The Cultural Association of the greater Washington area, “Prometheus,” dedicated the afternoon of Saturday (14/3) to Eleni Glykatzi-Ahrweiler. It was an online event, held at the Hellenic Center, featuring as speaker the distinguished Byzantinist and Professor of History and Archaeology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sophia Mergiali-Sahha (photo), with the topic: “A Greek heart beating across the world – The truth through her own words.”

Dr. Mergiali, who completed her postgraduate studies and PhD at the Sorbonne under the supervision of Eleni Ahrweiler, referred to her personal experience with her late professor. She spoke about Ahrweiler through her role as a teacher and, above all, through her own words, which “function as a bridge of knowledge, culture, and inspiration.”

This was followed by an extensive discussion with interesting questions, ranging from what the defining difference is between Romiosyni and Hellenism to whether the “democratic views” of Konstantinos Karamanlis, when he returned from France to govern Greece, were influenced by his friendship with Ahrweiler.

The President of “Prometheus,” Giannis Yamanis, noted in his greeting that “we had planned to invite” Eleni Ahrweiler to speak to us online, but unfortunately “we didn’t make it in time.” Professor Sophia Mergiali was introduced by the Association’s Vice President, Magdalini Papapostolou-Kantartzi.