In an atmosphere of emotion, nostalgia and joy, the first Lagadians reunion took place in Connecticut, USA on October 11, 12 and 13, 2024.

Dozens of Lagadinians, first to fourth generation, living in the USA participated in the reunion celebration organized by the Center for Hellenic Studies Paideia of the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs, Connecticut.
The gathering was open to both first-generation immigrants and their descendants, friends and relatives in order to mingle, exchange experiences and remember stories, and even meet for the first time.

The people of Lagkadin, who since the end of the 19th century left their homeland for hospitable US, carrying in their luggage their hopes for a better future, their hard work, their unparalleled morals, Greek patriotism, patriotism and the rich Greek culture participated in the multitude of events and actions that took place during the three days.

During the reunion a plethora of events took place, including: greetings and speeches from distinguished guests and speakers, exhibition with photographic material, dinner, commemorative photos, enabled the participants to communicate and share moments from the past and dreams for their future as compatriots.

Their common point of reference is their homeland, Lagadia, and their sincere interest in the future of their country.

On Saturday morning, a Divine Liturgy and  memorial service  was held for the  fallen  Lagadins at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Three Hierarchs of the University of Connecticut. The Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. George Kassapoglou addressed a greeting as the representative of the Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros.

The Mayor of Gortynia, Efstathios Koulis, was the honorary President of the first meeting. In his speech, he congratulated the organizers for the initiative and organization of the action, referred to the rich cultural heritage of the Lagadians and their multifaceted contribution to history, art, culture and Greek society, and stated that he was moved by the finding that the Lagadians of the diaspora with dignity and pride, they not only keep the traditions alive but also pass them on to the next generations.
He said characteristically: “Thank you for not leaving us alone in the desertification that has unfortunately occurred in the beautiful Lagadia. Thank you for taking the time to visit us when your schedule allows. You can’t imagine the joy you bring us. I hope that our love for Lagadia and our traditions will always unite us, regardless of place and time. Let’s keep our roots alive, let’s keep the connection and let’s continue to build our community, proud and united”, emphasized, among other things in his speech, the Mayor Mr. Koulis.

The deputy mayor of the Municipal Unit of Lagadia, Panagiota Betsa, referred to the valuable contribution of patriots from Lagadia for the realization of cultural and charitable projects in Lagadia, such as the construction of the Gymnasium of the High School of Lagadia in 1952-1953, the carrying out of work on the adjacent buildings of the school, the foundation of the Municipal Hotel of Lagadion, the church of Agia Paraskevi in ​​Lagadion in 1962, the church of the Grand Commanders and many others that left an indelible mark on the village. “I hope that this meeting will be the beginning of a fruitful period of co-shaping the Lagadians with the desire that you too become active members of our local society, eliminating distances and possible obstacles,” concluded Deputy Mayor Mrs. Betsa.

Lagadas in history, past and future, was the main topic of the speeches that followed by Dr. Aristoteli Michopoulos, professor emeritus of Classics and Greek studies at the Hellenic College and the School of Theology of the Holy Cross in Boston, Grigoris Kontos historian, founder of Greek Ancestry, Andreas Maniatis, Electrical Engineer / Computer & Informatics Engineer NTUA, PhD, member of Anthi tis Petra and Dimitris Tsalkanis, digital artist.

A special mention was given to Professor Yiannis Alexopoulos, landscape architect, originally from Lagadia, and to Professor Nikolaos Lambros from Lagadia, whose subject is the genealogical trees of the Gortynias, in his scientific journey and contribution to the Center for Greek Studies “Paideia”.

“Paideia” was created in 1977, as a non-profit educational organization recognized by the competent American authorities, and has introduced the teaching of the Greek language in American high schools in the state of Connecticut, while it has established centers of teaching Greek in other universities as well. A creation of “Paideia” is the magnificent Center for Greek Studies at the University of Connecticut, with spacious academic spaces, offices, classrooms, and meeting rooms, a library, a small museum, an impressive outdoor Greek theater in imitation of ancient Greek theaters, the “Sparti” Museum and a small Byzantine-style church dedicated to the memory of the Three Hierarchs, devotees of Greek Education, protectors of Greek Letters.

The founder and director of “Paideia”, responsible for the organization of the first Lagadini Commemoration, Professor Ilias Tomazos as well as Nikos Lambros carefully curated the event of memory, nostalgia, reconnection and reunification of the Lagadins and expressed the desire and intention for this first commemoration to take place the beginning of a collaboration between the Lagadians of the diaspora and the permanent residents with the ultimate goal of the development and sustainable development of the village, as well as the establishment of the Adamoma as an annual institution for the Lagadians and the friends of the Lagadians in Greece and abroad with the direct aim of next to be held in Lagadia Gortynias.

(source: Greek News USA)