WASHINGTON, DC – The Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage (SPGH) presents In Search of a Modern Greek Identity: Geopolitical Dimensions, a discussion with Professor Kostas Lavdas, online on Saturday, October 2, 12-1:30 PM ET.

Register for the free event on Eventbrite, search: SPGH Series "In Search of a Modern Greek Identity": Geopolitical Dimensions.

After the success of their spring event exploring lessons from history in modern Greek identity, SPGH announced the second event of their 1821-2021 series exploring the so-called “geopolitical” dimensions of modern Greek identity.

Although geopolitical issues, in the broader sense, are relevant to the entire Greek diaspora, they are nowhere as important as in mainland Greece, whose very existence has depended, and continues to depend, on bloody struggles for survival and territorial integrity in an increasingly aggressive geographical environment. Remarkably, many of Greece’s neighbors that were historically opposed to the creation of modern Greece, especially Turkey, define their own identity based on their perpetual hostilities with the Greeks, dating back to the 12th century.

But an identity is not only forged by struggle, it is also affected by one’s chosen community: Greek integration within larger organizations, especially the European Union, poses its own challenges and raises very important questions about modern Greece.

Joining the exploration of this crucial topic is Dr. Kostas A. Lavdas, Professor of European and Comparative Politics and Director of the Graduate Program in International Relations and Strategic Studies at Panteion University in Athens. Dr. Lavdas has had distinguished careers in both the UK and the United States and his work on European politics, comparative foreign policy, transatlantic relations, and applied political theory has been published extensively in several languages. He has also been very active in the current public geopolitical debates in Greece focused on Turkey and related issues.

More information is available online: https://www.spghworld.org.