The Trial of Orestes (Press Release - VID)

The Trial of Orestes will take place at the UIC Forum – 725 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60607 on Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 from 6 to 9pm. Reception immediately follows the trial. Tickets available through TicketMaster: $100 for one invitation to the Trial of Orestes, $50 for one student invitation to the Trial of Orestes (must present valid Student ID). Share on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @HellenicMuseum #TrialOfOrestes.

Judge Honorable Richard A. Posner, Presiding Judge, Honorable Charles P. Kocoras, and Honorable William J. Bauer, and a jury of twelve distinguished citizens of Chicago, will decide the validity of these charges. Orestes will be defended by Dan K. Webb (Winston & Strawn) and Robert A. Clifford (Clifford Law Offices). Counsel for the prosecution will be Patrick J. Fitzgerald (Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP) and Patrick M. Collins (Perkins Coie).

The Oresteia, by Greek playwright Aeschylus (525-456 BC), is a foundational literary work that examines the crucial place of law in society. Consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides, the trilogy constitutes a deeply affecting study of crime and punishment, probing such irresolvable and vexatious issues as the nature of justice, the frequent conflicts between love and duty, the torments of moral decision making, our obligations to the gods, society, and ourselves, and the spiritual consequences of irremediable actions. Above all, the Oresteia shows us the burdens of a culture based on the lex talionis—an eye for an eye—and the blessings of a jury trial in a court of law.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship packages include: $25,000 Athenian Circle: six invitations to the Trial of Orestes, two page acknowledgement in the program book, prominent logo on all promotional materials, PR, social media and the Museum's website, private tour of the American Moments Exhibition, four individual museum memberships. $10,000 Agora Circle: four invitations to the Trial of Orestes, full page acknowledgement in the program book, prominent logo placement on the Museum website and on social media, four individual annual Museum memberships. $5,000 Citizen's Circle: two invitations to the Trial of Orestes, half page acknowledgement in the program book, logo placement on the Museum website and on social media. $1,500 Friends Circle: two invitations to the Trial of Orestes, one quarter page acknowledgement in the program book and on the Museum's website. To find out more sponsorship information, contact Renee Pappas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About the 2013 Trial of Socrates
On Thursday, January 31, 2013, the National Hellenic Museum hosted the widely successful (re)Trial of Socrates at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel with over 900 people who attended the sold out public program. The trial found Socrates "guilty" of religious and non-conformity and corrupting the youth. Due to maximum capacity at the Palmer House, the Museum had to turn away people at the door. The Museum anticipates the same success at the Trial of Orestes which will be hosted in a larger venue, the UIC Forum. Watch the highlights of the 2013 Trial of Socrates. The Trial of Socates DVD will be available for purchase at the Trial of Orestes event.

"Once in a life time opportunity..."
– Global News Wire

"Chicago's top attorneys plan to spend their time arguing a 2,400-year-old free speech case"
– Business Insider, Australia

"...one of the biggest freedom of speech cases of all times."
– Reuters

About the Museum
The National Hellenic Museum is America's only national institution to document and present the legacy of Greek Americans and their contributions to the American mosaic,
while celebrating their rich Greek history and culture and the profound impact of their Hellenic heritage upon the world.

The Museum is located in a 40,000-square-foot, three-story, eco-friendly building which is
home to interactive exhibits, children's education center, research library, oral history
center, museum store, special events hall, and rooftop terrace.

For more information, visit http://www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org or call 312-655-1234.
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