The Readers of Homer, literary organization, returned in New York for a unique all-night event, held at the 92nd Street Y., presenting, in their very own way, the Greek cultural heritage.

After a year of successful activities in all four corners of the world, last Saturday, from 7pm until 7 am on Sunday morning, in the splendor of Kaufmann Concert Hall, 200 readers in total, nourished by warm wine and “Homeric flavors”, gathered to present their own excerpts from the “Odyssey” in English, Greek, Italian, Ancient Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Jewish and Russian, while Stanley Lombardo’s English translation was projected on a giant video wall.

The marathon reading event was opened with a performance held by the famous Ancient Greek Music ensemble “LyrAvlos”, conducted by Panagiotis Stefos, which earned the praise and attention of the audience, through their melodies performed by reconstructed instruments from the period of Ulysses and enriched the marathon reading with musical interludes performed at the end of each rhapsody.

Furthermore, the Choreo Theatro modern dance group, under the direction of choreographer Irina Konstantinou Pavlou, gave an extraordinary performance set to original music by the Slovenian group “Silence”.

The proceeds from the event, directed by the Greek actor/producer Giannis Simonidis, under the supervision of Stefania Xidia, will be allocated to international “Readers of Homer” projects. The purpose of the organization is the revival of public reading, the recognition of the ongoing directness of homer, paying tribute to his international translators, offering a multilevel audio-visual experience to the audience, and lastly the education and socialization of its participants.

Under the direction of its founder, Kathryn Hohlwein and Mr. Simonidis, and through the contribution of its multi-talented associates, the “Readers of Homer” association, earned the praise from thousands of participants from the US, Egypt, Uruguay, Greece, Italy and Turkey, and seek financial support so as to cope with the increasing number of invitations, on an international level.

The “Odyssey” presented at 92nd Street was held under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Consulate General of Greece in New York, the Library of Alexandria, Universities “Bard” and “Fordham”, the International Greek Theatre, the “Andres Mata” Institution, etc.

The event was extensively promoted in popular newspapers, such as the “New York Times” and “Daily News”, as well as “New Yorker”, “Time – Out” and “New York” magazines, which enthusiastically welcomed this unique initiative.

Source: ANA - MPA