Sunday, March 16 at The Pontiaki Estia will be the inaugural meeting of the Euterpe Collective, a network of women working as professionals in Greek music in Melbourne.
Created by singer and instrumentalist, Stavroula Thomopoulos and violinist Katerina Stevens, the first event will be a special music-making session focusing on repertoire from Asia Minor and featuring songs by important female singers of the genre, such as Katerina Papadopoulou, Domna Samiou, Rita Abatzi and Rosa Eskenazi.
Stavroula and Katerina are both members of trio Nea Skoupa, who specialise in Mikrasiatika, the music of Asia Minor and have held a weekly residency at Greek restaurant Odyssey in Elwood for the last year and a half.
Stavroula and Katerina perform a vast range of Greek music genres, Stavroula performing Etexna in her own group and traditional music with band Omados, while Katerina has a focus on Nisiotika and Rebetika with band Anatreptix.
Both women agree that the intention behind this collective is to be a support network for each other, to encourage collaborations and give younger women an opportunity to be mentored by older, more experienced musicians and most importantly to learn from each other.The event is free. For more information contact stav210201@gmail.com or stevens.katerina@gmail.com
The VIP stands at Greek Australian community events tell their own story. Rows of suited men form a sea of leadership that has barely changed in decades, with perhaps a splatter of token women.
“When the wider community sees no women on the stand, they make judgments,” says outgoing MP Maria Vamvakinou, the first Greek-born woman in Australia’s Parliament.
Maria Vamvakinou MP.
The struggle for representation is an old story. Researcher Juliana Charpantidou points out, “When researching The Embodiment of a Distant Homeland and the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), women didn’t appear from its foundation until 1972, though they got to vote in community elections in 1952.”
Ethnographic photographer Effy Alexakis’ research highlights a 1956 program aimed at redressing the gender imbalance among Greek migrants. Between 1957 and 1963, more Greek women than men arrived in Australia, many aboard “bride ships” as prospective wives. By 1981, the ratio of Greek men to women was 106 men for every 100 women. Greek women entered factory work, taught in Greek afternoon schools, or worked as translators. The next generation battled for the right to pursue education and choose their own partners though equality remained elusive.
Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting, NUGAS President, confirms the persistence of tokenism.
Angelica and Miltiadis, the current and former President of Pallaconian Youth.
“Make sure we get the women in the photo, but without acknowledging there is a deeper issue,” she says, frustration evident in her voice.
“When I first started participating in Greek Australian committees, I was disrespected in small ways. ‘Of course, I will help in the kitchen.’ ‘Of course, I’ll take care of the kids.’ ‘Of course, I’ll be the secretary.'”
These “of course” moments carry generations of unspoken expectations.
“It made me feel that I had to do this as a team player, but there were stereotypes that I let slide. It helped me get the higher-up roles, so I can bring change,” Spiliopoulos-Angsiting admits, highlighting the uncomfortable compromises many women make to progress.
Four female presidents revive their clubs – Joanna Angeletos (Lemnos), Eleni Tzimas (Papaflessas), Argyro Pollakis (Kefalonian) and Angelica Spiliopoulos (Pallaconian).
Miltiadis Paikopoulos of the Pallaconian Brotherhood notes an interesting irony: the Greek word for brotherhood (η αδελφότητα) is feminine in the Greek language.
“Angelica is our vice president and was our previous president, and we welcome more women,” he says, adding that conversations about changing the name sometimes surface.
Vamvakinou endorses quotas, pointing to Victoria’s Parliament’s diversity as a positive example.
For Pontians, quotas were never needed. Simela Stamatopoulos of the Australian Federation of Pontian Associations points to the Pontian “attitude”.
Simela Stamatopoulos and Litsa Athanasiadis with former consul general Emmanuel Kakavelakis and their male counterparts.Some gutsy Pontian women known for their leadership
“In the past, some people have commented that Pontian women are stubborn and strong-willed, but this has not been my experience as to why they are accepted in leadership roles,” she says.
“It never even occurred to me that there could be a problem.”
Author Peter Andrinopoulos, who wrote Greek Women of Influence 1821-2021, states, “Women are put in the background, and I think it’s important that there’s equality between the sexes. That’s why I wrote this book.” He dismisses outdated notions: “I remember people saying, ‘Women belong in the kitchen,’ but that idea is long gone.”
20 men and eight women who tell the diaspora’s stories at a Greek Consulate function in their honour.
“We still see pictures of men leading while women are still doing an unfair share of caring, unpaid work. They don’t have time to attend events or pose for photo ops with ministers in the middle of the day,” Varvara points out.
She adds that more women are, however, exploring their Greekness.
Varvara Ioannou and Christina Roma from the Food for Thought Network.
“When the FFTN started, we didn’t see as many women’s day events, and it wasn’t ‘cool’ to be Greek at the time,” she says.
“I kept the name of the organisation gender-neutral to also draw men, because we need allies. The shift needs to come from both men and women,” she adds.
Varvara adds another layer to the discussion, pointing to the “tall poppy syndrome.” She believes women of her generation are more likely to tear each other down.
Sydney Festival, a little bit better, but men outstrip women.
GCM Committee member Spiridoula Demetriou asks the tough question: “How often do women put stumbling blocks in front of women? Let’s face it, why would any sector of society give up power that benefits them? Women also uphold the patriarchy. Perhaps decisively.”
Beyond leadership, Greek Australian women face another unspoken crisis: burnout. Social worker Christina Roma exposes this hidden epidemic.
“The challenge we have with Greek Australian women is that we don’t have enough evidence. I took on eight new counselling patients last month. Same issues: burnout, juggling everything at work and home, and they are dismissed by their partners, families, or society when they want to talk about it,” Christina says.
Pontiaki Estia
The great-granddaughters of the Souliot women who danced off cliffs in defiance of oppression are still fighting their own battles – not with invaders, but with outdated mindsets and even within themselves, balancing sacrifice and obligation with their own need for self-care.
Manta, the stunning waterfront restaurant at Woolloomooloo Wharf, is set to bring the flavours and atmosphere of the Athenian Riviera to Sydney with an exclusive two-week dining experience featuring acclaimed Greek chef Ntinos Fotinakis.
Running from 21 March to 6 April, the “A Taste of Greece” takeover will transport guests to a lively Mediterranean taverna, offering an immersive celebration of Greek hospitality, fresh local produce, and masterful culinary techniques.
Fotinakis, executive chef of the renowned Bungalow 7 at One&Only Aesthesis in Athens, has worked alongside Heston Blumenthal and trained under Michelin-starred chef Jacques Le Divellec.
At Manta, he will personally greet guests, present surprise dishes, and add tableside finishing touches, ensuring an intimate and authentic Greek dining experience.
Inspired by Manta’s focus on premium land and sea produce, the menus will showcase Fotinakis’ signature fusion of Greek tradition and modern techniques.
The à la carte and set menus will feature a variety of mezze, including moussaka croquettes, taramasalata with smoked yuzu, and spanakorizo (Greek spinach and rice) gyoza. Large plates will offer slow-cooked lamb shoulder, short rib pasta, and snapper with potato skordalia and cherry tomato salad. A standout dish is the signature Astakomakaronada, featuring live eastern rock lobster with linguine, tomato, and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
Complementing the cuisine, the drinks list will highlight the finest Greek offerings, including handcrafted ouzo and mastiha cocktails, as well as native Assyrtiko and Moschofilero wine varietals.
This exclusive dining collaboration will be available for lunch and dinner daily throughout the two-week takeover. With limited availability, guests are encouraged to secure their reservations early.
The 2025 ranking of the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops has been announced, featuring exceptional cafés from across the globe. Among them, a Greek coffee shop secured a prestigious spot, highlighting Greece’s rich coffee culture, according to yahoo.com.
Ranked 15th in the world, Kross Coffee Roaster in Crete stood out for its dedication to high-quality beans and expertly crafted brews. Known for its passion for specialty coffee, Kross has gained a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.
Australia also made a strong impression, with Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters in Sydney earning the top spot. Founded in 1997, Toby’s is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and ethically sourced beans, making its flagship café in Chippendale a must-visit.
This year’s list showcases the best of global coffee culture, recognizing cafés that excel in quality, innovation, and ethical sourcing.
U.S. sanctions have reduced Russia’s reliance on “shadow fleet” tankers, but Moscow continues to generate about $700 million daily from fossil fuel exports. A key reason is the renewed participation of Greek tanker owners, who have become vital in transporting Russian crude, especially to India and Turkey, according to Vortexa.
“Preliminary February data is showing Russian crude volumes carried by Greek operators at a 12-month high,” said Mary Melton, a senior freight analyst at Vortexa. “Russian crude exports to India and Turkey will need to be offered below the price cap so that Greek operators can facilitate these volumes.”
With Russian Urals crude now trading below $60 per barrel, Western tankers can legally transport it. This discount is essential, as the U.S. sanctioned 183 Russia-linked vessels in January, targeting about a third of Russia’s shadow fleet, which had helped bypass shipping restrictions.
Despite sanctions, Russian energy revenues have remained stable since 2023. Seaborne crude oil revenues surged 13% in January, reaching $240 million daily, per the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). China remains Russia’s largest buyer, with a focus on maintaining ESPO crude shipments from the Russian Far East.
Shadow fleet tankers carried 84% of Russia’s seaborne crude in January, but by February, Greek operators had gained a larger share. “These Greek-operated vessels have migrated out of mostly Atlantic Basin trade,” Melton noted, potentially tightening Aframax tanker supply and raising earnings in that region.
New groups of catechumens from villages across the Iringa region gathered at the Kindamali Mission Center in Tanzania to receive Holy Baptism.
It was a joyful day, with children and adults beaming under the sun as they embraced their faith.
Bishop Agathonikos of Arusha and Central Tanzania welcomed the newly baptised into the Orthodox Church, offering them guidance on their spiritual journey.
A significant presence of Maasai people was observed, as many from the community have embraced Orthodoxy.
Most Maasai families living near the Mission Center are now part of the Church, reflecting their growing enthusiasm and deep connection to the faith.
Crete’s frescoes are a vital yet overlooked part of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art.
This lecture covers three main topics: (1) presenting five churches that form part of Olympia Nelson’s recent fieldwork research in the Kandano-Selinou region, (2) their iconographic programmes and stylistic trends and (3) the challenges and rewards of conducting fieldwork on the island.
Despite their beauty, many of these churches remain marginalised in art history. Integrating them into the canon allows us to enjoy the richness of the Eastern Mediterranean and its visual traditions.
Engaging with these sites—through fieldwork, scholarship, preservation, conversation and even social media—keeps these hallowed spaces alive in historical memory.
While primarily iconographic, the lecture situates these works within Olympia’s broader investigation of emotion in Byzantium.
BIO:
Olympia is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Modern Greek & Byzantine Studies at the University of Sydney and the Early Career Researcher Representative for the Australasian Association for Byzantine Studies. Through visual art and literature, her research examines emotion in Eastern medieval contexts including gender, monasticism and dietary practices. By tracing these expressions, her work offers new perspectives on how Byzantines performed and regulated emotion in sacred and everyday life.
Event Details:
When: Thursday 13 March 2025, 7pm
Speaker: Olympia Nelson
Seminar: Cretan Churches and their emotional echoes: 14th century frescoes of Kantanos-Selino
Where: Greek Centre (Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne)
A song by the renowned Greek singer Nana Mouskouri, “Guten Morgen Sonnenschein,” has taken the digital music platforms by storm, gaining immense popularity on services like Deezer, Spotify, and Apple Music, cnn.gr has reported.
This unexpected resurgence is due to the new German sci-fi series “Cassandra” on Netflix, which has turned the song into one of the most talked-about viral sensations in recent days.
In the series’ plot, a mysterious artificial intelligence controls a robot with a television screen for a head. This robot holds a family captive in a world filled with mystery and technological challenges.
Throughout the show, the robot plays various old hits, including “Guten Morgen Sonnenschein.” The song is featured repeatedly in key moments, creating a nostalgic and emotional atmosphere that captivates viewers.
This phenomenon is reminiscent of the revival of “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, which gained newfound fame and recognition after being featured in the hit series “Stranger Things.”
A similar effect seems to be happening with “Guten Morgen Sonnenschein,” which, despite being released decades ago, has once again captured the audience’s love, climbing the charts and resonating with a new generation of listeners.
The inclusion of this song in “Cassandra” highlights how music, regardless of its era, can shape contemporary pop culture and connect with younger audiences through digital platforms.
The name of Elon Musk’s newest child appears to reflect his vision for a lean and militant government. Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis announced on X that she welcomed her fourth child with Musk, a son named Seldon Lycurgus, marking Musk’s 14th known child.
Zilis shared the news while celebrating the birthday of their youngest daughter, Arcadia. “In light of beautiful Arcadia’s birthday, we felt it was better to also just share directly about our wonderful and incredible son Seldon Lycurgus. Built like a juggernaut, with a solid heart of gold. Love him so much,” she wrote.
The name Seldon is likely inspired by Hari Seldon, the fictional mathematician in Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. Seldon is known for developing “psychohistory,” a mathematical approach to predicting and shaping civilization’s future.
Lycurgus, on the other hand, references the legendary Spartan lawmaker credited with establishing Sparta’s militaristic and disciplined way of life. His reforms emphasized endurance, social order, and eugenics-like ideals, promoting procreation as a societal duty.
Greek historian Xenophon wrote that Lycurgus believed “motherhood to be the most important function of freeborn women” and that both men and women should undergo rigorous physical training to produce “more vigorous offspring.”
The premiere of the theatrical production “Opou Gis Kai Patris 2” took place on Thursday, February 6, at the Hellenic Art Theatre in Marrickville, Sydney, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The theatre production is part of this year’s Greek Festival of Sydney program and will run until Sunday, March 9.
The play, rich in humorous dialogues, compelling interactions, and heartfelt monologues, explores the desires, struggles, and achievements of migrants.
With remarkable performances that received enthusiastic applause, the production captivated the audience from start to finish.
A must-see production:
The play delves into the themes of identity, belonging, and the unbreakable ties to one’s heritage, all brought to life by the talented duo Stamatis Tzelepis and Elena Tsefala from Greece, and accompanied by Greek Australian actors John Daviskas, Lucy Miller and Nicholas Miralis.
The show’s author Konstantinos Kalymnios, along with a dedicated creative team, has crafted a sequel that builds upon the emotional foundation set in the first production, further enhancing the narrative with compelling storylines and unforgettable performances.
Audiences will experience many powerful moments throughout the play, including Tsefala’s expressive narration about Greece’s remarkable history, its heroic and intellectual achievements, and the injustices it has suffered—particularly the countless stolen works of art created by its ancient ancestors, now scattered across foreign lands.
This engaging and humorous production combines historical reflection with lighthearted comedy, making it a must-see for audiences. Following its run in Sydney, the play will also be staged in Melbourne, as part of the events organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM).
