Summer School on Greek culture and civilization for Greeks abroad from the USA (US Citizens):

Μystras, Laconia (Greece), July 25 - August 7, 2024

Free school - No fee

1. Τhe Program

The Birthright Hellas Committee of Hellenic Cultural Center of the Southwest, in collaboration with the Hellenic Open University, announces twenty-five (25) places for a summer school on “Greek Culture and Civilization from Ancient Times to Modern Era,” which will take place in the medieval settlement of Mystras (Laconia, Greece) from Thursday the 25th of July to Wednesday the 7th of August 2024. The program will include applications from Greeks abroad from the US (US citizens). The program is under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. Location

The summer school will take place in the historic medieval settlement of Mystras (Laconia, Greece). Classes will be held at the Institute of Byzantine Studies of the University of Peloponnese in Mystras (http://inevyp.kalamata.uop.gr/?page_id=149&lang=el ). Participants will be accommodated at the nearby Mystras Palace Hotel (https://www.mystraspalace.com/el/).

Excursions and guided tours will be organized in the wider area of Laconia and Messinia.

3. Content

The program consists of three-hour daily lectures and discussion meetings on the three periods of Greek culture and civilization (ancient, medieval/Byzantine, and modern/ contemporary). Furthermore, there will be corresponding activities on the topics covered by the meetings, mainly guided tours and excursions.

• Lecture topics:

Ancient Era

1. Ancient history
2. Archeology and ancient Greek art
3. Ancient religion and mythology
4. Ancient philosophy and

Μedieval (Βyzantine) Era

1. Byzantine history
2. Byzantine art and architecture
3. Byzantine philosophy and the Greek enlightenment 

Modern and Contemporary Era

1. Modern Greek history
2. Modern Greek literature
3. Modern Greek art
4. Greek cinema
5. Greek music
6. Greek

3. 2 Activities / Guided tours

1. Αncient Sparta and the Archeological Museum
2. Ancient Messini (Ithomi)
3. Diros Cave and Kastania Cave
4. Settlement of Mystras
5. Monemvasia
6. Koumantareios Portrait Gallery (Sparta)
7. Cape Tainaron and Oracle
8. Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil (Sparta)

4. Accommodation, meals, and transportation (all free)

Accommodation will be offered for free in double rooms for 14 nights with breakfast and one meal per day. Transportation to the sites of excursions and guided tours as well as entrance fees (where applicable) will be covered by the organizer.

The organizer will NOT cover transportation to Mystras from Athens airport or any other airport and backward.

5. Αpplication and selection

The participants in the summer school must:

• Be between 18-28 years old,
• Be students (undergraduates, postgraduates, or doctoral students) or have a background of tertiary education.
• Have a Greek ancestral background (1st or 2nd or 3rd generation or more Greek ancestors)
• Sent a motivation letter, which will state the reasons for participating in the summer school (see the form below).

Results will be announced in May 2024.

Criteria for selection:

1. Greek ancestral background (ON/ OFF)
2. Motivation letter (Evaluated)  (Please download Motivation Letter template from here)
3. Enrollment for undergraduate or postgraduate studies at a higher institution (60 % of the participants will come from the undergraduate level and 40 % from the postgraduate level).