The Arete Fund

Our latest initiative in Greece continues to be rewarding. The Telesilla Talks & Walks, under the direction of Adrianos Psychas, recently participated in its 10th successful collaborative program, "In the Footsteps of the Pyramid: A Journey Through Time and Tradition." We gathered with many people at the archeological site of the pyramid of Hellinikon in Argolis in partnership with the local community, the Municipality of Argos-Mycenae, and many children (with their families) from the Kindergarten of Kefalari. There were many activities throughout the day, including interactive educational games for the children, who enthusiastically learned more about their local history thanks to many adult workshop leaders, including Dianne de Laet. The adults were also able to take guided tours of the site, and all enjoyed the traditional Greek music and dancing. The lead dancer at the end (on the left) did a spectacular job showing his Arete with his closing dance moves! ` It was a heart-filled day to have so many participants from multiple generations exploring their history together in such a participatory way...

"Our latest Telesilla Talks and Walks took place in the beautiful city of Nafplio which was the capital of Greece after its independence from Turkey (1829-1834). Thanks to a very dedicated team, there is a treasure trove of materials dating from 1823. We were treated to an inside look at some wonderful documents that represent this important time in modern Greek history. Many thanks to Telesilla Talks Director Adrianos Psychas for organizing the inspiring day." Arete Fund Co-founder Steve de Laet has been involved along with his wife and Co-founder Dianne de Laet, an author, performance artist and poet. He recently shared his thoughts along with some beautiful images from the program, the ninth in an ongoing series. The program began at the General State Archives -- Argolis Dept. where participants were treated to a view of rare archival materials. Pictured is Panagiotis Maragkos sharing documents from the archive.
Photos by Steve deLaet.

Congratulations to the team in Greece for the recent presentation of the 9th Telesilla Talk & Walk "Pronoia and Neo Byzantio: Their Foundation and Historical Journey through the General State Archives -- Argolis Dept." Participants enjoyed a unique experience connecting archival research with the living web of history. Archive staff gave an inside look at historical records followed by a guided walk through Pronoi, the first organized refugee settlement in Argos. Several churches were also visited along with a stop at the National Assembly Square and the event conclusion at a cafe to discuss the day. Arete Fund Co-founders Dianne de Laet and Steve de Laet attended the event led by Program Director Adrianos Psychas who said "It was a powerful reminder that memory remains alive when shared in public space..."

Wishing all the athletes from Greece and the USA good luck in the upcoming Winter Olympics. Congratulations to all the athletes competing this year from all countries around the world and for showing their Arete in their excellent pursuit of sport. Thank you for modeling what it means to be courageous humans and for inspiring the rest of us global citizens to follow suit!

Greece: Opening Ceremony of 2026 Winter Olympic Games

Friday evening marked the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where national delegations paraded in Cortina led by the Greek athletes.

The Greek delegation was the first to enter, comprised of AJ Ginnis and Maria Eleni Tsiovolou (alpine ski racing) along with cross-country skiers Apostolos Angelis, Konstantina Charalampidou and Nefeli Tita (the flag-bearer).

Greece, Team Hellas! 🇬🇷

📸:

The Arete Fund, co-founded by Dianne de Laet and Steve de Laet, has launched a new exciting project at ElaGaia, its cutural center near Argos, Greece. Started this year, their team is led by Greek archeologist Adrianos Psychas, director of the program called the "Telesilla Talks and Walks." The website is now live, so we hope you visit soon to see our events to date and get an idea of future programs. We are so grateful for the community in Greece that is forming and hope our friends from the US and around the world can join us for a program in the years to come. As we approach Thanksgiving this year, let us share culture, history, music and friendship whenever we can. For more info: www.TelesillaTalks.com. Photo of a music program at ElaGaia in 2025 by Fanis Bouris.

Thanks to Adrianos Psychas, the director of the Telesilla Talks and Walks, for another successful event. The Arete Fund is honored to be a collaborative co-partner with the writers of Argolida.

Here's a shot of the actors doing final bows after their recent one-act play "Until Darkness Falls" which was held on the aloni at ElaGaia near Argos, Greece. The program was the second in an ongoing series of cultural programs and interactive experiences, "Telesilla Talks & Walks" hosted by Dianne de Laet and Steve de Laet of the Arete Fund. Actors Aristogeiton Pananos and Giannis Roussos were featured. Giannis wrote the play that was published in the book "Roots" by Lembos Editions. A recent article "Art is Blooming in Chouni" ran in Argos' Anagnostis newspaper after the event saying "The space has been lovingly shaped by the American philhellenes Dianne and Steve de Laet with deep respect for the natural environment and the traditional settlement." The play followed an indoor presentation by actress Eleni Triantafyllou and Telesilla Program Director Adrianos Psychas about the history of theatre from the time of the ancients to the modern Greeks. Events to come will include a memorial lecture in honor of the late visionary archeologist Stephen Miller, who supported much of the renovation at the ancient site of Nemea and renewed the ancient games in modern times in collaboration with The Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games. For more information on the Telesilla series, contact: [email protected]. Photo by Steve de Laet

Enjoy the full moon in Greece this August as it shines its light on our amazing antiquities. Support live art in its many forms at a great variety of stunning venues in Greece and we look forward to sharing our events for the “Telesilla Talks & Walks” at ElaGaia near Argos soon…

How Greece Turned the August Full Moon Into a Cultural Event - GreekReporter.com The August full moon in Greece has become a cultural celebration, casting its bright light over the country’s historic monuments.

Hosted by Dianne de Laet and Steve de Laet, The Arete Fund has begun a series of interactive programs at ElaGaia, its cultural and educational center near Argos, Greece. The "Telesilla Talks & Walks," led by Adrianos Psychas Αδριανός Ψύχας, archeologist and director, presented the second event on Thursday, July 24. The gathering was a celebration of storytelling, theatre-based play, and the experience of live performance on-site in the Artemesio mountains. Adrianos led the program on the history of Greek theatre with Actress Eleni Triantafyllou, followed by a play on the aloni "Until Darkness Falls" with actors Aristogeiton Panenos and Giannis Rousos. Inspired by the ancient poetess and warrior Telesilla of Argos, the series began with an introductory program on June 1 and will feature an ongoing calendar of events. Stay tuned for more news and a website to be coming soon. "The Telesilla Talks & Walks" "Sharing Wisdom in the Heartland of the Artemesio:Join the Circle Where Memory Becomes Movement." Adrianos Psychas on July 24 at ElaGaia, Photo by Steve de Laet.

"Sharing Wisdom in the Heartland of the Artemesio: Join the Circle Where Memory Becomes Movement" The Arete Fund (www.aretefund.net) is sponsoring a new cultural offering dedicated to conversation, creativity and community -- the "Telesilla Talks & Walks” -- a program in Greece of presentations, performances and walks at the home of Dianne de Laet & Steve de Laet called ElaGaia and in the greater area called the Argolida on the Pelopponese. Telesilla was a poet/warrior in the 5th Century who is credited with defending Argos against the Spartans in 494 BC. It is in her honor and spirit that we have named this first program which will be held this Sunday June 1 with a talk and walk at 5 pm at Aspis Hill (Archaic Sanctuary of Apollo and Athena) on "The Story of Argos Through the Eyes of Telesilla" by Adrianos Psychas, Ph.D, Director of Telesilla Talks & Walks. The program will continue with a visit to ElaGaia at 6:30 pm hosted by Dianne and Steve "Getting to Know the Arete Fund: A Conversation at ElaGaia." We hope the program will inspire creative thinking, courage and a deeper connection to our shared humanity. For more info and to RSVP, please email, [email protected].