The National Hellenic Society will hold its 2026 Heritage Weekend & Classic in Washington, D.C., from October 8 through 11, ending with an Excellence Awards Gala in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress.
Every attendee must register individually in advance. In a September 23 email to Cosmos Philly, NHS said the requirement is due to security and event logistics at the Library of Congress.
Guided tours are planned from Thursday through Saturday, with panel discussions scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Friday evening’s Red, White & Blue-themed Glendi begins at 6:30 p.m. at the InterContinental Washington D.C. at The Wharf. The gala follows Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Library of Congress.
This year’s program will honor National Hellenic Society founders George Behrakis, the late Dr. George Korkos, George Marcus and George Stamas. The society is also marking the United States’ 250th anniversary with programming centered on Greek ideas of civic responsibility and their connections to the American founding.
Among the announced guest speakers are Isidoros Kouvelos, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee; Dora Bakoyannis, a member of the Hellenic Parliament for Chania; and Pavlos Geroulanos, a member of Parliament. Kouvelos was elected HOC president in January 2025, after serving as president of the International Olympic Academy from 2009 to 2025.
Other scheduled participants include William J. Antholis of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, archaeologist John Camp, film producer and executive Sid Ganis, Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Sean Hemingway and former U.S. diplomat John Negroponte.
Also joining the program are retired U.S. Army Gen. Andrew Poppas, Katherine Benvin Quinn, former USC president C. L. Max Nikias, Deborah Wince-Smith and Hillsdale College professor Matthew Spalding.
Full-weekend registration costs $2,500 for NHS members and $3,000 for non-members. Reduced rates are available for young professionals, Heritage Greece alumni, students and attendees under 22. Individual evening tickets are $500 for Friday’s Glendi and $750 for Saturday’s gala.
Registrants can also choose from daytime activities including Dumbarton Oaks and the U.S. Botanic Garden, the National Museum of American History, the National Gallery of Art and the “D.C. Landmarks through Ancient Greek Eyes” tour. Information on the Dr. George Korkos & Telly Savalas Memorial Golf Tournament is still forthcoming.
Attendees needing help with hotel accommodations can contact the National Hellenic Society at info@hellenicsociety.org or (703) 256-3180.
Registration and current program information are available through the National Hellenic Society’s Heritage Weekend website.
Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending, as dates, times, locations, and registration information may change.