28 Mar Venizelos Foundation USA hosted an exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary “Venizelos: The Struggle for Asia Minor” at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
In a highly successful event, the Venizelos Foundation USA, in collaboration with Georgetown University’s Modern Greek Studies Program, the Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter of the Pancretan Association of America, and Georgetown’s Hellenic Association, hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary Venizelos: The Struggle for Asia Minor on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The event was held under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece. Her Excellency, Ambassador Aikaterini Nassika, shared a personal connection to history, revealing that her grandfather had the honor of hosting Eleftherios Venizelos overnight at his home during the Balkan War campaign. Professor Ismini Lamb, Director of Modern Greek Studies at Georgetown—the longest continuously operating Greek Studies program in North America—welcomed the audience. In her opening remarks, the President of the Pancretan Association of America, Mrs. Diane Kounalakis, stated: “It is truly an honor to represent all the members of the PAA, who stand proud of the outstanding leadership of our Cretan statesman, Eleftherios Venizelos. His legacy is a true testament to leadership and diplomacy that has stood the test of time.” The President of the Venizelos Foundation USA and the President of the World Council of Cretans, Mr. Nickos Kastrinakis, had the privilege of honoring Mr. George Marafatsos for his outstanding support in the restoration of the historic statue of Eleftherios Venizelos at the Embassy of Greece last July. He stated: “It is remarkable to be here at Georgetown University, an institution that has trained extraordinary politicians over the years, to speak about a remarkable leader and statesman, Eleftherios Venizelos.” Professor Christopher Lamb, co-author (with Professor Ismini Lamb) of The Gentle American: George Horton’s Odyssey and His True Account of the Smyrna Catastrophe, shared insights from his decade-long research on George Horton, the U.S. Consul in Smyrna during its tragic destruction. His remarks provided valuable historical perspectives, further contextualizing the documentary’s themes. Following the screening, the audience enthusiastically participated in a discussion, posing questions about both the historical events depicted and the mission of the Venizelos
Foundation. Professor Christopher Lamb and Mr. Nickos Kastrinakis offered in-depth responses. The event was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including His Excellency, the Ambassador of Cyprus, Mr. Savvas Evangelou, and The Honorable Consul General of Greece, Mr. Mihalis Skopelitis. Representing the Hellenic Defense Delegation to the U.S. were: Honorable Colonel Odysseas Papaevangelou, Defense Attaché, Honorable Captain Nikolaos Lazakis, Naval Attaché, Honorable Colonel Ioannis Markakis, Air Attaché Honorable Lt. Colonel Evangelos Zacharis, Army Attaché. Among the many esteemed attendees from academia and the greater Washington, D.C., community were Mr. Andy Manatos, Mr. Nick Larigakis from the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), and Ms. Theodora Petrakis from the local Pancretan Association of America Chapter. Special thanks were also extended to Ms. Maria Plevrakis and Mr. Manos Coutoulakis from the chapter for their invaluable support in organizing the event. The evening concluded with a reception, graciously hosted by Georgetown University’s Modern Greek Studies Program, allowing attendees to continue their discussions and reflections on this pivotal moment in history. Georgetown University has long been a powerhouse in American and global politics, producing influential leaders and serving as a hub for political discourse. Members of the Georgetown community maintain a strong presence in Congress and the White House, ranking No. 1 for the number of chiefs of staff serving in Congress and No. 2 as a top producer of congressional members and staffers. Notably, former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Lyndon B. Johnson, along with distinguished figures such as Madeleine Albright and Henry Kissinger, are among those connected to the university. With its prime location in Washington, D.C., Georgetown maintains strong ties to the U.S. government, international organizations, and think tanks, reinforcing its role as a breeding ground for future policymakers, diplomats, and world leaders. The film is a production of the National Research Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” and is based on the book Eleftherios Venizelos: The Man, The Leader by the Foundation’s Director, Mr. Nikos Papadakis-Papadis. With English subtitles, the documentary—directed by Nikos Dayandas—brings to life the extraordinary journey of Eleftherios Venizelos, one of modern Greece’s greatest statesmen. Through dramatized scenes, rare archival footage, and expert interviews, the film vividly portrays his leadership during the defining decade of the Balkan Wars, World War I, and the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.
