March 19, 2008 (Palatine, Illinois): The author presented at Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine, Illinois

February 24, 2008 (Des Moines, Iowa): The author presented at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Des Moines, Iowa. The lecture and book signing event was hosted by the local Philoptochos, with Dr. Chrystalla Daly serving as the gracious coordinator. Rev. Fr. Basil W. Hickman made the introductions.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Dr. Chrystalla Daly and author		Author
Autographing for Arcadia, My Arcadia fan Elaine Avgerinos		Young author fans with author
Dinner with Church Board Members after the event (Rev. Basil Hickman and Presbyter present)		Jordan Creek Mall

December 19, 2007 (Palos Hills, Illinois): The author spoke at the St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He autographed copies of ARCADIA, MY ARCADIA and its Greek rendition ELLADA MOY, PATRIDA MOY.

Announcement of event
Proto presbyter Rev. Byron Papanikolaou welcomes author Nicholas Kokonis		Rev. Nicholas Jonas with author
Author Nicholas Kokonis answering a question from the audience		Arcadia, My Arcadia fans Alex and Kathryn Garcia with daughter Debbie and twins Joshua and Michael surround the author

November 27, 2007 (Athens, Greece): The Greek rendition of Kokonis’ novel, Ellada Mou, Patrida Mou, which is hot off the press, was officially launched at PARNASSOS, Greece’s most revered literary center. It was a panel presentation by noted literary critics, including Dr. Elias Giannikopoulos, literary critic and lawyer. Dr. Giannakopoulos hailed the novel as “a classic piece of writing and a hymn to the struggles and triumphs of the poor and marginalized.” More than 500 people were in attendance, including members of the press, men and women of the movie and art industry, academicians, local authors, politicians and fellow Arcadians. The local press described the event as “a memorable literary symposium.”

Audience

Author and members of the panel		First Presenter: Mrs. Hara Lagopati-Tombra
Second Presenter: Mr. Fotis Fournodavios		Third Presenter: Dr. Elias Giannikopoulos
Fourth Presenter: Mr. Nikos Franghias		Reader: Mr. Yiorgos Souxes
Author Nicholas D. Kokonis thanking the presenters and those in attendance		Author autographing for book fan
Author accepting compliments from members of the audience		Thank you all!

• October 22, 2007 (Tripolis, Greece): Enthusiastic was the reception of the launching of ELLADA MOY, PATRIDA MOY, the Greek rendition of ARCADIA, MY ARCADIA. The presenters offered memorable commentaries and magnetized the eager audience with their eloquence. (Click here to read press release 1 and press release 2.)
  
  The panel of presenters
  
  
  The dramatic readers
  
  
  Audience
  
  
  Author autographing for local family and friends
  
  
  Author autographing for mayor of Tripolis, Mr. Alexandros Kotsianis
  
  

• July 7, 2007 (Athens, Greece): The author visited the Parnassos Literary Center where his novel Arcadia, My Arcadia will be discussed on November 27, 7:30 pm. During his two-day Athens stay, he also visited the Athens A' Cemetery and paid homage to Greece's renowned men of letters (including Kostis Palamas, one of his favorite poets since high school days) and venerated the graves of national heroes (including Theodoros Kolokotronis), before moving on to the graves of popular cinema stars and legendary singers. His trip ended with a visit to Kaisariani ("Monument of the Two Hundred"), where a page of modern Greek history was written in blood.

  Author in front of Parnassos

  Visiting Kostis Palamas' grave at the A' cemetery of Athens

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• May 17, 2007 (Palos Heights, IL): ST. SPYRIDON CELEBRATED ITS 90 TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NICHOLAS D. KOKONIS' AWARD-WINNING "ARCADIA, MY ARCADIA"
  
  The community of St. Spyridon in Palos Heights, Illinois, rejoiced in celebrating the 90th anniversary of its founding with a reception presenting Nicholas D. Kokonis' award-winning novel Arcadia, My Arcadia. The talk and book-signing event was sponsored by the local Philoptochos Society.
  
  Dr. Kokonis' eloquent presentation, complimented with his charisma for public speaking and unusual personal charm, moved the audience. The author breathed such life into his characters that endeared us to them even before we had a chance to read the story.
  
  Most of the people in the audience were immigrants who readily identified with the struggle of the story's young protagonist, angel-hearted, value-bound Angelos Vlahos. During the question-and-answer session, those from the Arcadian area, or with roots there, brought up names, places and events that bonded with the story. Others, such as young second generation parents who want to keep the old values and connections, expressed their thanks to the author for telling the story that was long due.
  
  A woman said: "I read Arcadia, My Arcadia with a great deal of pleasure. The book is an engaging, emotional, and suspenseful read. It made me empathize with the struggles of a vast part of the human race like nothing I've ever read." Another woman stated: "Whoever could not make the presentation really lost out."
  
  I, like most others, felt that author Kokonis brought to fruition what many of us have welled up in their hearts and probably will never write down. The story of Arcadia, My Arcadia is truly a labor of love.
  
  Arcadia, My Arcadia chronicles the personal odyssey of a poor, country boy who struggles to decide his destiny in the decade of the 1950s Arcadia.
  
  The author claimed that Arcadia, My Arcadia is not his own personal story, though many who know him more intimately suspected otherwise. Be that as it may, I think his main character, Angelos, stands as a shining symbol of a determined, good-natured boy who practiced the Hellenic and Christian ideals, learned from the classics and put himself up for a role model for our youth?a model so direly needed these days.
  
  I read once that "tradition is the bond that links the generations." We thank Dr. Kokonis for the link offered through his written word.
  
  On behalf of the entire community of St. Spyridon, I would like to thank Dr. Kokonis for a most rewarding, wonderful evening.
  
  OLGA PAXINOS,
  President
  Philoptochos Society
  

  Olga Paxinos, President of St. Spyridon Philoptochos, with author	Father Tilemahos Alikakos with Nicholas D. Kokonis
  Byzantine chanting at Saint Spyridon	Author making a point
  Audience enjoying the presentation

• May 2, 2007 (Greece):The Award-Winning Greek rendition of Nicholas D. Kokonis' novel Arcadia, My Arcadia, "ELLADA MOU, PATRIDA MOU" is now available!
  The ambitious, exhausting undertaking of philologist Fotis Fournodavlos of Athens, this rendition, like the novel's original English edition, was awarded a prize from the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists "as most outstanding, exemplary literary achievement."

  Fotis Fournodavlos with award

  2008, 500 pp ISBN 978-0-9754032-3-5

• April 16, 2007 (Elgin, IL): On Monday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m., ST. SOPHIA'S GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH of Elgin, IL hosted a presentation of the award-winning and much-acclaimed novel Arcadia, My Arcadia. Sponsor of the event was the community's Golden Circle. Copies of the book were available for purchase and signing. The audience, who easily related to the story, engaged the author in an absorbing discussion.
  
  
  Author signing copies for fan of "Arcadia, My Arcadia"
  
  
  Another fan declared that "Arcadia, My Arcadia" is not for Arcadians only. "It is for every person who values tradition and is determined to succeed in life no matter what!"
  
  
  Fans of "Arcadia, My Arcadia" in Elgin, Illinois

• April 12, 2007 (Chicago, IL): The author presented to an enthusiastic group at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church. Sponsored by the local Stewardship Committee, the event was graciously hosted by two outstanding, proactive individuals: Cathy Fasseas and Terri Mikozis.
  
  
  Mrs. Cathy Fasseas introduces the author
  
  
  Nicholas D. Kokonis makes a dramatic point
  
  
  Student Annie Niemic with author, following her brief commentary about how Arcadia, My Arcadia inspired her (read her full piece by clicking here)
  
  
  Composite picture of the gracious group

• March 26, 2007 (Chicago, IL):
  AUTHOR MAKES GOOD ON HIS PROMISE
  Making good on his promise, author Nicholas D. Kokonis recently presented Mr. Jim Karalekas, Former Supreme President of Pan-Arcadian Federation, with a check from the proceeds of the first edition of Arcadia, My Arcadia.
  
  
  Mr. Jim Karalekas, and author Dr. Nicholas D. Kokonis
  Arcadia, My Arcadia is the elegantly and dramatically told story of a poor, courageous country boy (Angelos Vlahos) who struggles to decide his own fate in the decade of the 1950s in war-torn Arcadia. Written as a personal hymn to the ordinary men and women of the world who chased their dream and caught it abroad, this award-winning, inspirational story is particularly noted for its humanistic values, including family, education and faith in the unlimited potential of every human being.
  
  Comparing it to Richard Wright's Black Boy and Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography, some critics hailed Arcadia, My Arcadia as "a masterpiece." Others said that it is "pure gold, one of its kind book!" and "the legend of all immigrants." For still others, "it must enter our home like a loved one who was missing for years."
  
  Featured in the media here as well as abroad, the book and its author have been receiving many honors and distinctions, including an recent invited interview on Comcast Newsmakers.

• March 6, 2007 (Elmhurst, IL):Among the honors and distinctions Arcadia, My Arcadia and its author have been receiving is a recent invited interview on Comcast Newsmakers. Conducted by Lisa Aprati, charismatic television personality and Alderwoman, the interview will air on CNN Headline News at :24 and :54 minutes past the hour, beginning Monday, April 23 and running until Sunday, April 29. Viewers should check their local cable guide for channel listing.
  
  
  Lisa Aprati and author Nicholas D. Kokonis
  
  Comcast Newsmakers is an award winning news program that features elected officials, community leaders and people making a difference across Chicagoland.

• February 24, 2007 (Athens, Greece): Mr. Fotis Fournodavlos (Graduate, Athens University, School of Philosophy and Literature) was awarded a Special Prize from the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists for his most outstanding job in translating Arcadia, My Arcadia. The Greek edition of the book, under the title "ELLADA MOY, PATRIDA MOY" is scheduled to come off the press in the immediate future.
  
  

• February 1, 2007 (Chicago, IL):
  The author was invited to participate in an open-to-the public forum on Arcadia, My Arcadia at Northeastern Illinois University. Organized by Prof. Michael Davros, the event was hosted by his Honors Literature class. Members of the community attended the event.
  
  In his invitation to the author, Dr. Davros stated:
  "Dear Dr. Kokonis:
  Partly as a result of my reading Arcadia, My Arcadia during an educational leave from Northeastern Illinois University, I have composed a book-length draft of a literary analysis which features your book and the books of seven other authors of Hellenic origin. I have also designed a course offering at the university titled 'Byzantium vs. the Caliphate: Confronting the Cultural Other,' which is an outgrowth of the year's study of Greek-American authors."
  
  
  
  
  "This is, above all else, a story of an education."
  
  
  Fans of Arcadia, My Arcadia, Dr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mitchell and Mrs. Milton (Cathy) Fasseas with author
  
  
  Prof. Michael Davros with author.
  Of Arcadia, My Arcadia, Dr. Davros remarked:
  
  "Nicholas D. Kokonis' richly crafted novel provides a masterwork that documents a thirst for freedom that is present in the psyches of both Americans and Greeks.
  
  The novel is richly rewarding in second readings in both Greek and English. This is a novel that will appeal to generations of readers who will look to its pages for the hope needed to survive life's difficulties.
  
  A remarkable story of perseverance, Arcadia, My Arcadia sets a new standard for literature that is concerned with surviving the immigrant experience."
  
  
  Dr. William Graddy, Professor of English, Trinity International University:
  "The novel has continues to percolate in my mind since my first acquaintance with it. The deepest rewards of the book, though, take shape only in reflection, as one begins to trace the larger contours that emerge in a text that has been sculpted with a skilled hand."

• January 20, 2007 (Hellenic Communication Service):Arcadian Writer Nikos D. Kokonis Receives Prestigious Literary Prize [in Greek]
  
  

• January 11, 2007 (Athens, GREECE):
  Arcadia, My Arcadia won a "First Homer Award" and "Gold Medal" from the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists at a vasilopita-cutting ceremony. In addition, the Society bestowed upon the author a "special award for particular recognition of intellectual labor and contribution to literature."

  Author's Award

  Vasilopita

  
  
  Friends of the author and old college classmates, Photis Fournodavlos (c), George Taklis (r) and Demetris Dantoulis (l) accepting the special award on his behalf in Athens, with Mrs. Chrysoula Varveri-Varra, President of the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists.
  
  
  Mrs. JoAnne Lampropulos of Houston, TX, fan of Arcadia, My Arcadia, with President of the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists and author Takis Ioannides during the January 11, 2007 Ceremony in Athens, Greece.
  
  
  Highlight of the Event
  
  
  The "lucky" one of the evening was lovely Laura Lampropulos, currently studying in Greece.