On October 6, the AHEPA FAMILY of  Edmonton, CJ10/ District  #24 sponsored a presentation by Yiannis Simonides of “The Apology of Socrates” in the TIMMS Centre on campus in cooperation with the Department of History and Classics, University of Alberta and the Canadian Hellenic Congress of Alberta. About 250 persons attended, including 130 high school students. The audience was enthralled, enraptured and mesmerized by Yiannis’  brilliant performance. In the discussion which followed, several students raised a number of thought provoking questions. Several teachers in attendance expressed their thanks to the AHEPA for arranging the provision of student tickets. Tickets were donated by the Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation and the Alberta Association For Multicultural Education. The event was followed by a Master Class given on campus by Mr. Simonides the following day.

Here are a number of school comments received by AHEPA CANADA Past President Nicholas Spillios who organized the event -

Diane Fisher, International Bacalaureate Coordinator, Harry Ainlay Composite High School

   - Thank you for the tickets to the play. It was well received by all students who attended. Thank you for thinking of us. Please keep us in mind for other similar events.

Marlene McDonald, Diploma Program Coordinator, Louis St. Laurent High School

     - Thanks for the invite for my staff and students.

Following are the responses from the students:

    - A very enjoyable evening.

    - It was really fantastic! Thank you for the chance to experience one of Greece’s most brilliant men!

    - Thank you. It was a hilarious play.

    - Thank you very much for the tickets to the play.  - it was simply delightful!

    - Most entertaining. Encouraged a lot of dialogue in class the next day.

    - A very enjoyable evening. Thank you.

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Emmy Award winner, Yannis Simmondes gave a must-see performance with his unique and enticing role as Socrates. To begin, he intrigued us by setting an eerie atmosphere with mysterious voices and music coming from the unknown. Satirical and witty, the play The Apology of Socrates shed light on a sometimes forgotten, but altogether interesting Greek teacher who spoke of wisdom, human nature, life, and death. This play follows Socrates as he is put on trial in Greek court, defending his innocence of "teaching falsehoods".

      The creative monologue style of the play sets the theme, and Simmondes fills the stage with a personality that will not soon be forgotten. As a humorous and animated character, Simmondes engages the audience in his performance, referring to them as "members of the court" and asking them to consider his innocence based on the facts he presents.

     This style stimulates critical and philosophical thought in the audience, as it responds to Socrates' questions such as, "What makes a wise man wise?", "Why should death be feared?" and most importantly, "What have I done that has brought me to court?" It’s simple set design is accounted for in the quality of script and acting, The Apology of Socrates is well worth watching. This astounding performance closed with much applause and a captivating question and answer period for those who remained at the end. Those who have seen the play agree: philosophical thinking has never been so entertaining!

K. Sliwinski, K. Schamber, M. Medina

International Baccaluareate students  at Holy Trinity High School, Edmonton attended the performance at the Timms Center,  U of A,  on October 06.  The play was sponsored by the Department of History and Classics and the American Hellenic Educatonal Progressive Association and co-presented by the Canadian Hellenic Congress of Albert. The Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation and the Alberta Association For Multicultural Education kindly donated the tickets exclusively to IB students.