London Hellenic Centre: An update from the director
Dear Members and Friends
Happy New Year. I hope you are all well.
Most of you know that the Hellenic Centre has been a big part of my life for over twenty years. All things must come to an end eventually, and I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring as Director at the end of June.
The celebrations in November 2019 of our 25th Anniversary felt like an auspicious time for me to retire and I informed the Chairman at that time of my intention. However, when the full impact of the pandemic became clear within only a few months of that decision, I simply felt that I could not leave the Centre and the Staff at such a difficult time. For almost two years, I have done my best to keep the essence of the Centre alive, albeit having to adapt its workings to extraordinary circumstances.
It was with great relief for all of us that last September we were able to meet again in person at our physical location and to hold our events, lectures, concerts, and children’s events. With some kind of normality emerging at that time, I informed the Trustees that I would like to retire by the end of June 2022. With the start of this year bringing cautious optimism that at least in the UK, we are slowly moving away from the pandemic phase of Covid, the Trustees have started to look for my replacement.
Over the years, there have inevitably been difficulties and challenges to address. As I now get closer to looking back, my overriding reflection is great happiness on how the Hellenic Centre has developed over my time as Director, from a large space with just a few cultural events a year to a multi-purpose venue able to hold over fifty events a year.
My sincere thanks to all of the Trustees and to the Members of the Executive Board for their encouragement, support and trust in me. I would like especially to thank all of my staff for their dedication over so many years; it is amazing what a strong team working together can achieve.
It has been a privilege to be the Director of the Hellenic Centre, and I want to thank you all personally for your support over the years. I am sure the Centre will continue to flourish; it can only do so with your ongoing commitment to it.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you again at future events.
With my very best wishes
Agatha Kalisperas BEM, JP
Director of the Hellenic Centre
director@helleniccentre.org
