Building Bridges of Cooperation in Greek - American relations
Discussion Series at the Athens Campus of the University of Indianapolis (UIndy Athens)

 The Athens Campus of the University of Indianapolis (UIndy Athens) presented at its Cultural Center in Plaka a two-day discussion series focusing on the "Bridges" of Greek- American relations and cooperation, The program was organized by the Institute for Regional Dialogue and Strategy (IPEDIS) and the UIndy Athens Students Affairs and International Relations Departments, with the support of the American -  Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the Propeller Club and active participation of students majoring in International Relations.  

Topics such as "Lasting friendship that transcends geopolitical experiences" and "From Marshall Plan to Today's socio-economic challenges" examined the various aspects of US-Greek socio-political and economic relations, and highlighted the existing situation in order to explore the new tendencies and exchange opinions around the multidimensional relations between Greece and United States. "We believe the time is right to study our past and derive fruitful lessons which will help us deal successfully with the challenges and prospects of the future," said Alexander Costopoulos, co-founder and Executive Director of IPEDIS. "We live in times of rapid and multi-dimensional change in which cooperation - in the form of sincere and collectively beneficial financial relations, as well as modern policies informed by courage and social responsibility - is utterly indispensable," Mr. Costopoulos explained.  

One key point was the Marshall Plan. "It would not be an exaggeration to say that the plan changed the course of European history" wrote H.E. Daniel V. Speckhard, US Ambassador to Greece in IPEDIS recent publication “Bridges of Co-operation". The students and  guests of the Bridges Series had the opportunity to discuss on this thought. Former US Consul General to Thessaloniki, Mr. Alec Mally, suggested that once we look to the present state of European integration through the European Union, and the strengthening bonds among its members it will be easy to appreciate the vision and commitment of the Marshall Plan, that contributed in taking the ashes of war and turning them into thriving and long-lasting success.                                                     

Discussing the birth of philhellenism in America, students and speakers noted that Greece was always recognized as the intellectual heart and soul of Europe, and that Greeks were among the ranks of the American revolutionary army of 1776.,. "When the Greek Revolution broke out in 1821, a wave of philhellenism spread throughout the US, filling the hearts of American citizens and more than vindicated the strong ties that already existed" said Elias Spirtounias, Director of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.  
                    

"The Philhellenic movement also manifested itself in lectures via the US Institutions of Higher Education, in articles and books, publications of university professors who were promoting Greek language, ancient and modern Greek education and culture. And the results were obvious in the US governmental structure and America's university museums and federal buildings with their classical architectural style, that declares in the best way the American intelligentsia's belief in promoting classicism and supporting the philhellenic movement," said  UIndy Athens Chancellor and University of Indianapolis Vice President Vasilis Botopoulos.

                

Piano Recital by Sevastian Salvaterra
a 19 years old internationally acclaimed pianist
and a UIndy Athens senior student
(Bachelor of Arts – Piano Performance)

 Athens’ music lovers filled the Cultural Center of the Athens Campus of the University of Indianapolis (UIndy Athens) on Saturday December 12 2009, to listen to Bach, Beethoven, Scarlatti, Ravel, Scriabin and Liszt as performed by Sevastian Salvaterra, a young piano prodigy that has been recognized by the international classical music scene and a senior student studying at UIndy Athens for his Bachelor of Arts in Music (Piano Performance). 

Sebastian Salvaterra, born in Paris in 1990, started piano lessons at the age of 4. He has participated in international music festivals in Greece, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, France, Turkey and Russia. In 2005, Sebastian won the 2nd prize for a piano solo and the 2nd prize for Chamber Music in an international music festival in Budapest. In 2006 he won the Paris Grand Prix for a solo piano at the International Robert Ganetti Music Festival Competition. For two consecutive years (2006 – 2007) he was invited to play at the Vladimir Spivakov Music Festival in Moscow at the Roerich Museum.

He has played under the direction of Maestro and Violinist Alexander Halapsis and conductor Robert Canetti with the Kazhakstan State Orchestra.

Sebastian Salvaterra has participated in numerous Master Classes with internationally renowned musicians, such as Igor Laszko, Julian Gallant, Evgeny Kolmanovitch, Ivo Pogorelich and Nikolai Petrov. He is also a scholarship recipient of the Vladimir Spivakov Music Foundation, the Robert Ganetti Music Foundation and the AHEPA Foundation.

  
Sebastian Salvaterra between the Director of UIndy Athens Music Department Dr. Alexandros Halapsis, his Piano Professor
Alla Halapsis and the Chancellor of UIndy Athens and Vice President of the University of Indianapolis (USA) Vasilis Botopoulos