The Pan-Cretan Association of America (PAA) honored Dora Bakoyanni with the “Venizelio” award, which is considered to be of the highest honorary distinction. Bakoyanni declared “Greece will stand tall once again and will be stronger than before.” In a statement regarding Eleftherios Venizelos, she said, “he was a leader with vision, insight and realistic views.”
The award ceremony took place on December 8, in Queens, New York, celebrating the 100 year unification of Crete with Greece.
Moreover, the famous Greek American author Harry Mark Petrakis was honored with the “Kazantzakeio” award at the same event. He spoke proudly about his origin and Cretans born in America.
Among those in attendance, were the executive director of the Onassis Public Benefit Foundation in New York, Ambassador Luke Tsilas, state deputies and executives of PAA Union. The program event included recitations, traditional songs and Cretan dances.
Before the beginning of the event, a press conference was held to show the importance of celebrating the 100 years of union between Crete and Greece. In addition, the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Ambassador, Michael Spinellis was honored, as well as the consul General of Greece in New York, George Iliopoulos, the director of the Press and Communication Office of Greece, Nikos Papakonstantinou and executives of the Pan-Cretan Association of America.
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