The National Hellenic Society, PBS, and National Geographic Studios Join Forces to Bring Greek Presence in the Museum World and on Television

WASHINGTON, DC; June 22, 2016 – The National Hellenic Society (NHS) is proud to announce its collaboration with National Geographic in sponsoring The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great exhibition, as well as the production of the three-part miniseries based off of the exhibition, The Greeks, and the digital series, The Greek Guide to Greatness. The collaboration is unprecedented, co-branding NHS with the world renowned National Geographic. NHS strives to be a beacon for the promotion, understanding and appreciation of the Hellenic heritage in the United States, passing on the stewardship of Greek heritage and shared democratic values and ideals to the next generation.
The exhibition opened June 1, 2016 in Washington, D.C. following a celebrated stand at Chicago's Field Museum in collaboration with the National Hellenic Museum, and sponsored at the Field Museum by NHS member, John Calamos. The Greeks includes more than 500 stunning artifacts from 22 national Greek museums covering a 5,000 year historical time-span! Many of these artifacts have never left Greece and are on U.S. soil for the first time. The exhibition will be at the National Geographic Museum until October 2016.

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Gary Knell. Jim Gianopulos, and George Stamas at opening night of The Greeks
Credit: Rebecca Hale

The exhibition opened June 1, 2016 in Washington, D.C. following a celebrated stand at Chicago's Field Museum in collaboration with the National Hellenic Museum, and sponsored at the Field Museum by NHS member, John Calamos. The Greeks includes more than 500 stunning artifacts from 22 national Greek museums covering a 5,000 year historical time-span! Many of these artifacts have never left Greece and are on U.S. soil for the first time. The exhibition will be at the National Geographic Museum until October 2016.

The National Geographic Museum hosted an opening night event for The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great on Thursday, June 2, 2016, which included over 400 special guests and several NHS members from throughout the country. The audience was treated to a special tour of the exhibit, as well as a sneak peak of Episode I from The Greeks. The attendees also saw a preview of The Greek Guide to Greatness digital series produced by NHS and National Geographic. Following the exhibit launch, the NHS hosted a reception and after-party with 75 guests in attendance.

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Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Miller Center President and former Managing Director of Brookings, Bill Antholis at opening night of The Greeks
Credit: Rebecca Hale

The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great will be at the National Geographic Museum June – October 2016.

About ‘The Greeks’
The National Hellenic Society, National Geographic studios, and PBS have partnered to produce The Greeks, the new three-part miniseries tracing the innovations and legacy of the ancient Greeks. It airs nationally on PBS starting June 21, 2016 at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings).
Cavemen to Kings Premieres Tuesday, June 21, 2016, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
The Good Strife Premieres Tuesday, June 28, 2016, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Chasing Greatness Premieres Tuesday, July 5, 2016, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET

As a companion to the television series, the NHS and National Geographic Studios are also producing an innovative 10-part digital series titled The Greek Guide to Greatness, which explores the connections between ancient Greece and America today. The digital online series was inspired and developed by the NHS. The Greek Guide to Greatness highlights the lasting impact of the ancient Greek world within the context and prism of modern society.

The series will be available through nationalhellenicsociety.org and PBS.org. The series will also be distributed to high schools throughout the United States as a teaching tool and resource for history classes from grades 8-11.


In celebration of everything Greek at National Geographic, a series of events are scheduled for the public.
For images and additional up-to-date information on this and other PBS programs, visit PBS PressRoom at pbs.org/pressroom.
 
About National Hellenic Society
 
The National Hellenic Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation of Greek heritage in America.  We are a proud association of leaders, visionaries and philanthropists who perpetuate and celebrate our rich heritage.  We develop engaging programs that promote Hellenism.  More information available at: www.hellenicsociety.org. 

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