Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

·

Michel Pablo was the pseudonym for Michalis Raptis, a Greek revolutionary born in Alexandria in 1911. He was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today. He spent his life involved in revolutions around the globe.

During the 1936 military dictatorship of Ioannis Metaxas, Pablo was arrested and exiled to the Aegean island of Folegandros. He later escaped with his future partner, Elly Diovouniotis and ended up in France.

His record of political engagement took him from the anti-Nazi resistance in wartime France to a role supplying weapons to the Algerian independence struggle two decades later. He worked as an adviser for Algeria’s first postcolonial president, Ahmed Ben Bella, and the Chilean socialist government of Salvador Allende. Pablo had a very strong friendship with PASOK leader Andreas Papandreou and was only able to return to his home country Greece after the fall of the military dictatorship in 1974. 

Very early on he was able to recognise the importance of anti-colonial struggles, their global ramifications and their future impact on Western powers. He was a prolific writer regularly providing commentary on global affairs and had a talent for sensing the importance of new developments made him an early supporter of the ecological movement as well as the cause of women’s liberation.

BIO

Hall Greenland is an award-winning Australian journalist, historian and political activist. He was a rider on the Freedom bus in 1965 that helped reignite the struggle for self-determination by Australia’s First Nations and was one of the founders of the Greens in Australia. He has been an elected councillor on inner-city Councils in Sydney, first as a Labor Party candidate and then, after his expulsion from that party, as an independent Green.

He is the author of Red Hot: the life and times of Nick Origlass, which was short-listed for the NSW Premier’s History Prize. He was editor of The Week 2008-2012 and a sub-editor and feature writer on The Bulletin from 1999 to 2008 when he won two Walkleys. He is the author of The Well-Dressed Revolutionary: The Odyssey of Michel Pablo in the Age of Uprisings which was released in 2023.

Event Details:

  • When: Thursday 1 May 2025, 7pm
  • Speaker: Hall Greenland
  • Seminar: The Odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis
  • Where: Greek Centre (Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne)
  • Language: English
  • Sponsor: Kostas Stefanidis
greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Matt Pillios named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year

Star real estate agent Matt Pillios has reclaimed his place at the top, being named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year.

Greek astronomer to present at Melbourne seminar on preserving the stars

For millennia, humanity has looked up in awe at the night sky, finding in its silent beauty a profound source of inspiration.

Historic Plaka landmark from iconic Greek film to be restored

The “Kokovikos House,” is named after the fictional couple in Giorgos Tzavellas’ bittersweet classic starring Konstantinou and Kontou.

Melbourne’s Sunday morning strollers walk, talk and keep Greek alive

On a crisp Sunday morning at Merri Creek, a group of walkers from the Sunday Morning Strollers, winds its way along the leafy green trail.

A sweet favourite: Niki Louca’s authentic baklava recipe

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for baklava with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

Santa photos and family gatherings: Helen Koutulakis Chrysanthou shares Christmas memories

Born and raised in Sydney in the late 1950s to migrant parents Australian Cypriot Helen Koutulakis Chrysanthou shares her Christmas memories.

Greek Australian Peter Boukouvalas to make Olympic archery debut in Paris

Peter Boukouvalas has been selected in the Australian Olympic Team and will make his Olympic debut at Paris’ famed Esplanade des Invalides. 

Meatfare Sunday: A time for reflection and mercy

Meatfare Sunday, observed on the second Sunday before Great Lent, marks the final day for eating meat before the Lenten fast.