Proud Greek-Cypriot, Koraly Dimitriadis, has been named as a finalist at the Queensland Poetry Festival with her poetry film titled ‘Mediterranean Madness.’
Koraly tells The Greek Herald that ‘Mediterranean Madness’ is about identity and fitting in within Australia, while also focusing on “being misunderstood by Anglo-Australians because of the direct nature of Cypriot communication.”
“It was inspired by a lover I had where we couldn’t see eye-to-eye!” Koraly cheekily adds with a laugh.
The video which accompanies Koraly’s poem was filmed in Limassol, Cyprus, at Lady’s Mile Beach and also at a home location.
To get the footage she wanted, Koraly worked with a small team including Artemis Evlogimenou as the film maker, with assistance from Olga Aristodemou as the dialect coach.
She says she chose to shoot the video at Lady’s Mile because it’s one of her favourite beaches in Limassol.
“Limassol is also my mum’s city (she grew up in the nearby villages), so most of my family lives there and that is usually where I base myself when I go,” Koraly says.
“I have been fortunate to receive numerous travel grants from the Cypriot Ministry of Education to travel to Cyprus, perform my poetry, and also work on my debut fiction manuscript, Divided Island.”
With such a clear passion for poetry, which also includes a few poetry videos in the Cypriot dialect, it should have come as no surprise to Koraly when she was named as a finalist at the Queensland festival.
But the ever-humble writer, poet and performer, says she actually was shocked but excited.
“I was shocked as I have never been a finalist for a poetry film competition before! I was also excited to draw attention to the beauty of my Cypriot heritage,” she concludes.
If you would like to vote for Koraly, you can do so here. Voting closes on December 2.
