There are periods in the eventful history of a place when a decisive leap is required in order to escape the wear left behind by the past. Times when inertia amounts to retreat, as developments overtake those who fail to redefine their direction in time.
Today, Florina is in a period of transition. The move away from lignite-based activity, the search for a new productive model, and the need for greater outward engagement together create a demanding framework for local government.
It is within this context that the forthcoming visit of the Mayor of Florina, Vasilis Giannakis, to Australia will take place, from 15 to 31 January 2026.
The tour of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Shepparton (the Victorian city twinned with Florina since 1977) will not be limited to ceremonial engagements. On the contrary, it forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties with the diaspora, which the Municipality of Florina views as an active partner in shaping the region’s future.
Particular significance is attached to the joint presence of the Mayor with His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaios of Florina, Prespes and Eordaia, at a time when efforts to reopen the Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi serve as a point of reference for spiritual and social cohesion.
At the same time, the triptych of education – culture – tourism constitutes the core axis of the post-lignite strategy, recently reinforced symbolically through Florina’s international recognition as a leading mountain destination.
Ultimately, the visit to Australia reflects a conscious choice, as the Mayor Giannakis reveals in his interview with The Greek Herald, given just hours before embarking on the long journey.
The transition ahead, he explains, must be supported by memory, cooperation and the trust of the people of Florina — wherever they may live, in Greece, Australia or elsewhere in the world.
What does your forthcoming visit to Australia signify for you personally and for the Municipality of Florina, and what key objectives have you set for this tour?
First of all, I would like to warmly thank you for the invitation and the hospitality of The Greek Herald. My forthcoming visit to Australia carries for me a special, deeply personal, yet at the same time profoundly substantive character.
Meeting Greeks — and especially Florinians of the diaspora — is always an emotional experience. These are people who, although they live and create far from their homeland, keep Florina alive within them and never cease to honour their place of origin.
This trip, which I am undertaking together with His Eminence, has very specific objectives. We aim to renew and strengthen the bonds between the Municipality of Florina, our local community, and the Greek diaspora of Australia. We want to engage closely with its associations and organisations, meet with institutional representatives such as the General Consulate, the local Church and local government authorities, and open an honest dialogue about how we can cooperate more closely.
I would also like to make special reference to our efforts — led by His Eminence — to reopen the Holy Church of Saint Paraskevi in Florina, which suffered serious damage during the earthquake of 9 January 2022. One of the main purposes of our visit is to inform the diaspora, which showed great enthusiasm from the very beginning regarding the progress of the restoration works. With its valuable support, we hope the church — an emblematic spiritual and pilgrimage landmark of Florina — will once again open its doors, continuing its history and tradition for generations to come.
In summary, we seek to highlight Florina as a place of deep historical memory, rich cultural and spiritual heritage, and genuine modern development potential. Our aim is to lay the foundations for cultural, social and institutional collaborations that keep the diaspora’s connection to its homeland alive and build bridges of communication, particularly for younger generations.
As part of your visit, you plan to travel to Shepparton, Florina’s sister city since 1977. How important does this relationship remain today, and how can it be given renewed, contemporary meaning?
Over time, the Municipality of Florina has developed a strong network of sister-city relationships, extending from Canada to Australia. The heart of Florinians around the world continues to beat strongly, and it is our duty — and my personal commitment — to ensure that this network functions not merely symbolically, but as a dynamic vehicle for openness, cooperation and ongoing communication.
Within this framework lies Florina’s relationship with Shepparton — a long-standing twinning rooted primarily in the human bonds of Florinian migrants who settled in the area and maintained close ties with their homeland. It is a relationship of deep emotional and historical value.
Today, there is scope to explore realistic and measured ways of renewing this connection, through targeted collaborations or exchanges of experience. I follow with interest certain initiatives undertaken by the Shepparton municipal authority, particularly in the areas of youth engagement and entrepreneurship. Where feasible, I believe there are opportunities to give this twinning a more contemporary dimension, while respecting its history and the real capacities of both municipalities.
Meetings with diaspora organisations are a key part of your visit. What do you hope to gain from engaging with Greeks in Australia, and what role can the diaspora play in supporting local development?
Diaspora organisations are living hubs of culture and among the most effective ambassadors of Hellenic values across the globe. Personally, I am deeply moved whenever I meet their representatives in person or watch videos of events, dances and activities that keep Greek heritage, tradition and historical memory alive — even thousands of kilometres from the homeland.
Above all, I hope for an open and honest dialogue. I want to listen to the thoughts, ideas and concerns of Greeks in Australia, and especially Florinians of the diaspora, so that our relationship is not one-sided but open and reciprocal. The experience, knowledge and passion they possess represent invaluable capital for our region.
The role of the diaspora in supporting local development can be decisive. Through the transfer of best practice, networking, strengthening Florina’s outward orientation, and supporting cultural, educational and social initiatives, the diaspora can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Together, we can design initiatives that bring generations closer, empower young people, and transform nostalgia for the homeland into a creative force for our shared future.
Beyond symbolism, are there specific areas — such as culture, education or tourism — where you see real scope for cooperation between Florina and the four Australian cities you will visit?
The Municipality of Florina is currently in a critical phase of transition, moving away from a lignite-dependent model and towards new, sustainable development opportunities. Along this path, the triptych of education – culture – tourism forms the cornerstone of our vision for the future.
As a Municipal Authority, we are implementing a consistent and comprehensive place-branding strategy, connecting our cultural heritage with our tourism offering to shape an authentic, modern and sustainable identity. Encouraging signs are already evident: Florina was recently awarded Best Mountain Destination in Greece by the Greek National Tourism Organisation at the World Travel Market exhibition held last November in London.
Within this context, cooperation with the dynamic communities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Shepparton is not only possible but highly promising. The diaspora can serve as a strategic ally in strengthening Florina as both a cultural and tourism destination. At the same time, in the field of education, we aim to develop partnerships with educational and academic institutions, deepening the connection of diaspora youth with the Greek language, history and their place of origin.
Our goal is for these collaborations to be practical, long-term and meaningful. This visit to Australia represents a substantive step in that direction — linking Florina’s vision for the future with its people, wherever they may live.
How can local government ensure that international contacts lead to practical exchanges of experience and best practice that benefit citizens?
Local government today operates in a far more complex and demanding environment than in the past. International contacts must move beyond ceremonial gestures and translate into practical exchanges of experience and best practice, delivering tangible benefits for citizens. This requires planning, continuity and meaningful institutional cooperation.
Since 2019, when my fellow citizens first entrusted me with the office of Mayor, I have prioritised the active connection between the Municipality of Florina and Florinians around the world, firmly believing that our potential extends beyond geographical boundaries.
In practical terms, this means structured partnerships, knowledge exchange and joint initiatives in areas such as education, culture, social policy and local development. It also means drawing on the diaspora’s experience in modern governance models, innovation and the management of complex social challenges.
In an era marked by geopolitical shifts, energy uncertainty and global crises, local communities must become more resilient and outward-looking. Local government can — and must — act as a force for stability, cooperation and “soft diplomacy”, using international relationships to strengthen social cohesion and everyday life.
This is our aim in Florina: to turn international engagement into tangible outcomes that enhance quality of life and strengthen our communities in an uncertain world.
Finally, what message would you like to send to Greek Australians — particularly those of Florinian origin — who follow developments in their homeland with interest?
Above all, I wish to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to them for upholding the ideals and values of Hellenism and passing them on with dedication from generation to generation, unchanged across time and distance.
I want our compatriots of Florinian origin to know that we do not forget them — just as I am certain they do not forget us. The love with which they keep the memory of the homeland alive moves us, inspires us and fills us with pride.
They should know that the Municipality of Florina regards them as an active and inseparable part of its identity, and I hope that through our work we will make them proud.
Florina — this sacred land of Macedonia — remains their home, and everyone is always welcome.
