture, history, food, and dancing, the Hellenic Society is an established club at BC.
It sponsors a variety of events on campus, including themed Greek nights at the dining halls and performances by its newly-formed dance troupe.
It also holds many smaller affairs for its members.
"Our main events are usually social gatherings or dinners, where we cook Greek food and listen to Greek music," says Alex Xenopoulos, club treasurer and A&S '06. "Those are the traditional bonds that most Greeks can relate to."
At the beginning of October the Hellenic Society held its first traditional dinner of the semester. The meal was comprised of heaping piles of Greek salad, spanakopita (a spinach pie), pastitsio (lasagna), tzatziki (a yogurt dip), fasolakia (a string bean dish), and, of course, some rich baklava for dessert.
The club also holds educational meetings in which members learn the Greek alphabet and other fun aspects of the culture. Every two to three weeks a newsletter is sent out to members updating them on current social and political issues in Greece.
The Greek presence at BC is a small but powerful one. The members of the Hellenic Society take great pride in their heritage, and enjoy reminiscing about their shared childhood experiences.
Spring Break
