The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) shined a spotlight on the Greek Civil War with a lecture from visiting academic Dr Michail Bakogiannis, assessing the significance of the event and the enduring influence it has on Greek literature.
The lecture, titled ‘The Greek Civil War in Greek Prose’, was organised in partnership with the Department of Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies at the University of Sydney, as part of an important initiative led by Professor Anthony Dracopoulos. It was held at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba on Thursday evening (21 August).
Dr Bakogiannis, an Associate Professor of Modern Greek Literature at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, highlighted this significant period in Greece’s history and the academic and artistic literature that has been produced in relation to it.
Associate Professor Bakogiannis said he considers it “a pleasure and honour to come here when I can and to take part in events organised by the Community”.
Addressing the subject of his lecture, Dr Bakogiannis stated: “This topic is of interest because it has to do with a very difficult historical event in Greece that is still felt by Hellenes around the world. Wherever there is a Greek community there is a sense of trauma linked to this event.”
He stated that people born in the generations following the Civil War still feel the trauma, as evidenced by how it has and continues to inspire literature.
“People in Greece still write about the Civil War. They still discuss it both academically and artistically,” Dr Bakogiannis said.
“Therefore, it is not a topic that just pertains to the past, but also to present day.”
Among those in attendance was the newly appointed Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Giorgos Skemperis, who attended the lecture less than 24 hours after arriving in Sydney.
The Consul General expressed enthusiasm over continuing the strong relationship between the Consulate and the Community that has been cultivated over the years.
“I know that the Consulate has a very good corporation and relationship with the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, and I am very glad and excited to continue on this path and be as close as possible with the Community and the Greeks in Sydney,” the diplomat said.
“I think we will be able to do very important things with the Greek Orthodox Community for the benefit of Greek Australians and our mother country of Greece.”
Following the lecture, the GOCNSW treasurer Chris Belerhas presented Dr. Bakogiannis with a gift as a token of appreciation for his contribution.
