By Thodoris Roussos.
The Australian Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, recently met with Professor Vrasidas Karalis and director Yannis Dramitinos to discuss an exciting new literary initiative aiming to strengthen cultural ties between Australia and Greece.
Titled Etudes Australes, the project is a literary series spearheaded by the Thessaloniki-based Petites-Maisons publishing house. Under Dramitinos’ direction, the series seeks to introduce Greek readers to a diverse range of Australian literature, spanning from historical essays to graphic novels.
The first two books in the series exemplify this cross-cultural exchange. Monster & Colossus by Cassi Plate explores the correspondence between acclaimed Greek writer Costas Taktsis and Australian artist Carl Plate, featuring an introduction by Professor Karalis. This was followed by The Glebe Point Road Blues, authored by Karalis himself, which was launched this January.
During their visit to Greece, Dramitinos and Karalis met with Ambassador Duncan, sharing their vision for the series and discussing upcoming translations set to further enrich the literary dialogue between the two nations. Their work highlights the growing appreciation of Australian literature among Greek readers, reflecting a cultural reciprocity long enjoyed by Greek literature in Australia.
Ambassador Duncan praised the initiative, noting its potential to deepen the literary and cultural connections between the two countries. The project’s success so far underscores the enduring bond between Greek and Australian communities and their shared love of storytelling.
