Insight or Perspective: What makes us Greek and how Greek really are you?

·

By Eleni Elefterias

Following on from last week. There is a lot of silence surrounding ethnicity in Northern Greece.

Many of us Australian born Greeks may not have picked up on this until our later years.

Some of us, whose parents were born in Greek Macedonia or who may have originated from the area, are surprised to find out the fluidity of the area and the many ethnicities and language groups who lived in the area for hundreds of years side by side with Greek, Albanian, Bulgarian, various Slavic speaking peoples, Jewish, Muslim and Orthodox Christina mix in Greek Macedonia.

There have always been border issues in the area and skirmishes and many historical bad memories because of all the wars and bloodshed in the area ie. Balkan Wars, World Wars, population exchanges, various political State enforced assimilation policies where even place names were changed from Slavic to Greek names. Of course, you may say in ancient times it was a Greek area. Agreed. Alexander the Great was Greek and only Greek. Agreed. But we cannot deny these peoples existence in the area in Modern times.

I recently read a book, not published yet, about a well-known journalist from “Greek” background who at the age of 39 found out her family were not greek at all but slavic who became assimilated into the Greek culture.

I will add a spanner here and say that “Greek culture” isn’t necessarily only Greek. After all we share music, dances, food, attitudes, traditional costumes and even humour with cultures we live side by side with.  Are we comfortable with accepting this? Why not?

One thing I have noticed in my research on ethnicity and Identity. It is those who feel the greatest uneasiness about where they come from and where they belong that feel the need to hold on to an artificial or even forged history of their nation.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Tahlia Kokkinis: The Greek Australian tennis prodigy aiming for new heights

At just 16, Tahlia-Archontoula Kokkinis is making waves in the world of tennis. With remarkable talent, dedication and steadfast commitment.

Greek Community rallies to save cultural landmark in Sydney Olympic Park

The campaign to preserve Sydney Olympic Park’s Stockroute Park and its iconic Discobolus sculpture has gained further momentum.

“Cretan music is in our blood” – Xylourides bring their raw sound to Sydney

The Greek Herald recently spoke with Nikos Xylouris, one-third of the Cretan folk trio Xylourides, ahead of their Sydney performance.

Mytilenian house in Sydney becomes home to Eremea Services in a heartfelt community launch

The Mytilenian House in Canterbury has officially become a new hub for Eremea services, marking a significant milestone in aged care.

Paul Nicolaou urges NSW Government to fast-track Barangaroo development

Business Sydney's Paul Nicolaou has called on the NSW Government to quickly approve plans for the long-delayed Barangaroo commercial hub.

You May Also Like

Greek Australian woman to miss father’s funeral due to border restrictions

A Melbourne woman will miss her father's funeral in Adelaide on Wednesday after repeatedly being rejected to travel.

Sydney mechanic Mark Daskalakis convicted over misleading inspections

Mechanic Mark Daskalakis, from Sydney's west has been fined for producing fraudulent pink slips for vehicles and fabricating brake tests.

Greek leaders call for peace in Jerusalem as violence and tension escalates

In a statement this morning, the Greek Foreign Ministry has expressed its 'deep concern' over the violence in Jerusalem in recent days.