Nestled within Castle Barrett, Creighton University’s Hellenic Society hosted their third “Greek Night Glendi” this past weekend to commemorate Greece’s independence.  

“This event gives us the opportunity to share our culture with the Creighton community and celebrate Greek Independence Day together,” Susie Papadopoulos, Co-President of Creighton’s Hellenic Society and College of Arts and Sciences senior, said in an email. “This is such an important holiday in our culture, as it celebrates the freedom from 400 years of Ottoman rule.”  

For Maria Piperis, a law student at Creighton University who joined Creighton’s Hellenic Society after undergraduate school, celebrating Greek’s independence comes with many traditions.  

“There are a few traditional Greek dances associated with the [independence] day,” Piperis said. “And when we celebrate each year, we do these dances sometimes. I did one at our local church last Sunday, but one of those dances is [from a time when Greece was] under Ottoman occupation. Greek women in certain areas danced off of cliffs to their death to escape occupation, so people do a commemorative dance for that.”  

When asked what his favorite Greek tradition is, George Golfinopoulos, a Heider College of Business junior, said, “We always celebrate your name’s day. … and you celebrate your name’s day pretty much the same [way] you celebrate your birthday.”  

Your name’s day is the feast day of the saint you are named after.  

The buffet was full of Greek cuisine, offering attendees the opportunity to customize their gyros, try tzatziki sauce and fill up on baklava.  

“I’ll eat it all. … Try everything once, you know what I mean?” Michael Ramcharan, a Heider College of Business junior, said.  

At one point during the night, the co-presidents of Creighton’s Hellenic Society took to the dance floor to deliver a speech to the crowd. Co-President and College of Arts and Sciences senior Petrina Arvanitakis said, “My mom always put on Greek Independence Day events in Kansas, so it means so much to do this here with you guys.”  

Arvanitakis mentioned in the speech how she is a senior and this was her last time participating in Creighton’s Greek Night Glendi. When asked what she will miss the most about Creighton’s Hellenic Society, Arvanitakis said over text, “Hellenic Society was my first home at Creighton, and I have made so many memories. I will miss so many members, but I know we will stay close. I will miss Greek Night and teaching everyone how to Greek dance!”  

During the speech, Papadopoulos said, “Culture events like this from Creighton are so important to help students from different backgrounds feel a sense of community and belonging, which is why this is so important to me.”  

The night moved forward with people flooding the dance floor. Greek music, as well as the occasional “Mamma Mia!” song, filled the venue. When these songs began to play, people were pulled onto the dance floor—voluntarily or not.  

“To say my Greek heritage is important to me is an understatement,” Arvanitakis said in a text. “It shaped my childhood and who I am. My parents raised me with a deep pride of our homeland, taking me there to visit family as often as we could, teaching me the language and teaching me how many important contributions this beautiful country made. Being Greek is a part of my identity.”  

There were endless smiles throughout Greek Night Glendi. Bystanders kept surrounding the dance floor to cheer on the dancers. At one point, members of Creighton’s Hellenic Society gathered to take group pictures on the dance floor.  

“I am very proud of my heritage and culture, and seeing everyone who I have gotten to share it with is very special,” Papadopoulos said via email. “It has been a ton of work, especially planning this event, and the entire exec[utive] team has worked so hard, but it’s always so rewarding to see the results and outcome of the event and enjoy it.”