Welcome to issue 12...
Since
it is the very first time we come into contact with each other,
Ι as the new editor of this extremely significant journal, would
like to ask for your permission to expand on a number of topics
which will introduce my personal aspirations to you and at the
same time give you an idea of the course we’re hoping to follow
in the near future with this journal; all with due respect to the
Executive and the Editorial Committee from the Society of Ancient
Hellenic Studies (S.A.H.S.).
S.A.H.S. is
an organisation that has already established itself as extremely
active in relation to matters that promote the truth about
Hellenism as a culture, as an art or as a people with such a vast
history in spite of our limited numbers.
I am sure past issues of the journal have most adequately
covered these issues however it is probably time for a fresher or
different approach, one that does not bring us into confrontation
with other civilisations or ideals but at the same time promotes
our own and proud heritage.
***
It was a morning and the sun could not have showered us
with more light in the midst of all the green in a Port Melbourne
public park, as we sat quietly on a bench in view of all the
flowers and the trees, the President of S.A.H.S.
Mr. G.
Virgiotis, Dr Kostas Vitkos and I.
There we decided to make an effort to introduce me to the
Editorial Committee as editor, in order to continue an ideal that
was conceived about six years ago for the sake of the discovery of
truth and of the generations to come.
Initially, it needs to be said that, perhaps I may
never be able replace the scholar Dr Kostas Vitkos, simply because
I do not claim or boast the depth of his knowledge neither do I
claim the breadth of his experience.
I admit there’s a great deal for me to learn and as a
student it is an honour to be called in order to fill a gap that
is being formed by Dr Vitkos’ gasp for air in his overloaded
schedule. Thus I am
asking for time to learn what is necessary since he has promised
to guide me; a method which will equip me with the confidence that
will be necessary
to carry on from where he has left off, but at the same time allow
my personal inquisitive spirit to be involved in search of new
ideas since no man is the same as another.
However, if there was something I could ask of all
involved, it would have been to allow this journal to mainly focus
on the discovery of significant and hard to find events in ancient
history and culture, their identification, their analysis and
study; also to avoid the direct comparison with other similar
cultures, ideals or beliefs. Consequently
we will together feel like children finding new ways to play with
toys in a previously overused playground rather than trying to
intrude upon someone else’s toys.
At the same time I feel we should show interest for the
coverage of known events approached from a different perspective
or viewed under a different light.
It has always been one of my personal beliefs that
whichever religion we deeply examine on this planet, we will
eventually find that it is all man-made and hence in many respects
repetitive.
In conclusion we need to promise to each other an
unannounced and quiet approach in our ways, without confrontations
but with constructive dialogue, between people ecstatically
willing to discover together the civilisation by which others are
measured. And finally
I would like to ask the readers not to hesitate to express their
opinions on matters they feel are in need of more discussion and
research. Or even
raise a question about issues, philosophies and events that are
important to them. Please
contribute as we can only together continue and enhance its
success.
Wishing you all awe-inspired reading full of classic
rewards...
Iakovos Garivaldis
