The Greek Festival of Sydney has announced it will be hosting economist, politician and bestselling author Yanis Varoufakis, in conversation with Walkley award winning journalist and filmmaker Dr Helen Vatsikopoulos.
On Friday, March 6, visit the NSW Teacher’s Federation Conference Centre, Surry Hills for a discussion on democracy, the creeping rise of fascism, and Varoufakis’ recent book ‘Raise Your Soul’.
In his new book ‘Raise Your Soul’, readers are shown a different, more personal side of Varoufakis through the stories of five powerful women who changed his life.
‘Raise Your Soul’ provides a deeply heartbreaking, funny and enraging portrait of ordinary Greeks living through some of the most tumultuous events of the 20th century, including World War II, the Greek Junta dictatorship, and the Greek civil war.
Despite these profound challenges, Varoufakis lovingly shows how these extraordinary women found hope for themselves and their family through resistance against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Varoufakis rose to global fame during his time as Greece’s finance minister, during some of the direst points of the Greek financial crisis of the 2010s. Since then, Varoufakis has published several bestselling books, including ‘Adults in the Room’ (2017) and ‘Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism’ (2023), and has started his own pro-democratic, pan-European political party, MeRA25.
Festival Director Tilda Sikes is thrilled to have Yanis Varoufakis speaking at the 44th festival.
“Varoufakis continues to be a figure that is at once polarising and engaging. He’s always at the frontlines of big, era-defining ideas and I’m sure the audience – myself included – will be interested to hear more of his thoughts on these matters,” she said.
Tickets will go quickly for this conversation between two of the global Greek community’s most distinguished intellectuals – don’t miss out!
Event Details:
- What: Yanis Varoufakis in conversation with Dr Helen Vatsikopoulos.
- Date: Friday, 6 March 2026
- Location: NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre – 37 Reservoir St, Surry Hills.
- Time: Doors open at 7pm, start time 7:30pm.
- Tickets: $35 general admission. Buy tickets here.
