Greek Adoptees to Meet in Louisville for Third Annual Reunion

After the amazing success of the first two Annual Greek Adoptee Reunions in Nashville, TN in August 2022 and in their homeland of Greece in October 2023, Greek-born adoptees are poised to converge on Louisville, KY for the Third Annual Greek Adoptee Reunion, June 20-22, 2024.

Greek adoptees and their family members from across the nation will attend the annual gathering, hosted by the Eftychia Project, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and support, free of charge, to Greek adoptees searching for their roots and Greek families searching for their children lost to adoption.

The organization was founded in 2019 by Linda Carol Trotter, a Greek-born adoptee and activist for Greek adoptee birth and identity rights.

“We are so excited for this event,” says Linda Carol, the President of the Eftychia Project.

“Our first two Reunions were resounding successes, and we are excited to be back in the USA for our third. We chose Louisville because it is centrally located in the eastern US and within a day’s drive of 2/3 of the US population, plus there are so many fun activities to do there.

“The response so far has been overwhelming, and we can’t wait for this opportunity for a special time of fun, fellowship and bonding as we build connection and community in a loving and supporting environment. The camaraderie at these Reunions is truly priceless.”

Thousands of Greek children were sent from Greece for adoption abroad, mainly to the United States, through often questionable means, in Cold War decades of the 1950’s and the 1960’s. While some adoptees were fortunate to have good parents, the lack of oversight by either the Greek or American governments often resulted in others being placed with unsuitable or abusive parents.

Now mature adults, “The ‘Orphans’ from Greece”, as the award-winning documentary from ViceTV describes them, are finding their voices and demanding their birth and identity rights in ever-growing numbers.

Program of the third Greek adoptee reunion

Unlike the two previous Reunions, this one will not have a conference or speakers. Rather, it will be an opportunity for Greek adoptees to meet one another, share their lived experiences and just have fun together. Adoptees are invited to bring their spouse/partner/children/travel buddy along as well.

The host hotel is the Cambria Hotel – Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville, within walking distance to the riverfront, restaurants and many attractions.

The Reunion begins on Thursday evening, June 20 with a Welcome Reception/Cocktail Party in the Backstretch Ballroom, with food, drinks, Greek music & dancing, goody bags and a program guide for all participants.

On Friday, June 21, group activities include a morning visit to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, and an evening ghost tour of Old Louisville, one of the largest Victorian districts and one of the most haunted places in the US.

On Saturday, June 22, the adoptees will visit the Louisville Slugger Bat Factory and Museum in the morning.

“We are not alone”

“Having attended both of the previous two Reunions, these are wonderful opportunities to connect with others like ourselves,” says Dimitrios Christo, a Greek-born adoptee and the Secretary of the Eftychia Project.

“We find we are not alone. There’s an instant bond, especially for those who were only children. You walk away from these Reunions with not just friends but with brothers and sisters.”

Steven Graeter, the Parliamentarian of the organization and also a Greek-born adoptee who was reunited with his biological family through the Eftychia Project, agrees: “These Reunions are all about connection, and they give adoptees a sense of belonging to something or someone. But they also give adoptees the tools, resources and the help they need to aid them in their searches and to connect with their biological families in Greece.”

More information on the reunion of Greek adoptees can be found at the Eftychia Project website.