Portsmouth, NH (10 Sep 1998)—The Greek Orthodox Communities of Saint Nicholas of Portsmouth and the Annunciation of Dover will jointly host the kick-off event of the John C. Rouman Classical Lecture Series. The event, Bridges to Antiquity, an Epic & Musical Tribute to Professor John C. Rouman, will take place Saturday evening, October 3, in the Jarvis Fellowship Hall of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Portsmouth. Co-chairs of the event are Attorney John Bosen of Portsmouth and Bill Gatzoulis of Dover.

The evening will begin with a reception at 5:30pm, followed by renowned performance artist, Professor Ilona Ricardo, performing "Tales from Homer's Odyssey." Ricardo will present famous Homeric scenes and characters from the epic poem. Following a sumptuous dinner of Greek specialties fit for the gods, Professor John C. Rouman will be honored by the Committee. The evening will kick into high gear with the music of the Kokoras Ensemble along with world-famous violinist Frederick Elias.

Bridges to Antiquity is part of the John C. Rouman Classical Lecture Series, created in 1997 by the Christos and Mary Papoutsy Charitable Foundation. This extraordinary series of lectures and events promotes and enhances awareness of the Classics in New Hampshire, throughout New England, and beyond. Topics explored each year by the series will cover a range of subjects within Greco-Roman civilization including mythology, literature, history, art and languages, and will feature lectures delivered by internationally recognized speakers and scholars.

Named for one of the University of New Hampshire's most distinguished scholars and faculty members, the John C. Rouman Classical Lecture Series is a testament to the extraordinary devotion Professor John C. Rouman has exhibited and continues to display toward the field. A former Fulbright Scholar in Byzantine Greek, Dr. Rouman has won the prestigious National Award for Excellence in Teaching of Classics, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from UNH. He is currently completing the translation and commentary on the History of Nicephorus Bryennius, as well as a modern Greek textbook called Greek: The Living Language.

For ticket information, contact the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Portsmouth, NH, or the Annunciation Church in Dover, New Hampshire.