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On Monday, March 25th the US branch of the 15-nation Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy in Nashville was honored to host Greek Consul-Atlanta, Excellency Theodoros Dimopoulos for a ceremony and evening illuminations marking a dual celebration of Greek Independence Day and the Philip Lindsley Bicentennial.

Tim and Judy Zaunbrecher of Amber Falls Winery (the official winery of HICD-USA) delighted Consul Dimopoulos with welcoming gifts in his room at Nashville’s historic 5-star Hermitage Hotel. Later, they were on hand to greet him at the Parthenon for official ceremonies.

With the Parthenon as backdrop, HICD-USA President DeeGee Lester (LCHS, class of 1968) welcomed Consul Dimopoulos for the 203rd Anniversary of Greek Independence and the Bicentennial of the 1824 arrival in Nashville of classicist and college president Dr Philip Lindsley. It was his vision for Nashville “to create on the frontier a New Athens dedicated to education and the arts.” That vision evolved throughout the 19th century into recognition of Nashville as the Athens of the South, as home to major universities, and by the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, as home to the world’s only full-scale replica of the ancient Parthenon.

HICD-USA wishes to thank Tim and Judy Zaunbrecher and Amber Falls Winery for their long and valued partnership as we continue to build rich cultural collaborations with Greece, and for their participation in this historic event.

Amber Falls Winery owners, Tim and Judy Zaunbrecher with Greek Consul-Atlanta, Excellency Theodoros Dimopoulos

(photo credit: Madison Thorn Photography)