Creative sparks flew at Alphington Grammar as Melbourne launched its preparations for World Greek Language Day, to be celebrated annually on February 9. The UNESCO-recognised date coincides with the birthday of Dionysios Solomos, poet of the Greek national anthem.
The first working-group meeting, called by Professor Anastasios Tamis, set an energetic, almost electric tone – one that made clear this wasn’t a committee starting from scratch.
Professor Tamis had already held preliminary discussions with award-winning Melbourne-born composer Nestor Taylor, electronic-classical visionary Apostolos Bogas, and Ioanna Nikoloulea of the Psaltries Choir of Melbourne, laying the artistic foundations long before the working group even stepped into the room.
A vision with cultural weight
From the outset, Professor Tamis outlined an ambitious plan, one where half the audience would be non-Greeks, ensuring Greek language is celebrated as a global cultural asset.
“I’ve already reached out to non-Greek academics and intellectuals, as well as linguists and experts from Greece,” he told the room, adding that 5 to 10 Philhellenes will also be honoured with awards during the evening.
He painted a vivid picture of the night. He envisioned orchestral works of composers Manolis Kalomiris and Nikos Skalkottas. Others chimed in with ideas for a joint children’s choir from Melbourne’s Greek schools singing Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis. A strong emphasis was placed on involving children and schools, with proposals for student choirs and classroom activities in the lead-up.
An actor is being sought for a dramatic reading inspired by Odysseas Elytis’ Nobel Banquet speech of 10 December 1979, a speech glowing with the poet’s pride in being Greek. Costas Mandylor, are you listening?
“You can’t celebrate Greek language without culture,” Professor Tamis reminded everyone, a sentiment echoed by academic Anna Hatzinikolaou, who declared: “Greek language is culture!”
Around the table, representatives from dozens of Greek organisations nodded, united in the understanding that this event could shape how Greek identity is presented in Australia for years to come.
Seeking a venue
The first major question was the venue. The Hellenic Museum has offered to host around 220 attendees, though renovations may affect availability. If it falls through, the National Gallery of Victoria is being considered as a spectacular alternative.
“If you know a better venue, let us know,” Professor Tamis said. “This must be a sacred and ambitious event. We have a duty to Greek language.”
The date debate and diplomacy
Greek Consul General in Melbourne Dimitra Georgantzoglou was not present at the Alphington Grammar working group meeting but will host a celebration on February 20, noting schools wouldn’t be open on the 9th.
“But it is like saying we will celebrate Easter whenever we want,” Professor Tamis objected.
Fifis said: “We can have more events and celebrate whenever we want.”
Professor Tamis agreed, but insisted February 9, UNESCO’s designated date, should not be ignored.
“This is a matter of principle, not convenience,” he stated firmly, but agreed that language should be celebrated the full year-round, reminding also that Speak Greek in March would keep the momentum alive.
The meeting brought together an impressive cross-section of Melbourne’s Greek ecosystem: representatives of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Pharos, the Modern Greek Teachers Association of Melbourne and Victoria, Cypriot groups, AHEPA, school networks, cultural groups, philhellenic academics, and community leaders. Interstate groups sent messages of support, signalling national interest.
A temporary five-member committee will soon be formed to lock in the venue, with Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis already expressing willingness to serve. People in the room volunteered Dr Maria Herodotou, academic and researcher, to preside, though the creation of the committee was then pushed forward to the next meeting in December.
Subcommittees are already underway and are working on music options to fill the program, while others set to work creating communications material, including a dedicated webpage.
A shared spark
The mood in the room was unmistakable: high energy, clear purpose, and a sense of responsibility. This was not just another community event, but a declaration that Greek language, in all its historical depth and global resonance, deserves a celebration of equal magnitude.
And if the creative fire on display at Alphington Grammar is any indication, Melbourne is well on its way to delivering exactly that.
To find out more or express support, email nickp@mokafoods.com.au or anastasios.tamis@aims.edu.au
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.
