The ’70s Classic Marathon Races

Michel Bréal

O Γάλλος καθηγητής Michel Bréal, έγραψε μια επιστολή στον Δημήτριο Βικέλα, που δημοσιεύτηκε στον Ελληνικό τύπο, και που αποκαλύπτει την συμβολική διάσταση της προτάσεώς του: «... αγνοώ ποίας εθνικότητας θα είναι ο νικητής (του 1^ου Μαραθωνίου Δρόμου), αλλά οιονδήποτε το γένος του, τον προσαγορεύω ως αντιπρόσωπο της Ελληνικής παραδόσεως». Είχε προτείνει το 1896 το Μαραθώνιο Δρόμο για να τιμάται και να μνημονεύεται στο διηνεκές η προ 2.500 χρόνων στο Μαραθώνα επικράτηση της Δημοκρατίας ενάντια στον ολοκληρωτισμό, η νίκη του πολιτισμού ενάντια στην βαρβαρότητα. Ακολουθούσε νοερά την πορεία του αρχαίου δρομέα Φειδιππίδη, που έτρεξε από τον Μαραθώνα στην Αθήνα για να ανακοινώσει την νίκη των Ελλήνων κατά των βαρβάρων επιδρομέων το 490π.Χ.

The Academic Marathon

The first winter semester at the University of Geneva was in 1995-1996. Once the curriculum started out, Billy and Tolly had to go out at eight in the morning and come back home in the afternoon, either attending their courses or studying at the library. Easily and quickly they became accustomed to their hard working program. There were some Saturday parties. The boys had the opportunity to go out with their friends, youngsters from Switzerland, as well as from all over the world, a unique opportunity in the city of Geneva.

The weather had been mostly nice all through October. For nine weeks there was not a chance of free time. The boys were interested in their courses and we were satisfied with their work. I was fascinated by the little girls and boys speaking Greek, singing the Greek Christmas carols and traditional songs, and reciting poems in the Greek language. I felt I was offering the least I had to teaching Greek songs to the smart little Swiss-Greek youngsters.

Once a month the Greek ladies of Geneva gathered at a hall where outstanding speakers spoke about very interesting subjects. The Geneva branch of the Greek Lyceum had their monthly meetings each month commenting on the books we have chosen to read. These gatherings helped me make more friends in the city that was almost new to me.

Basil and I were often flying to Geneva. The children had already made many new acquaintances. Five years before the aurora of the New Millenium they were beginning their first winter semester at the University of Geneva, taking their future in their own hands.