Greece’s President, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, has sent a message of unity to Greek diaspora across the world to mark the 201st anniversary of the start of the Greek Revolution today.
In her message, Sakellaropoulou praised the Greek diaspora and Philhellenes for their “decisive” role in the liberation of Greece from the Ottomans and made reference to specific Revolution figures such as Rigas Feraios and Adamantios Korais.
The Greek President also stressed the importance of continuing to fight for “the values of democracy and respect for man, the defence of the rule of law [and] the peaceful coexistence of peoples…”
Η απελευθέρωση της Καλαμάτας στις 23 Μαρτίου 1821 από τον οθωμανικό ζυγό αποτελεί μοναδική στιγμή της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης. Το μαχητικό πνεύμα και τα ιδανικά των αγωνιστών μας καθοδηγούν και σήμερα, στους δύσκολους αυτούς καιρούς, στην προάσπιση της εθνικής μας ανεξαρτησίας. pic.twitter.com/YmBIBb7yU5
Sakellaropoulou then turned to the recent Ukraine – Russia crisis and stressed how the Greek community in Ukraine “is in our thoughts, as it’s going through a trying time and is suffering the hardships of war.”
She pointed out that the idea for Greece’s struggle for independence from Ottoman rule was nurtured in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, “while the revolution was sparked in the heroic city of Mariupol, where a ‘little Greece’ became prosperous on the Sea of Azov.”
“Greece is standing by the Greeks in Ukraine,” Sakellaropoulou said.
Western leaders showcased their unity against Russia’s war in Ukraine on Thursday, with Washington seeking more military aid for Kyiv, NATO assigning more troops to its eastern flank and London imposing fresh sanctions against Moscow.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called on NATO, EU and G7 countries all meeting in Brussels on Thursday to help Kyiv fight the invasion, which has killed thousands and driven a quarter of Ukraine’s 44 million people from their homes.
“We agreed to strengthen our deterrence and defence for the longer-term. We also agreed to give further support to Ukraine and to continue to impose costs on Russia,” NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said after the leaders gathered at the Western military alliance’s headquarters.
According to Ekathimerini, NATO agreed on Thursday to set up four new combat units in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. More jets will be deployed.
This announcement comes as leaders from the 27-nations of the European Union also attend a European Council meeting in Brussels today.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is at the meeting and spoke to reporters outside about Ukraine and the need for a common EU strategy on natural gas procurement.
Η Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση έχει καταθέσει πρόταση σχετικά με την επιβολή ενός πλαφόν στις τιμές του φυσικού αερίου, στη χονδρεμπορική αγορά, έτσι ώστε με αυτόν τον τρόπο να μπορούν να συμπιεστούν και οι τιμές ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας. #EUCOpic.twitter.com/61YJ9d5HTj
“It is very clear that the crisis in Ukraine has a very significant impact on world energy prices, natural gas prices and, of course, electricity prices, and this applies to all European citizens and all European businesses,” Mitsotakis said.
“All member states, to the best of their ability, support businesses and households through the national budgets. But that will not be enough. We need a coordinated European response.”
The Greek Prime Minister said he will bring to the attention of EU leaders the Greek government’s proposal “regarding the imposition of a ceiling on gas prices in the wholesale market so that both electricity prices and the wholesale gas market can be cut and the market not be a hostage to speculators but meet real supply and demand.”
“At the same time, we support the need for the EU to be able to buy gas as a supranational entity and to negotiate with gas suppliers as one, both for gas coming through pipelines or liquefied natural gas, in order to further reduce prices,” Mitsotakis added.
“We will support this position because we believe that this way we will be able to leverage our purchasing power and further de-escalate gas prices.”
EU leaders are expected to agree at their summit to jointly buy gas, and Brussels also hopes for a deal with Biden to secure additional US liquefied natural gas supplies.
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has issued a message to Greek communities across the country to mark Greek Independence Day today.
In his message, Mr Morrison reminisces about last year’s bicentenary celebrations for the Greek Revolution which saw sites and monuments across Australia lit up in blue and white, and also thanks “the generations of Greek Australians who have given so much to advance our great nation.”
The city of Elefsina, just outside of Athens, and Adelaide, South Australia have both been placed on the “Smart Communities of the Year” list just released by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).
The ICF is a global network whose mission is to help communities in the digital age find a new path to economic and community development. They aim to create inclusive prosperity, tackle social challenges, and enrich quality of life for all.
Elefsina was included on the 2022 list for their dedication to emerging technologies and constantly promoting innovation. The city has submitted an action and funding plan for over 1.5 million euros.
“This distinction recognizes the progress that Elefsina has made in recent years and our strong will to use new technologies and promote innovation for the benefit of citizens,” said Mayor of Elefsina, Argyris Oikonomou.
Walking into the Sydney studio of Australian ‘Lego Classicist,’ Pop-Artist and Historical Archivist, Liam D. Jensen, is like stepping into an exciting alternate universe.
To my right, is a shelf filled with family photos, historical books and artworks of ancient ruins. To my left, is an entire wall dedicated to Liam’s custom-designed LEGO figures including three related to the Greek Revolution – General Theodoros Kolokotronis, Alexandros Mavrokordatos and Lord Byron.
Standing amongst it all is Liam himself with a huge smile, welcoming handshake and kind offer of Greek shortbread if I ever get hungry during our interview.
Liam’s wall of custom-designed LEGO figures. All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.Liam’s LEGO figures of Kolokotronis, Mavrokordatos and Lord Byron.They are proudly on display in his studio.
The Australian Lego Classicist’s strong connection to Greece:
My first contact with Liam was back in March 2021 when he was asked by the Director of The British School at Athens, Professor John Bennett, to create one-off LEGO figures of Kolokotronis, Mavrokordatos and Lord Byron to mark the Greek Revolution bicentenary.
This year though, Liam says he wanted to make his Greek Revolution collection more ‘equal and inclusive’ and so decided to immortalise three Greek heroines in LEGO as well.
They are: Greek naval commander Laskarina Bouboulina, Greek patriot and commander Manto Mavrogenous, and the lesser-known ‘Bouboulina of Thrace’ Domna Visvizi.
Bouboulina, Mavrogenous and Visvizi have been added to Liam’s collection.The creation process for the LEGO figures.
One glance at this specific selection of female heroines makes it clear that Liam has a strong knowledge and passion for Ancient Greece and its history. But where does it all come from?
He tells me it stems back to his childhood.
“I grew up with it. My mother’s passionate about Greece… and she’s an ancient history teacher as well,” Liam says, while explaining how his mother was ‘medically retired’ but received a new lease on life by donating art collections relating to the ancient world back to academic institutions.
“So at an intellectual level, that’s definitely inspired me but it goes much deeper than that too. When I was six years old, we packed up our bags as an entire family to move to Greece permanently.
“We were trying to put down proper routes there but we just didn’t quite have the financial resources to kind of just get it done. In the end, it was such an intense six months.”
Liam has a strong connection to Greece. He holds a photo here of his time on the Greek island of Naxos.
Creating his LEGO heroines:
It’s this intense love for both ancient and modern Greece which Liam has channelled into his LEGO figures of Bouboulina, Mavrogenous and Visvizi.
Each Greek Revolution figure is meticulously researched and digitally designed to ensure they adhere to the first rule in Liam’s ‘Lego Classicist’ Manifesto – making them ‘feel’ like the heroine rather than making them ‘look’ like the heroine.
Bouboulina’s ferocious, calm and ‘not to be crossed’ face is based off the famous oil painting of her that hangs in the National Museum of History in Athens. Being the most well-known out of the three heroines meant she was easier to create.
Liam in his studio.
Mavrogenous and Visvizi were a different matter altogether.
“Mavrogenous was an interesting challenge as she is such an important and strong person but the way she used her influences in greater society to support the war was so subtle,” Liam explains.
“It’s very hard to portray that through the medium of Lego, but I wanted to show a face that seemed approachable on the surface yet had strong intelligence internally and be someone you should never cross.
Liam meticulously designs each LEGO figure. He’s working on Visvizi here.Bouboulina design.
“Visvizi is personally my favourite, both the person and the Lego Portrait. She is a lesser-known woman in the history of this war and so it’s much harder to find images.
“But the one engraving I did find reminded me of a swashbuckling pirate in her dress… so in the end that was the feel I went for: strong and passionate with an enthusiasm ready for a sea battle.”
With that said, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more accurate artistic representation of Bouboulina, Mavrogenous and Visvizi, and just in time to celebrate the anniversary of the Greek Revolution as well!
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Federal Member for Reid, Fiona Martin MP, has always been incredibly proud of her Greek heritage and strives to find out more about it every day.
That’s why for Greek Independence Day this year, we asked Dr Martin to share with The Greek Herald her thoughts on the national day and on her Greek ethnicity more broadly.
1. What does March 25 mean to you?
March 25 is a day where we thank those that came before us. It’s about honouring our ancestors for the great sacrifices made to gain independence for Greece.
2. What do you remember as a child growing up?
I never had the chance to meet my late pappou (Mark Barbouttis). He passed away before I was born in a tragic car accident. He emigrated to Australia in 1926 and I’ve heard from family members who remember him that he was kind and smart. He was also described as a leader, a family man with a community spirit. He was a small business owner (he owned a milk bar), he became an Alderman and trained in the Australian Air Force near Newcastle.
My late yiayia (Mersina) was widowed for half of her life. Yiayia came from a large family and her childhood was on Kastellorizo, Greece. The only daughter of the Harbour Master.
She experienced war on Kastellorizo and consequently fled to Australia. She married my pappou in Australia and had four children but tragically lost her husband in a car accident and at the same time miscarried her fifth child. She suffered greatly. Compounding trauma lead to PTSD, which was never really treated and later she developed psychosis. Observing my yiayia suffer when I was a child inspired me to learn about mental illness and go on to become a psychologist.
My Greek identity was strongly influenced by my yiayia’s brother, my great uncle Gus (Manettas). Uncle Gus helped raise my dad and his sisters. He lived very close by and was very protective of his family and proud of his Greek heritage.
When I was 12 years old and in Year 6, I travelled to Greece with my Uncle Gus and Auntie Norma and my cousin Mersina. I think it was that holiday where I learned first-hand about Greece’s history and Kastellorizo, and I developed a deeper understanding and affection for my Greek heritage.
3. Why do we need to keep honouring and celebrating national days?
Celebrating national days like Greek Independence Day helps us understand our shared history and the importance of embracing culture and multiculturalism.
Due to the current and forecasted weather conditions in Sydney, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) has been forced to make the difficult decision of cancelling Greek Fest Darling Harbour that was scheduled to take place this Sunday, March 27.
It is a decision that has come after careful consideration and with much regret to all those that would have been part of the long-awaited Festival, especially following the impact of COVID-19.
“This is not the outcome we wanted following postponement of the last event. We had already invested so much into making this festival happen, so it is with a heavy heart that we have come to this decision,” The President of GOCNSW, Harry Danalis, said.
The Greek Festival of Sydney and the GOCNSW appreciate everyone’s efforts and contributions to this festival and although the flagship event cannot take place this year, there are plenty of other events coming up in the program which people are urged to keep an eye out for and attend.
A large research project is being performed at the University of Ioannina in hopes to create a digital representation of one of the largest population exchanges of the 20th century that involved approximately 1.6 million people.
The project will research and aim to depict and clarify where the refugees who arrived in Greece following the Asia Minor Campaign and the population exchange travelled from and where they eventually settled.
Dimitra Papadopoulou is a student at the University of Ioannina and has taken an active interest and is also a participant of this research project. She tells Ekathimerini of her motivation to learn more of her ancestor’s story as she descends from refugees on both her mother and father’s side.
“When I was younger, I did not find them very interesting, but I now realize the importance of these stories,” says Ms Papadopoulou.
Refugee camp in 1922
The 20-year-old student contributes to the research project by gathering information and adding it to existing databases that were created by the University. Details that are added to the database include the names and journeys of over 600,000 urban and agricultural worker refugees.
When the data is collected, it is then sent to be analysed and interpreted by project coordinator Stelios Michalopoulos, a professor at Brown University. Mr Michalopoulos relays that even though the Asia Minor Campaign was taught in schools, there are not enough facts about the refugees’ contribution to the history of Greece.
“It is almost like there is a network with the stories of the refugees but there are no hinges to connect them,” Mr Michalopoulos says. “I hope our research will create the hinges to bring together all these social cells.”
Under a proposal by the NSW Government, compensation payments for NSW taxi licence owners, who were impacted by the introduction of Uber to the ride-share industry, could increase from $20,000 to $200,000.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the $1 billion package, developed in consultation with the industry, will be considered by Cabinet’s powerful expenditure review committee
These increased payments would be funded by an extension to the $1 passenger service levy, currently applied to every trip in a taxi or ride-sharing car.
“I am very conscious of the fact that they [taxi licence owners], through no fault of their own, have lost the value of a business and, in many respects, tragically, that includes the life savings of families,” Minister Elliott said.
“I want to make sure that those taxi drivers who have put their life earnings and their working life into an asset which has now been devalued are compensated.”
Transport for NSW held a number of webinars in September 2021 with taxi licence owners, where they announced their plans to remove the limit on the number of taxi licences and remove restrictions on areas where taxis can operate.
During the webinars, the government agency said taxi licence owners could potentially be compensated for these reforms by being given $50,000 for each licence, but it will be capped at two licences. Anything over that will not be compensated, amounting in huge losses for many Greeks who initially paid around $400,000 for a licence.
If today’s announcement is accepted by the expenditure review committee, taxi licence owners could be compensated more greatly. The NSW Government have also decided to drop the two licences cap which was announced as part of the reforms.
The Institute of Macedonian Studies, after the publication and release of the epic book on Imvros and Tenedos, has organised with the consensus of the Greek Community of Melbourne and the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and in collaboration with the Australian Research Institute, a concert and dance evening with the great performer of selected Greek songs, Dimitris Basis, on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in the fully renovated Stars International Hall, 1c Bell Street, Preston, from 7.30 to 1.30.
This great cultural evening is dedicated to the Hellenism of Asia Minor, the years of its prosperity but also to the years of uprooting from 1922 onwards.
In the first part of the evening, the charismatic Dimitris Basis will perform compositions by Theodorakis, Markopoulos, Loizos, songs of Mitropanos and his own as well as folk songs, which refer to Hellenism. In the second part follows the dance program with Dimitris Basis, performing selected songs loved by the Hellenes.
An anniversary program of 40 pages will be released with notes on Asia Minor and the Anatolia where Hellenism acted, from the years of Alexander the Great to the Regiment of Cretan Evzones of Colonel Nikolaos Plastiras, the Satan Esker (Devils Army) as the Turkish fighters called it, in the depths of Asia and Saggarios.
The Anniversary Program, supported financially by sponsorships of Greek businesses, will be released in hundreds of copies and will be distributed after the event to schools, in addition to be presented to all those who will attend the event.
The current restrictions of the epidemic crisis will allow only a limited number of people to attend. The event will be accompanied by Dimitris Basis and his orchestra, as well as by the orchestra that will accompany the performer Doukissa Filippou.
The ticket price of $150 and $120 includes a full dinner, with two bottles of wine on the table, sweets, soft drinks and coffee.
“I will offer unforgettable moments and unspeakable emotion to our guests. They will leave the event with memories of an unforgettable Greek night,” Dimitris Basis stressed
Any surplus from the event will be allocated to research as well as to the Cultural Sponsorships and Scholarship Program of the Institute of Macedonian Studies. In a later briefing, the names of the Sponsors of the Event will be mentioned.
