A thought-provoking symposium titled ‘Encounters of Transformation: Intercultural Relations between Greek and Indigenous Australians’ was held on Saturday, June 7, at UNSW in Sydney, drawing together scholars, artists, and community voices to explore the multifaceted ties between Greek and Indigenous Australians.
Jointly organised by the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney and the UNSW School of Humanities & Languages, with support from the UNSW Foundation for Hellenic Studies and the Hellenic Society of UNSW (Hellsoc), the event highlighted intersections across literature, visual arts, sociopolitical advocacy, and cultural self-representation.
The symposium featured academic presentations from figures including Dr Petro Alexiou, Effy Alexakis and Leonard Janiszewski, Daphne Arapakis, and Dr Vassilios Adrahtas.
Two roundtable discussions enriched the program, bringing together Greek and Indigenous writers, artists, and community leaders for deeper dialogue.
Attendees also viewed an accompanying exhibition by emerging Greek visual artist Christina Tsaou, whose work draws inspiration from Indigenous art.
The event provided an important platform for intercultural reflection, aiming to foster mutual understanding and ongoing dialogue between the Greek and Indigenous Australian communities.
