UMD Modern Greek Hosts 10th Modern Greek Studies Undergraduate Conference

The theme was "Byzantium, Hellenism, and the Shaping of Modernity."

The University of Maryland Modern Greek Program proudly hosted the 10th UMD Modern Greek Studies Undergraduate Conference, titled “Byzantium, Hellenism, and the Shaping of Modernity.” Organized under the direction of Dr. Polyvia Parara, Director of the Modern Greek Program, the conference celebrated the work, dedication, and intellectual growth of students in the program through a rich interdisciplinary exploration of Byzantine civilization and its enduring legacy.

More than a single academic event, the conference represented the culmination of a semester-long collaborative project in which Dr. Parara’s students engaged deeply with major themes in Hellenism and presented their research in a formal scholarly setting. Designed as an integral part of the Modern Greek curriculum, the initiative combines language learning with cultural and intellectual inquiry through content-based lectures, guided research, collaborative learning, continuous feedback, and sustained classroom discussion. In this way, students develop not only linguistic proficiency but also critical thinking, analytical skills, and scholarly confidence.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Polyvia Parara and Professor Emerita Lillian Doherty. The program featured student presentations on topics ranging from the political and theological dimensions of Byzantium to architecture, diplomacy, economy, and cultural memory

The event was enriched by musical interludes performed by vocalist Mrs. Maria Paschalides, who presented traditional and historical songs connected to Byzantium and Hellenism.” The conference concluded with a performance by the UMD Hellenic Dance Troupe, led by Sofia Tasikas, followed by closing remarks and a dinner reception.

The conference reflected the Modern Greek Program’s broader mission under Dr. Parara’s leadership: to foster a deep appreciation of Hellenism while cultivating students' intellectual, cultural, and expressive abilities through meaningful academic engagement.