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Presented by The American Jewish Committee Los Angeles, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, and USC Center on Public Diplomacy with the American Hellenic Council of California and The Hellenic American Leadership Council

Despite striking historical similarities among their peoples, Israel, Cyprus and Greece experienced mostly unfriendly relations for almost 60 years. This situation was radically altered during the past decade with the emergence of ever-widening cooperation among the three states.

This lecture by Dr. Aristotle Tziampiris, University of Piraeus (Greece) Professor of International Relations, will discuss how and why Greece, Cyprus, and Israel decided to get so close, what issues and areas have been part of the improved relations and delineate the future prospects for what amounts to a positive development contributing to stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Dr. Aristotle Tziampiris is Professor of International Relations, Chair of the Department of International and European Studies and Director of the MSc Program in Energy: Strategy, Law & Economics at the University of Piraeus. He is also Standing Fellow at New York University’s Remarque Institute, member of the Executive Academic Board of the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), Academic Advisor to the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), Founding member of the Israeli-Hellenic Forum, Academic Coordinator for the Erasmus+ “Eastern Mediterranean Regional Training Partnership” Program and Examiner for the course International Relations and Politics for the entrance examinations of the Hellenic Diplomatic Academy.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Time:
4:00pm | Reception
4:30pm | Lecture & Discussion

Location: Skirball Cultural Center, Magnin Auditorium

For more information and to RSVP, please click here.

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Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Co-Chair of the Hellenic Caucus and the Congressional Hellenic – Israel Alliance, visiting California the first weekend of February and met with members of the American Hellenic Council. On Saturday, February 1st, the Congressman met with the AHC Board of Directors and discussed at length the importance of the passing of the Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Security Partnership Act and US commitment to Greek and Cypriot sovereignty.

“Congress is making every effort to help Greece,” he stated, “Turkey has been an unreliable and bad actor.”

Congressman Bilirakis also underlined that the Eastern Mediterranean and Greece, in particular, are issues with bi-partisan support that unite Congress, acknowledging Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s instrumental assistance; both side of the aisle wanted to see the President sign this bill.

Finally, Congressman Bilirakis recalled his meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and expressed his confidence in the Prime Minister’s national defense strategy and US – Greece relations.

Read about the Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Security Partnership Act.

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One of the American Hellenic Council’s first board members, Mr. Gilbert J. Kyprianou, passed away in December. The AHC family grieves his loss and celebrates his many contributions to Hellenism.

Gilbert was very active in the Greek American community. He was a founding board member of the original Save Cyprus Council, now the American Hellenic Council (AHC). He was Cyprian League president as well as Hellenic University Club president and board member. He was a long time secretary/treasurer of the Las Vegas AHEPA Chapter #314, having joined AHEPA on October 11, 1994. He attended AHEPA District Conventions and participated in committees like senior housing.

AHC Chairman & President, Dr. James F. Dimitriou stated,

My sincerest sympathies to Gil’S wife, Alexis & family! I had the honor to know Gil for some 44 years! We originally met on the picket line in front of the Turkish Consulate. He will be remembered as a pillar of Hellenism and champion of the destiny of Greece & Cyprus! He was always true to his beliefs and sense of doing the right thing! As an original member of the Save Cyprus Council, he always stood strong for the people of Cyprus. I am proud to have had Gil as my friend and compatriot. Zoi se mas.

Honorary Consul General of Cyprus and founding member of the Save Cyprus Council, Mr. Andreas Kyprianides, added,

I am deeply saddened by the death of Gilbert (Gil) Kyprianou, my close friend for almost fifty years. I got to know him in Los Angeles during the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in the summer of 1974. At that time, the Greek American community in Southern California and throughout the United States, mobilized against  the illegal  aggression. In support of that small island republic, which was brutally invaded and partly occupied by Turkey in violation of American and international law.
A group of concerned American citizens in Los Angeles founded the Save Cyprus Council of Southern California. Gil and I, were among the founders of the council and both of us served together on its board of directors for several years. Later we worked together for many years on the board of directors of the Hellenic University Club, where, at different times, we both served as presidents of the club. In his later years he moved to Las Vegas, where he lived with his loving wife Alexis until his death. In Las Vegas Gilwas one of the leaders of AHEPA and a strong supporter of our Church.
My long association with Gil and our many years of working closely on community affairs and all Hellenic issues, with emphasis on the Just Cause of Cyprus, gave me the opportunity to know him well. He was gifted with rare human qualities. He was widely known for his high moral character, his integrity, honesty and kindness, and was liked by everyone who knew him.
He served the Greek American community and all Hellenic causes with dedication, commitment and altruism. He had a special love for Cyprus, birthplace of his parents and he was a strong advocate and steadfast supporter of a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem. While he lived in Las Vegas, he used to call me almost every week with a standard first question. “What is new from Cyprus?”
My wife, Mika, and I considered Gil part of our family and our daughter, Alexia, called him “uncle Gil.” We are all going to miss him. He was a virtuous and honorable man. May he rest in peace, may his memory be eternal.

Read full obituary here.

First visit ever to Los Angeles of the Ambassador of Cyprus in Washington DC, organized by the Save Cyprus Council in 1975, From right to left: Gilbert Kyprianou, Andreas Kyprianides, who later became Honorary Consul General of Cyprus for California. Andros Nicolaides (From Cyprus Embassy), Ambassador Nicos Demetriou, Professor Theodore Saloutos and Hon. Consul General of Cyprus from San Francisco, Dr. Anastasios Simonides.

 

Board of Directors of the Save Cyprus Council for 1975-76. Gil Kyprianou, back row, third from the right.

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Special event hosting Benny Morris, co-author of “The Thirty-Year Genocide: Turkey’s Destruction of its Christian Minorities”

The American Hellenic Council, The Philos Project, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region and the Assyrian American Association of Southern California, co-hosted an evening discussion with historian Benny Morris.

Robert Nicholson of The Philos Project asked Morris about his recent book, The Thirty-Year Genocide: Turkey’s Destruction of its Christian Minorities and the implications moving forward.

American Hellenic Council Chairman and President, Dr. James F. Dimitriou, stated,

Author Benny Morris’s presentation was a powerful, meticulous and enlightening discussion of the hidden genocide of Turkey’s Christian minorities between 1894 & 1924. Never before has an author presented this as a “Christian Genocide” of Armenians, Greeks & Assyrian communities. Historically accurate & factually presented, the book and Benny Morris’s presentation chronicles the organized destruction of all three communities from Ottoman Sultans to modern Turkey.

Furthermore, this historic event highlights our new coalition with the determination to work together to counter continued Turkish propaganda that denies the destruction of all three Christian Communities. Together we finally will proclaim the truth!  Together we will challenge the dangerous Turkish positions. Together we will work through a new coalition of truth & justice.

Let us finally declare the truth of the memory of our ancestors who suffered and died without recognition or tribute.

Watch Chairman Dimitriou’s greeting:

The event was hosted at Los Angeles City Hall and we were joined by Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, Ambassador Nina Hachigian.

 

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AHC Meet & Greet with Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)

The American Hellenic Council of California is hosting a Meet & Greet with Congressman Chris Pappas on Sunday, December 8th at 6 PM at AHC’s offices in Culver City.

Congressman Pappas, currently serving his first term, is one of the five Greek Americans currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, who in addition to his Hellenic ties and strong support for the US-Israel relationship, is also on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

Pappas also introduced the Resolution Honoring Oxi Day: House Resolution 644, designating October 28 as Oxi Day to honor the
refusal of Greek Prime Minister Metaxas to surrender to the invading Axis powers by declaring “Oxi!” (“No,” in English) on October 28, 1940.

A lifelong resident of Manchester, New Hampshire, Congressman Chris Pappas is a local business owner and public servant who has a longstanding record of working to put people before politics. During his time in elected office, Chris also served as an Executive Councilor, State Representative, and County Treasurer. As the fourth generation owner of a family business that opened in 1917, Chris understands the need to focus on constituent services and delivering results for New Hampshire’s working families and Main Street businesses.

As a member of the state’s Executive Council, Chris worked with governors of both parties to implement Medicaid expansion, expand treatment and recovery services, approve funding for family planning providers, and support renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

For more information, click here.

DATE: Sunday, December 8
TIME: 6 – 7:30 PM
LOCATION:
3916 Sepulveda Blvd, #101
Culver City, CA 90230
*Parking available in the rear of the building

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#bOObs for Life is a compilation of visually portrayed stories about physical trauma, personal struggle, survival, and the celebration of life. The exhibition is the fruit of the collaborative work of photographer Sylvia Kouveli and artist Ted Meyer, presented with the support with the American Cancer Society.

In order to truly know our own body, love and accept it, we must first realize that there is no generic “normal”. There are no two boobs alike and there are female chests with saggy, perky, “cross-eyed” breasts, one breast or no breasts and all that is OK.

— Sylvia Kouveli

Read interview

 

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AHC meets with Governor of Region of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas

The American Hellenic Council of California welcomed the Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas accompanied by a delegation that included the Executive Secretary of the Region, Mr. Nikolaos Ioannou, the President of the Thessaloniki International Fair, Mr. Anastasios Tzikas and Advisor to the Governor, Mr. Kostas Befas. Participating from the AHC were Vice President of the Board, Eleftheria Polychronis, former President Dr. Menas Kafatos, Treasurer Alex Mizan, Board Members Theodore Polychronis and Zoi Palla and Executive Director, Christianna Kontou.

Following their visit to Silicon Valley and San Francisco, the Governor visited Los Angeles siting the importance of forging a closer relationship between the Region of Central Macedonia and Los Angeles, with an emphasis on the film industry, investment and export of certified Macedonian products. Governor Tzitzikostas also underscored his personal and the Greek government’s commitment for Greeks abroad to be able to vote.

Mr. Tzikas added the addition of an ICT Fair following 2020’s Thessaloniki International Fair, which will focus on tech, where there is a high expectation of Californian presence.

“The Region of Central Macedonia has now surpassed all Greek regions in exports of Greek products and tourism, we are the only region in Greece with a Film Office, located in Thessaloniki, and we are also the only region with studios,” stated Governor Tzitzikostas. “The time for investment is now. The potential collaborations between Central Macedonia and Los Angeles-based business are endless,” he added. “The diaspora is vital to Greece and the new government wants to focus on that and facilitate the involvement of Greek aboard,” he closed.

“Alongside advocating to Congress, cultivating stronger, more direct ties between California and Greece is one of the American Hellenic Council’s focal points,” commented Executive Director, Christianna Kontou. She added, “Greece is the gateway to Europe, Central Macedonia is a major tech hub in the Balkans, American entrepreneurism is key to growth, which means that collaboration will benefit both Greece and the United States on many levels.”

The meeting ended with Governor Tzitzikostas presenting the American Hellenic Council with a rare book of maps of Alexander the Great and Mr. Tzikas presenting a book of the eighty-year history of the Thessaloniki International Fair.

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AHC and ANCA-WR Board Members gather for the signing of an MoU on September 30, 2019 CENTER: AHC President James F. Dimitriou, Ph.D. and ANCA Western Region Chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq.

The American Hellenic Council of California and the Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation during a special ceremony on Monday, September 30, 2019, signaling a new chapter of even deeper and more institutionalized relations between the two organizations.

The ceremony took place at the ANCA-WR headquarters in Glendale, with ANCA Western Region Chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq. and AHC President James F. Dimitriou, Ph.D. signing the document that went into effect immediately. The Memorandum recognizes the historic relations between the Armenian and Hellenic communities, accentuates the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding, and commits both communities to ensure comprehensive cooperation.

“We look forward to the great opportunity for the AHC to work with ANCA in a common commitment for justice and respect for the rule of law,” said Dr. Jim Dimitriou, AHC Chairman. “Turkey must not be allowed to continue to violate international treaties and law. The Greek and Armenian people share a long and turbulent history and now share a common purpose. We must stand united against a Turkish rogue regime that violates human rights, internationally recognized territorial borders while promulgating continual threats and violations against its neighbors.” He added, “Our time is now! The opportunity is great. The value is justice, and in the words of Plato, ‘Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.’”

“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation elevates our relationship with the AHC to a deeper institutional level,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Our nations have lived side by side for millennia, and we’re codifying both traditional as well as novel areas for our extensive collaboration, taking our advocacy work to new heights.”

Following this memorandum, both AHC and ANCA-WR have agreed to continue in collaboration to undertake joint advocacy measures and public education initiatives promoting human rights, peace, and the rule of the law, and continue their commitment in seeking justice for the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide.

In recent years, both groups have worked tirelessly to fight for truth and justice for the Genocide of 1915 and have garnered the support of elected officials from all throughout the western U.S. Moving forward, the parties will also undertake joint activities and initiatives aimed at genocide education; divestment from Turkish government bonds, just and enduring reunification of Cyprus; stopping Turkish violations of Greece’s sovereign air and water; justice for the cultural and civilizational destruction in Nakhijevan by Azerbaijani authorities; international recognition of Artsakh; and a number of other priorities. The close collaboration between AHC and ANCA-WR stretches back many years, as both organizations have already worked on a number of joint projects, most notably on seeking truth and justice for the Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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Dr James & Virginia Kallins

Dr. James and Virginia Kallins

Longtime stewards and servants of the Greek Community and Hellenism, Doctor James and Virginia Kallins have never forgotten their roots and an appreciation of blessings.

Doctor Kallins was the youngest of five children. He grew up on a small farm in the mountains of Arcadia in Greece, surviving multiple occupations during World War II. Seeing his village’s doctor caring for so many ill and injured inspired Doctor Kallins to study medicine at the University of Athens.

Hoping to become a surgeon, James then sailed to the USA and settled in Chicago, training in OB/GYN, surgery, and pathology at the University of Illinois School of Medicine, where he also served as an associate professor.

At a Greek Orthodox Church party, Dr. Kallins met his beloved wife, Virginia, nee Evgenia Lambropoulou, whom he married in 1957. Growing up in Chicago during the Great Depression, Virginia had lost her father and her older brother. Her mother spoke only Greek and supported herself and Virginia by knocking on doors, holding up a needle and thread to let people know she could sew. Fortunately, Virginia’s mother met and married Nicholas Mannos, loving stepfather to Virginia. Virginia’s mother encouraged her education, spurring her to become a Master Teacher mentoring others.

Dr. Kallins and his wife moved to California in 1959 where he launched his own medical practice. James encouraged his family to preserve their Greek culture, and honor charitable organizations in both the United States and Greece, which he fondly calls his “two countries and two mothers.” James and Virginia became the parents of three children (Barbara, George, and Nicholas) and now have five grandchildren (Anastasia, Evgenia, Dimitri, Nicholas and Eston).

Doctor Kallins retired from medicine in 1997, and continued the couple’s charitable initiatives, including serving as stewards for St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, Assumption in Long Beach, and as co-founders of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, named after Dr. Kallins’ father George Kallinteris.

Doctor Kallins was a member of the Cathedral’s Parish Council and a founder of the Hellenic Medical and Dental Society. He also founded the Alpha Beta Society – the Greek School – in Downey, and supported the Hellenic Library in Bellflower, California. Virginia worked closely with parents at St. Sophia Cathedral to reenergize the Greek Orthodox Youth of America.

When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, Dr. Kallins joined the Save Cyprus Council, flying to DC to advocate for safety and justice for Hellenes in Cyprus and Greece.

The tragic and untimely passing of the couple’s son, Nicholas, was a time of great sadness. However, James and Virginia used that difficult time as an opportunity to honor Nicholas’ life by establishing the Greek Orthodox Memorial and Cultural Foundation of Southern California, and the Saint Nicholas Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

The philanthropy of James and Virginia Kallins extended to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, the Archdiocese, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. As an Archon Exarchos in the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Doctor Kallins served as the Regional Archon Commander. He has been a member of the Metropolis and Archdiocesan Councils and served with the Pan Arcadian Federation on a local and national level. He was elected as Supreme President of the Pan-Arcadian Federation, helping to raise funds for a hospital in Tripoli, Greece. The couple was honored with the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award at the FDF Festival in 2013.

The American Hellenic Council takes great pleasure in honoring Doctor James and Virginia Kallins with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. Doctor James Kallins and Virginia Kallins, thank you for your unwavering love and support of humanity and Hellenism, and for the promotion and preservation of our Greek culture and community in America.

Arianna Papalexopoulos

Yes, Hello, Hi! Arianna Papalexopoulos is a Greek-American actor, writer, producer, and comic based in Los Angeles, California. Both Arianna's undergraduate theatre degree from UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and masters degree in Digital Media from USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism have synergized to expand her lifelong comedy skills into rewarding content.

Arianna has produced and starred in numerous short films that have premiered at various festivals around the globe. Her latest short films, Como, Ti Amo and Greek Enough display the tradition of excellence in filmmaking. Building on this success, she produced and acted in her first feature film, Jaunt, which took home the Audience Award at the 2024 Los Angeles Greek Film Festival.

Arianna is currently fresh off a Canadian, Midwest, and Florida stand up comedy tour where she opened for fellow Greek comic, Angelo Tsarouchas. In addition, she performed her comedy set and hosted the 18th Annual Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Orpheus Awards. Arianna recently received the Greek America's Forty Under 40 award in New York City and was also selected as a “Modern Muse” speaker at the

Hellenic American Women's Council in Los Angeles, which celebrated Contemporary Hellenic American Women in the Arts.

Arianna's popular digital content celebrates both her roots and the experiences of American immigrants and their first-generation children. Arianna’s most notable character, Greek Mom, has garnered her almost 1 million followers collectively across all her social media platforms and continues to generate dozens of millions of views.

Apart from performing, you can find Arianna on the islands or mountains of Greece, cheering on the Golden State Warriors, or getting lost off the 101 Freeway.

Instagram & TikTok: @ariannapapalexopoulos

Hon. Ambassador of USA in Greece, George Tsunis

Hon. Ambassador of USA in Greece, George Tsunis

Mr. George J. Tsunis was the United States Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic for 3 years. During is successful term, Greek officials/partners speedily approved American requests critical for U.S. and NATO operations in Greece. With the signing of a $3.54 billion agreement for 20 American F-35 fighters, Greece was able to modernize its military. Following multiple collaborations with governments in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Greece became a leader promoting energy connectivity and resiliency in the EU. Mr. Tusnis efforts promoted the Greek Prime Minister’s almost two-year political rappochement with Turkey, enhancing peace and stability in the region. Mr. Tsunis was awarded the Order of Phoenix by the Foreign Minister to The Hellenic Republic, George Gerapetritis during his three-year tenure as Ambassador.

Mr. Tsunis is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell Hotels as well as an attorney, developer, philanthropist and public policy advisor with a strong interest at the intersection of economic and foreign affairs. Chartwell Hotels owns and manages Hilton, Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group franchises across the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states. The firm also focuses community renewal, supporting tourism, business travel and investment dollars.

Mr. Tsunis’ public service includes time as a Legislative Attorney at the New York City Council, Special Counsel to the Town of Huntington (NY) Environmental Open Space Committee and Counsel to the Dix Hills (NY) Water District. He was appointed by Senator Alfonse D’Amato and served as an advisor to the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. Tsunis served in the cabinet of the Governor of the State of New York and served on the Board of Directors of four New York State Public Benefit Cooperations.

Mr. Tsunis was a director of the New York Convention Center’s (Jacob Javits Center) Operating Committee and Director of the New York Convention Center’s Development Committee. Mr. Tsunis’ tenure as director came at a seminal time – during a 1.5 million sq. ft. expansion – transforming Javits into one of the world’s most modern and beautiful convention centers.

In 2021, His Eminence Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, appointed Mr. Tsunis as the Vice-Chairman of the national coordinating committee for the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution of 1821, organizing nationwide festivities and commemorative events to be held throughout the year to honor the revolution’s bicentennial. Mr. Tsunis was a founding trustee of the Hellenic Initiative, a global movement of the Greek diaspora, investing in the future of Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization. The Hellenic Initiative empowers people to provide crisis relief, encourage entrepreneurs and create jobs. Mr. Tsunis was also a founding member of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, a national civic advocacy organization, and until recently served as the organization’s National Vice Chairman. HALC comprises a national network of Greek American community leaders to encourage an active form of citizenship committed to the Hellenic American ideals of democracy, rule of law, and philanthropy. Mr. Tsunis has also served on the Board of Directors of the Coordinated Efforts of Hellenes (CEH), a national umbrella organization for the major Greek-American advocacy organizations.

Mr. Tsunis was recognized by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios with the Saint Paul’s Medal, the Greek Orthodox Church of America’s highest recognition for a layperson. Mr. Tsunis is a member of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest ecclesiastical honor that can be bestowed upon a layman by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Mr. Tsunis was the recipient of the Cyprus Federation’s Justice for Cyprus Award, which was personally awarded to him by the President of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, in 2010. In 2012, President Christofias presented Mr. Tsunis with a plaque of sterling silver olive branches, signifying peace. This award is traditionally reserved for heads of state. In 2013, the new President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, similarly honored Mr. Tsunis for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of the children of Cyprus.

In 2017, Mr. Tsunis was the recipient of the Athens-Wishner Award jointly presented by the American Jewish Committee (“AJC”) and Hellenic American Leadership Council (“HALC”) for his dedication to Greco-Israeli-Cypriot relations.

Mr. Tsunis received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Tsunis established the James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Distinguished Academic Scholarship at Hofstra University, the George J. Tsunis Scholarship at the Maurice Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, the James George Tsunis Memorial Scholarship at Pennsylvania College of Technology and the George James Tsunis ’92 and the Karloutsos Scholarships at St. John’s University’s School of Law and created the James and Eleni Tsunis Endowed Scholarship at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Mr. Tsunis also underwrote the James and Eleni Tsunis Library at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons in honor of his parents. In 2019, the Hellenic Lawyers Association of New York named Mr. Tsunis as its honoree for his dedication to professional development in the Hellenic community.

Mr. Tsunis and his wife, Olga live in Matinecock, NY, with their three children. It is a great honor for the American Hellenic Council to welcome Ambassador Tsunis to Los Angeles and our Annual Gala and award him the AHC Aristeion Award.

Christos Vassilopoulos

Christos Vasilopoulos was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He started acting at the age of 17 as a stage actor and graduated from the "Iasmos" Athens Drama School. Christos was one of the few young actors who worked professionally during his drama school years.
Two years after his graduation, he became a member of the National Theatre of Greece, where he performed for four years. After seven years of continuous work in theatre and TV commercials, Christos landed a series of regular roles on one of the biggest daily shows of that time, taking his career to the next level.

During the first 14 years of his career, having worked on major TV shows and collaborated with some of the most renowned theatre directors in Greece, he decided to transition to the United States. His credits in the U.S. include films, campaigns, commercials, recurring roles on the hit shows Banshee (created by Alan Ball) and The Last Ship, as well as guest-star roles on The Closer, Blindspot, Whiskey Cavalier, Warrior, and Kabul.

Christos holds a 3rd dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He served in the Greek Special Forces as a marine and attained the rank of sergeant. He rarely uses a stunt double.

Alongside his fellow actor and friend Yorgos Karamichos, Christos translated Ivana Chubbuck’s The Power of the Actor into Greek—one of the most influential books on modern acting techniques. He is also the only Greek-certified acting coach trained by Ivana Chubbuck.

For the past five years, Christos has been working as a creative producer on films and TV shows.