This year, which marks the 40^th anniversary of its establishment, the Onassis Foundation celebrates this special date by planning the next forty years of its contribution and presence in the areas of education, culture and social solidarity, according to Aristotle Onassis’ will. The Onassis Foundation is now embarking on new paths with responsibility and with satisfaction steming from its perpetual commitment to provide for equal access to educational and cultural wealth for everyone.

The Onassis Cultural Center celebrates its 15 years of constant present in New York. In the heart of bustling Manhattan, the 5^th avenue, the only Greek flag waving belongs to the headquarters of the Onassis Foundation on the other side of the Atlantic. During the first years of its activity, the Onassis Cultural Center focused on the dissemination of Greek cultural heritage. Today it spreads its wings to embrace the present and the even more promising future of Greek creation.

With a renewed Board of Directors which consists of personalities from the fields of culture and the humanities, such as the philosopher and Professor of philosophy in NYU, Simon Critchley as well as the President of BAM for the last 16 years and one of the most prominent figures in cultural management worldwide, Karen Brooks Hopkins, the Professor of Archaeology Alan Shapiro, the Professor of Ancient History in the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, Angelos Chaniotis and many more new partners and collaborators, the Onassis Foundation expands its options and perspectives. In this context it opens up to a wider audience and a wider range of activities by embarking on new creative partnerships with prominent cultural institutions such as the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and the New York Public Library. Thus, contemporary Greek creation is displayed on equal terms with the rich Greek cultural heritage.