Olympic Games 1896: The Photographic Album of Albert Meyer
December 7, 2016, at The Consulate General of Greece

The Benaki Museum of Greece made available to the members of the Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation a preview of its exhibition “Olympic Games 1896”. Albert Meyer, one of the best-known German art photographers, accompanied his country’s delegation to Athens to photograph the first modern Olympic Games. His purpose was to document the event and put together a commemorative album intended for the German Royal Court and the International Olympic Committee. 

The photographic archive was destroyed in 1945 when bombardments flattened Dresden, turning the original photographs into rare and priceless artifacts. Marinos Yeroulanos, president of the Board of Trustees of the Benaki Museum for many years and grandson of George Streit, a member of the 1896 International Olympic Committee, donated the album to the Historical Archives of the Museum. Since then, this unique Album is safeguarded with care as imposed by rarity, being a unique token to both history and art. 

Screening of “Techniques of the Body”
November 3, 2016, at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

The Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation co-sponsored with the Carnegie Council “Techniques of the Body” – a film made from the stories of historian Mark Mazower (Professor of History at Columbia University) and from the artistic perspective of filmmaker Constantine Giannaris. The film explored the memory of war, exile, and massive population movements and asked how we might respond to their impact in the present. Both Mr. Mazower, a member of HACF’s Advisory Council, and Mr. Giannaris commented on aspects of the film.

Tenth Annual New York City Greek Film Festival
September 29 – October 19, 2016, at various locations

Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven
March 2, 2016, at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Barbara Drake Boehm and Melanie Holcomb previewed “Jerusalem 1000-1400: Every People Under Heaven,” an international exhibition opening at The Metropolitan Museum of Art this Fall, for which they are co-curators.

In words and images, they brought the city of Jerusalem to life – giving voice to the accounts of medieval visitors and introduced some of the great works of art that will travel to New York from more than 60 institutions worldwide for the exhibition. Special focus was given to works of art testifying to the role of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate as protector of Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. A reception followed the presentation.