The name “Sparta” is an immense source of pride in our township. We love calling ourselves Spartan. The Spartan helmet is a revered symbol in our community. And how many times have you watched the movie “300” and shouted out, “This is Sparta!”?
With that in mind, what does it mean to you that our town is named after a Greek city with such a rich cultural history? Have you thought about that relationship? I have.
The Spartans in Greece are also immensely proud of their history and of their cultural reach. They know of the dozens of cities and towns throughout the world named after Sparta, and they would very much like to connect with them.
The time has come for our municipality to strengthen that bond and celebrate our cultural roots, and you can be a part of it.
The Sparta Institute in Greece was established to highlight and promote the culture of ancient Sparta. The organization holds an annual conference, and in early September, I was invited to speak at the conference, at which Sparta, N.J., was named as an honored guest.
Following the conference, I had a formal meeting with Mayor Mihalis Vakalopoulos at his office in Sparta, Greece. All involved expressed excitement for building our relationship.
Here is a link to a presentation I gave at a recent council meeting on the visit to Greece, with pictures of the Sparta, Greece, community: youtube.com/live/HZ0ti60nzfQ?t=9376s
The Sparta Institute announced that the 2026 conference will be held right here in Sparta, N.J. Many academics, experts in the history of ancient Sparta from leading universities around the world, will join elected officials and many other guests and visitors to attend the event.
For Spartan culture, for Greek culture and history, the world’s focus will be on Sparta, N.J. What will this event look like? You can help shape that.
The Township Council formed a Sister City committee earlier this year. This group will be joined by a counterpart in Greece, made up of members of the Sparta Institute and other volunteers.
The committee will help plan the 2026 conference and accompanying festivities. More broadly, it will identify opportunities to build our relationship as sister cities.
Consider the possibilities for student and other academic exchanges, joint business opportunities, and for art, history and other cultural programs.
If you are interested, please consider joining the committee or attending one of its meetings. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information.
Note: The views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Township Council.
Dan Chiariello
Sparta
Editor’s note: Chiariello is a member of the Township Council.