The Johns Hopkins University Hellenic Students Association co-hosted a private reception at the Walters Art Museum, in Baltimore MD, where the famous Archimedes Palimpsest Exhibition is on display. Curator William Noel delivered a speech and offered a guided tour through the exhibition.
The seventy guests that attended were ranging from elected officials and business leaders to regular citizens and college students. There were also people flying from New York, Chicago, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. in order to be in this intimate gathering. Aris Melissaratos (Former Maryland Secretary of Business & Economic Development, Former Vice President of the Westinghouse Corporation), Congressman John P. Sarbanes, Nicholas H. Tsakalos (Co-owner of H&S Bakery, Northeast Foods Inc. and Harbor East Development), Gregory C. Pappas (Founder and President of the Greek America Foundation), Chrys P. Kefalas (Former Dep. Legal Counsel to the Governor of Maryland), Jason Filippou (Executive Director of the Greektown CDC, Former Liaison of Business Advocacy at the Maryland DBED), Michael S. Kosmas (Leading Hospitality Attorney) and Andreas Akaras (Advisor to Rep. Sarbanes) were some of the attendees.
All guests were able to see the original Palimpsest, which is a ‘book’ written by the Ancient Greek genius. The Walters Art Museum had also done an amazing job showcasing the high technology methods and procedures that its specialists used in order to uncover the original Archimedes manuscripts. The exhibition also included many activities for both children and adults.
“The Archimedes Exhibition was a fantastic example of modern science making it possible for scholars to discover such classic writings from several thousand years ago. The ability to look at the real writings of someone as important as Archimedes is a tribute to human inquisitiveness,” said Aris Melissaratos.
Congressman John P. Sarbanes pointed out that ‘‘Archimedes' contributions to mathematics, physics, engineering, astronomy, invention and innovation have helped shape the course of human history. To study the great accomplishments of extraordinary thinkers such as Archimedes inspires all of us to reach beyond the impossible. The exhibition of the Archimedes Palimpsest at the Walter's Art Museum celebrates the great influences of Classical Greece in art, science and philosophy and reminds us all to be cognizant of historic and scientific truths. George Petrocheilos and the Hellenic Students Association of the Johns Hopkins University deserve recognition for their enthusiastic promotion and support of this outstanding exhibition.”
‘‘I flew from Chicago to see this wonderful exhibition that brings the "real Greece" to the forefront of American society and allows people to see the amazing contributions of the Greeks to the world,’’ said Gregory C. Pappas of the Greek America Foundation.
George Petrocheilos, the President of the Johns Hopkins Hellenic Students Association, planned and organized the event along with Mrs. Anna Z. Pappas, a longtime patron of the Walters, and Mrs. Andrea Vespoint, the museum’s Director of Community Outreach through Education.
