President of ‘Greece 2021’ Committee on the Greek Australian role in bicentennial celebrations

·

President of the ‘Greece 2021’ Committee, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, addressed Greek Australians this evening during The Hellenic Initiative Australia’s second Digital Conversation Series.

The digital talk, which was moderated by Greek Australian journalist, John Mangos, covered a range of topics including the role of Greek Australians in next year’s bicentennial celebrations for Greece’s independence from the Ottomans.

Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki began the talk by speaking proudly of the Greek Australian diaspora and reminiscing over her time in Australia during the Olympic Games in 2000.

“I remember running with the Olympic flame in Australia and I saw the Greek and Australian flags and I was very proud. Australia felt like a home away from home,” Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said.

President of the ‘Greece 2021’ Committee, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, addressed Greek Australians this evening during The Hellenic Initiative Australia’s second Digital Conversation Series. Photo: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

The Ambassador-at-large of the Hellenic Republic went on to say that the ‘Greece 2021’ Committee has received over 1800 event proposals from around the world with 36 from Greek Australians.

“I have about three pages here of proposals from the Greek diaspora in Australia. Events which have been proposed include an exhibition of Greek Australian artists, a Greek Writers Festival, a book launch, and even a photo exhibition,” she says.

“The Greek diaspora in Australia keep the Greek history alive and this is what we want for our 2021 celebrations… You will also be the ones who will put out the message that we are proud Greeks and pass on the torch around the world.”

Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said however, that the Committee is relying on private donations, sponsorships and selling merchandise, such as the 2021 commemorative coin, to make these proposals possible.

“Because of the ten year crisis in Greece, we don’t want state funding. We have a new category of sponsorships where small, medium and large companies in Greece are able to adopt proposals and invest money into them,” she explains.

Regardless of this unique funding method, the question was still raised to Mrs Angelopoulos-Daskalaki about how the events will even go ahead if the coronavirus pandemic is still raging next year.

“We are good organisers. We understand the importance of Plan A, B and C,” she replied. “We have alternative scenarios for each and every event… if something doesn’t happen in March, it can happen in June.”

“In the end, it’s not just one big opening ceremony. The whole year is important. It’s a time to think, reflect, dance and perform.”

RELATED: Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and John Mangos to discuss ‘Greece 2021’ plans at digital THI Australia event.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Over $45,000 raised to make Pontian House accessible for all

A total of $45,476 has been raised by Pontoxeniteas NSW at its Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 to install a platform lift at the Pontian House.

Star Pharmacy Group CEO Peter Piliouras takes on Chemist Warehouse in expansion plan

Peter Piliouras, CEO of Star Pharmacy Group, is aiming to double the group’s chain, taking on industry giant Chemist Warehouse.

Landlord Margarita Constanti Salamakis taken to court as bakery owner fights eviction

Margarita Constanti Salamakis is facing legal action in NSW Supreme Court after issuing an eviction notice to Marrickville bakery Miss Sina.

Mario Alexandridis at centre of Strike Force Candice raids across Sydney

Low-profile entrepreneur Marios Alexandridis has been charged in a major money laundering and unexplained wealth investigation.

SA seafood heir Sarantis Parissos jailed over police hit-and-run

Former professional footballer and seafood heir Sarantis Parissos has been sentenced to over six years in jail after a series of offences.

You May Also Like

Dakos salad takes first place in top 100 world’s best salads list

The Creten salad Dakos has recently taken first place in TasteAtlas’s list of 100 best-rated salads in the world.

‘State hijacking’: Athens-Vilnius flight forced to land in Belarus, journalist arrested

A Ryanair flight from Athens to Lithuanian capital Vilnius was diverted while over Belarus airspace and was forced to land in Minsk.

On This Day: Greek naval forces landed at Moudros in Lemnos during First Balkan War

On this day in 1912, the First Balkan War broke out when Greek naval forces landed at Moudros on the Greek island of Lemnos.