A lifetime of diplomacy: A conversation with Prokopis Vanezis

·

By Stavros Nikolaou, Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus

It was an afternoon full of stories—many untold—poetry, dragons, and a single fairy unfolds as the present meets the past to discuss the future. Mr. Prokopis Vanezis, the second Cypriot to serve as High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, is a significant figure in Cypriot diplomacy.

On Jim Socrates and his wife’s initiative in arranging this meeting, they found my full agreement.

As I conclude my duties as Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, reflecting with one of the early trailblazers seems ideal for a comprehensive review.

As we look back on his varied life with a rather positive outlook—positive, because a career in significant posts in the Cyprus Diplomatic Service cannot be entirely rosy—it feels like riding a train through Cyprus’ modern history. Now residing in Australia, this might be his last station, akin to Seferis’ poem where ‘an irony of thought’ arises, and you ‘hurry to open your heart lest foreignness catch up with you and change it.’

A passionate patriot, Mr. Vanezis discusses his crucial decision to move to Australia, a country he loved almost as much as Cyprus.

“I wanted to end my career in an English-speaking country and then return with my wife to Cyprus, but I ended up staying here for the rest of my life. I have no regrets,” he adds.

We talk about his introduction to Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, about whom he has written perhaps the most detailed trilogy. He reveals unknown aspects of Makarios’ personality—the jokes, the wit, and the layers beneath his public role, which made up his impressive persona. The occasion for these books, he says, was the frequent question from foreign diplomats, “How can a modern state have a Father as its head?” To avoid lengthy explanations, he decided to share his writings, which impressed everyone.

We discussed his diplomatic career, his role as the auditor of the Foreign Ministry (now the Internal Audit Unit), the missteps he identified, the pressures he faced, and the challenges when he acted against the norm. Dragons in a fairy tale with a sweet aftertaste, though in reality, the dragons never truly touched him.

At 96 years old, with a memory sharper than a sword, he emphasises, “The most important quality a diplomat should have been honesty.”

A man of integrity, he never indulged in small talk or pettiness. His compass was education, believing that an educated person finds their way through conversation, while the uneducated remain stuck in the past—a lesson he passed on to his children. His son Andrew, present that afternoon, confirms this perfectly.

We also discussed major international issues. He is deeply concerned about current affairs and has clear views on each significant issue. Age, bringing unlimited wisdom, is treated as an asset. He knows the great Kavadi lyrics by heart and seems to have understood them through his experiences. He comprehended what Ithacas mean, as the Alexandrian poet would say.

Our conversation inevitably turns to Sydney’s Cypriot community.

“It is the first thing I ask when meet community members,” he says. “I am always concerned about the future of the Cypriot presence in Australia.”

Recent developments have justified these concerns. The current President, Michael Peters Kyriacou, who recently took office, joined us. He faces the challenging task of transitioning the community into a new era. Mr. Vanezis, with a smile, says, “I don’t know whether to offer congratulations or condolences.”

He advises that youth and investment in them should guide the community’s future plans, it’s all about renewal, change, engaging with the younger adults the youth, less so about personalities and property.

“Only by effectively embracing the youth will you achieve your goals,” he tells Michael.

Mr. Vanezis was told of the upcoming Community members meeting to decide on the Stanmore property future, and he reiterated that the Community is a lot more than just real estate it’s about the future presence of Cypriots in Australia.

Mr Vanezi was pleased to learn that younger Cypriots have now taken on leadership roles in the Community and there is a clear plan, to renew the Community by engaging the youth and resolving the future of the Stanmore property with a clear vision to safeguard the legacy of the Cypriots and the future of the Community.

Many developments lie ahead, and the power is in the hands of the many, to whom the leadership must explain its vision. With vision, only good things can happen. After nearly a century of life, he feels his strength waning but does not give up. His mind remains sharper than ever. He aims to finish one last book, and I believe he will. Despite mobility problems and poor eyesight, he persists.

“What saddens me about my vision problem is that I can no longer read as much as I want and that I can’t see her,” he says, pointing to his beloved wife, Lula, who blushes like a young girl. The fairy I mentioned earlier—she is the one.

Even if Seferis did not write the last station about love, isn’t that how everything ends? “In the dark we go, in the dark we go. The heroes go to the dark…”

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Bouzouki Night 2025: A celebration of youth, culture and Hellenic pride in the Capital

It was a night of kefi in Canberra as 300 guests filled the Hellenic Club of Canberra for the Hellenic Youth Club’s Bouzouki Night 2025.

Cretan and Kalymnian youth in Sydney unite for a night of dance, music and kefi

The spirit of Greece came alive in Sydney as the Cretan Youth Association of Sydney and the Kalymnian Youth Society of NSW hosted Xoro.

Greek language attainment award, from yiayia’s kitchen to the classroom

The Greek Centre in Melbourne filled with pride and applause on Saturday, October 18 as the GCM honoured students of all ages.

Once a year, the future gathers at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial

Once a year, on an October spring morning, the Australian Hellenic War Memorial (AHWM) fills with the laughter of children.

Parliament House to host inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum

The Embassy of Greece in Australia will present the inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum, an exciting event.

You May Also Like

Feros Group to take over premier waterfront venue in Darling Harbour

The Feros Group has announced they now own and operate the iconic Helm Bar & Bistro in Sydney's Darling Harbour.

Greek Cultural Precinct at Northcote’s Holy Monastery of Axion Estin moves closer to reality

Plans to transform the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin in Northcote into a landmark Greek Cultural Precinct have entered a critical new phase.

Global Connections at the Greek language conference co-organised by Macquarie Uni

The Global Connections conference was organised by three different institutions and was held from January 26 to 28 with record participation.