Karamanlis, first lady wind up US trip with culture, celebrations
On his first official visit to the United States, which ended yesterday, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was accompanied by his wife Natassa – the «Greek Diana,» as she is known. Natassa followed her own program of cultural events and contacts with Diaspora Greeks and children. Escorted by Archbishop Demetrios of America, she visited two church schools in New York’s Astoria district, St Catherine’s and St George’s, where Orthodox elementary school children – mainly Greeks but some from Romania – follow the American school system in English but study Greek for one hour a day. The language, traditional dances and songs are their bridge with their place of origin. Yesterday in Rafina, we celebrated the name day of Karamanlis, who happened to be traveling home on the day itself. He and his wife have twins, just like President George W. Bush and his wife.
