Discover the musical legacy of Markos Vamvakaris, the composer, poet, and musician known as the ‘patriarch of rebetiko’, whose artistic output had a lasting influence on the genre. In this presentation, the Zefyros dance group from the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, together with local musicians, will present a taverna scene from the 1940s, featuring songs by Vamvakaris, and a variety of dances. 

What is truth? How do we know it or take anybody’s word for it? The same questions affecting Herodotos are of paramount interest to Greek historians trying to comprehend the so-called “Father of History.”

Ben Jonson famously wrote that Shakespeare had ‘small Latin and less Greek’. This lecture will provide context for that comment, exploring Shakespeare’s engagement with ancient Greece, while also looking at the broader cultural picture of the place of the Greeks in early modern England.

The Pythia, priestess at Delphi, was said to ‘count the grains of the sands and measure the sea’, to witness the future and see the heart of Zeus. According to legend, she helped to found countless ancient Greek city-states, dictated their codes of law, and inspired philosophers from Pythagoras and Socrates to Cicero. How did the Oracle succeed and flourish?

What can jewelry tell us about the people who lived in a small Epirote village during the late Middle Ages? Where does it belong in the long, intriguing history of Byzantine art? Through the lens of archaeology, we’ll explore the role of jewelry in life and death with Dr. Georgios Makris (UBC).

Homer's description of the "wine dark sea" to the fame or notoriety of retsina today, Greek wine has been famous for millennia. On Oct 30, Dr. Hector Williams will present a brief history of Greek wine in antiquity, and we’ll explore Greek wines available in Canada.

On May 1, Pharos is looking forward to an evening of music and dance featuring Laura Blumenthal (santouri, percussion and vocals), Dayna Groumoutis (vocals), Kostas Kolokatsis (vocals), special guest Jonathan Lewis (violin) and Mark Hamilton (guitar). Click for more!

On April 3, Pharos is looking forward to a special, online-only lecture with Dr. Kostis Kornetis, visiting from the Autonomous University of Madrid. The topic is Memory, Conflict & Democratization 
in Post-Junta Greece.