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Sydney’s Cretan community commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete

Andriana Simos
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Sydney’s Cretan community commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete

The words ‘MAXH’ shone brightly at the Croatian Club in Punchbowl on Saturday night as Sydney’s Cretan community gathered to commemorate exactly that – the Battle (MAXH) of Crete.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the battle and the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW marked the significant occasion with a special dinner dance.

The dance was attended by about 400 people, including a number of guests of honour, dignitaries and representatives from Greek communities across New South Wales.

  • There were over 400 attendees at the commemoration.
  • Photos by The Greek Herald.

These included, but are not limited to, the President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, the Very Reverend Father Christophoros Krikelis and the Archdeacon Athenagoras, the Chairman of the Joint Committee of the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, James Jordan, the Vice President of the Greek Returned Servicemen League of NSW, Peter Tsigounis, New Zealand RSL representative, Margaret McInroy, and Delphi Bank representatives, Nick Kalikajaros and Tom Christopoulos.

  • Greek community leaders at the event. Photos by The Greek Herald.
  • Ryan, Kelvin and Phillip Bourke with Terry Saviolakis.

Also in attendance on the night were Kelvin and Phillip Bourke who came to honour their late father Nick Bourke, a runner from the 22nd Battalion, who fought in the Battle of Crete.

Official proceedings began with a minutes silence for members of the Cretan Association who had passed away over the last few months, followed by the entrance of each guest of honour walking side-by-side with Greek dancers dressed in traditional Cretan costumes.

A number of prominent officials gave speeches. Photos: The Greek Herald.

Speeches then began, starting with Mr Saviolakis, Mr Karras, Mr Jordan, Mr Kalikajaros, who presented Mr Saviolakis with a commemorative award, and the Very Reverend Father Christophoros Krikelis. Messages from Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, were also read out.

In his speech, the Consul General focused on the relationship between Greece and Australia and stressed how the Battle of Crete “was the culminating moment of the co-operation between two peoples.”

  • Awards were given throughout the night.
  • Photos by The Greek Herald.

“The Anzac contribution in Greece is a chapter of great importance to our two nations. Australia and Greece share a history of strength and dignity, a history of common values and struggles,” Mr Karras continued.

At the conclusion of the speeches, the Cretan band for the night, which included Sifi Tsourdalakis on the Lyra, Paddy Montgomery and Angelo Goutzios on the laouto, Tony Iliou on guitar and George Ganakas on the bass guitar, were presented with awards before they went on stage to entertain attendees for the remainder of the night.

A Cretan band performed on the night. Photo: The Greek Herald.

Their music was accompanied by Cretan dance performances from the Cretan Association’s youth, intermediate and senior dance groups, which brought a smile to the faces of everyone in the room.

The night ended with large groups of people, who had enjoyed a meal of delicious steak or chicken, jumping on to the dance floor and grooving to the music. One lucky attendee also walked away with an 18ct white gold diamond cross from Steven James Jewellers.

A great night enjoyed by all!

  • Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW’s dance groups.
  • Photos by The Greek Herald.

Greek flags sail across Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution

The Greek Herald
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Greek flags sail across Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution

Burwood Council took part in the month long celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution, held under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Australia.

Dignitaries present at the event include Christos Karras, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Martha Mavrommati, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Jodi McKay, leader of NSW Opposition and Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Katia Gkikiza, trade commissioner of Greece in Australia, John Faker, Mayor of Burwood Council, Cr Heather Crichton and Cr Raj Dixit, Tommaso Briscese, General Manager of Burwood Council, Antoine Doueihi, Mayor of Strathfield, Rev. Fr George Liangas, as well as the Greek RSL sub-branch representing Peter Tsigounis.

  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald

The ceremony commenced with a parade of young school children and Greek dancers marching onto the large stage sat in Burwood park, which was decorated with hanging Greek and Australian flags. Following a Greek dance on the stage, the students joined Fr George Liangas and Mr Peter Tsigounis in the opening proceedings.

Master of Ceremonies Dimitrios Kametopoulos introduced Mayor John Faker as the first speaker to celebrate the historic occasion, who noted the unforgettable role St Nectarios Church has played in the Greek community of Burwood.

  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Burwood as council celebrates bicentenary of 1821 revolution. Photo: The Greek Herald

“I want to say a big thank you to the contribution you are making to our community for the last 30 to 40 years, some of you 50 years, and it’s really important that we continue to celebrate this diversity and your culture and importantly the faith,” Mayor Faker said.

Mr Christos Karras spoke about the role Greek Australians have played in shaping their new homeland, but also about the role the Greek diaspora and philhellenes played during the Greek revolution.

“The philhellenes and Greek diaspora struggled together to promote the Greek cause… and their work proved to be critical to the future of the revolution,” Mr Karras said.

  • Martha Mavromati. Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Jodi McKay MP. Photo: The Greek Herald

Martha Mavrommati spoke about the unforgettable role Cypriots played in the Greek revolution, and continue to play a role in honouring the heroes of the Greek revolution.

“Be proud of your heritage, be proud of your language and be proud of your religion, and don’t forget what the Greeks said when they were fighting during the revolution: It’s better to be free for one minute than to be for 40 years in imprisonment and enslavement,” the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus said.

Concluding the dignitaries speeches was Jodi McKay MP, who expressed her honour in participating in the month long celebrations of the Greek revolution bicentenary anniversary, especially in her representative seat of Strathfield.

  • Photo: The Greek Herald
  • Photo: The Greek Herald

“I also what to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of St Nectarios Church last year,” Ms McKay said, adding that the work of Rev. Fr George Liangas is greatly appreciated in the Burwood and Greek communities of Sydney.

Following the speeches was a choir and musical performance by members of the St Nectarios parish, as well as a poetry recital by the Greek school students.

Mr Chris Christogeorge gave his Greek national day address in the Greek language, speaking about the heroes of the Greek revolution.

“Greek general Theodoros Kolokotronis once said that ‘God is with us and he’s helping us. Because we fight with our faith for our country, for our elder parents, our children and ultimately for our Freedom. And when God helps, we can’t be defeated'”, Mr Christogeorge said.

Photo: The Greek Herald

The Nassibian dancers followed the powerful speech by Mr Christogeorge, who were directed by Christina Efthymiades. Mr Costa Vertzayias, author of ‘1821’, also spoke about the significance of the Greek revolution when looking upon all revolutions in Europe and the United States of America.

Another poetry recital followed, along with a speech from Mr Tony Diakopanagiotis, the Greek School sub-committee President.

The event concluded with another performance from the Nassibian dancers, along with a speech from Greek school principal Dimitrios Kametopoulos, and closing statement by Rev Fr George Liangas.

Photo: The Greek Herald

Mary Couros among those leading the charge for equality in Adelaide’s City Council

The Greek Herald
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Mary Couros among those leading the charge for equality in Adelaide’s City Council

A Persian councillor, backed by the Adelaide Lord Mayor and her deputy, Mary Couros, both women with migrant heritage, is calling for an inquiry on gender and cultural equity in the Adelaide City Council.

The aim is to circuit-break alleged bias and bad behaviour among councillors and create a safe place for generations of new local government leaders, family violence survivor and Afghan-born councillor, Arman Abrahimzadeh, told The Advertiser.

His motion for an inquiry will be discussed at a council meeting tonight and has the backing of Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Mary Couros.

READ MORE: Mother, businesswoman and Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide: Meet Mary Couros.

Adelaide City Council Deputy Lord Mayor, Mary Couros, Lord Mayor, Sandy Verschoor, and Councillor, Arman Abrahimzadeh. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

Ms Verschoor, the daughter of Dutch immigrants, said the city’s diverse and multicultural community should be reflected within the elected body, committees, and boards.

“We need to shake up the status quo and be brave in our decision making,” Ms Verschoor told The Advertiser.

Of the council’s 12 members, four are female and half were either born outside Australia or are first-generation migrants.

Cr Couros, daughter of Greek immigrants, said that while the council had strong female leadership in the chamber and staff, the gender scale was still tipped in men’s favour.

Of the council’s 12 members, four are female and half were either born outside Australia or are first-generation migrants.

READ MORE: Mary Couros appointed Deputy Lord Mayor of Adelaide.

She said that until there was equality in numbers it would be difficult to attract more young women and people from diverse cultures to run for local government.

At tonight’s meeting, Cr Abrahimzadeh will ask council’s acting chief executive, Clare Mockler, to identify culture and gender diversity gaps within the council.

He wants Ms Mockler to recommend ways for the council to better reflect cultural and gender diversity and, in turn, prevent bullying and bias in and outside the chamber.

“We must ourselves build a respectful culture where gender equity and diversity are celebrated, emboldened and acknowledged as an elected body,” he told The Advertiser.

Source: The Advertiser.

Two main suspects in murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, caught on camera

The Greek Herald
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Two main suspects in murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, caught on camera

A security camera has captured the two main suspects in the murder of journalist, Giorgos Karaivaz, in Greece.

The camera capture shows two people leaving the scene of the crime on a scooter. The driver wears a helmet while the passenger, who was the one who shot Karaivaz, is wearing a beanie and a neck fleece.

READ MORE: Veteran Greek journalist murdered outside Athens home.

Karaivaz was murdered outside his home, in the coastal Athens suburb of Alimos, as he returned from work early Friday afternoon. The autopsy shows he was hit by 10 bullets, of which six in the torso, two in the head, one in the neck and one in the left palm.

A security camera has captured the two main suspects in the murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece.

According to the autopsy, the head wounds were the last, confirming a witness account that the murderer went next to Karaivaz as he stood prone and fired the last two shots at point blank range.

State news agency, ANA-MPA, reports that police are examining the victim’s cellphone and computer, as well as his personal blog, to glean information as to the motives of the killers. Police say this had all the hallmarks of a professional hit.

READ MORE: ‘Cowardly act’: Greek PM demands urgent probe into journalist’s murder.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Olympiacos crowned champion after beating historic archrival, Panathinaikos

The Greek Herald
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Olympiacos crowned champion after beating historic archrival, Panathinaikos

Olympiacos has mathematically clinched its second consecutive title in the Super League, and 46th overall in the Greek top flight, after beating Panathinaikos on Sunday while Aris suffered a home reverse to AEK.

In an action-packed Derby of the Eternal Rivals in Piraeus, Olympiacos came from behind to beat Panathinaikos 3-1 on Sunday and create an unassailable lead of 22 points at the top of the table, with seven games left to play.

Panathinaikos took the lead with a Federico Macheda penalty just after the half-hour point, but substitute Ahmed Hassan equalised in the first-half injury time.

Hassan scored twice to mathematically secure the 46th title for Olympiacos. Credit: Twitter/Olympiacos FC.

It was only after Panathinaikos was left with 10 men, through the second yellow card shown to Achilleas Pougouras, that Olympiacos managed to edge ahead with Hassan again, before Bruma put the icing on the cake with the last kick of the game.

Olympiacos has reached 76 points, with Aris on 54 after it went down 3-1 at home to AEK. The Yellows of Athens led 3-0 from the 37th minute, with penalty kicks by Muamer Tankovic and Karim Ansarifard and a goal by Stavros Vassilantonopoulos, before Aris scored a consolation goal via Daniel Mancini in the second half.

AEK has joined PAOK on 51 points, as PAOK drew 1-1 at Asteras Tripolis. The Thessaloniki club led with Karol Swiderski, but Asteras drew level courtesy of Juan Munafo to reach 44 points, five less than fifth-placed Panathinaikos.

In the playouts on Saturday, Larissa scored a stunning 1-0 triumph at Atromitos to come off the bottom of the table, where Panetolikos has now dropped due to its 3-1 loss at Volos.

OFI snatched a precious 0-0 draw at Apollon and is three points above Panetolikos, with one team going straight down and another facing a relegation playoff with the Super League 2 runner-ups.

On Monday, PAS Giannina hosts Lamia.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Insight or Perspective: Best resources for teaching Greek from birth

The Greek Herald
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Insight or Perspective: Best resources for teaching Greek from birth

By Eleni Elefterias

What do you get a new mother for her baby when you know she wants to teach it Greek.

The safe bet is a CD of Greek lullabies. One of the best, with traditional tunes is by Savinna Yiannatou.

Youtube is a good source of Greek music. A baby needs soothing music to sleep and calm music so he doesn’t become startled when awake.

When the baby is able to sit up then make sure, if she is looking at a screen, there is something Greek on it. This way she is getting as much incidental Greek learning as possible. If you still have a Dvd player there are some great Dvds for babies such as My First Words in Greek and English DVD produced right here in Australia for 0-4 years.

You should be reading to your baby even while breast feeding. As a baby’s grip strengthens, they are able to grasp little board books. The more colourful, the better. Choose smaller sized board books that fit into small hands on the subjects of Animals, Numbers, Colours, Toys and Shapes. Showing the Greek Alphabet is pretty useless at this stage unless the book is accompanied by word and pictures.

Babies love simple stories. One-word pages, lots of stimulating colourful images. Something they can touch and feel to help them learn about the world as all those neurones in their brain develop.

Apart from board books, soft material books are great for this age too.

Repetition is the key so once you know what their favourite books are so Read and Repeat! That way they will definitely learn what they hear. If you assume they will never understand greek then you are right they will not! However, if you assume they will then you will be pleasantly surprised.

It is a good time now to either get large flash cards or make your own colourful flash cards and place them on the walls and in the furniture in various rooms and as you pass by with the baby, point and say the word out loud. Labels and tags are very important learning resource from babyhood and beyond.

All the resources above are available at www.bilingualbookshop.com.au

‘Kafenio 1’ program kicks off at the Chau Chak Wing Museum

The Greek Herald
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‘Kafenio 1’ program kicks off at the Chau Chak Wing Museum

The Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney kicked off their Kafenio 1 program on Thursday to celebrate Greek culture through games and conversation.

In Greece, the kafenio is a place where people come to drink coffee, to discuss politics, philosophy and their neighbours, and of course to play tavli (backgammon).

Throughout Kafenio 1 people will have the opportunity to explore the social and cultural context of board games throughout history, handle and view special artefacts, photographs and artworks from Greece and around the globe, and of course, play some games! 

A lion and gazelle play senet in this detail copied in watercolour on paper from a Deir el Medina papyrus fragment, dated to 1250-1150BC. David Hogarth, The First Caricature in the Museum By Hogarth (detail), late 19th century, Chau Chak Wing Museum, UA1989.9.75

Monday 12 – Friday 16 April, the Chau Chak Wing Museum will ‘travel back in time’ to allow visitors to play a number of ancient board games.

Launched as a school holiday program, kids can learn to play the ancient games of senet, 5-lines and tavli (backgammon), and challenge their skills in some real ancient board games.

Children and adults can speak to the Museum education team about the role of gaming in people’s lives and enjoy a rare chance to handle ancient artefacts. Ideal for kids aged 5-12 and their families.

In association with the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, the free celebration of games and Greek culture is supported by The Nicholas Anthony Aroney Estate Greek Cultural Program.

97-year-old Greek WWII veteran, Iakovos Tsounis, passes away

The Greek Herald
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97-year-old Greek WWII veteran, Iakovos Tsounis, passes away

97-year-old Greek WWII veteran and shipowner, Iakovos Tsounis, passed away on Saturday.

The special and admirable Greek is a descendant of the heroes of the revolution of 1821. He himself fought at the age of 16 in the Greek-Italian War of 1940, thus being the youngest veteran of World War II.

The President of the Hellenic Republic issued a statement after the news of his passing.

”A national benefactor, a true patriot and philanthropist, Iakovos Tsounis, with his ethos and great contribution especially to the Armed Forces, leaves a great legacy in the country. His loss causes grief to all Greeks. We say goodbye to him with gratitude,” the Greek President stated.

The Greek veteran started as a customs broker in Piraeus. In 1966 he entered shipping as a shipowner, acquiring a total of 13 merchant ships and forming a large fortune. Tsounis also built a Museum, which is located next to his permanent residence on Kyprou Street, in Papagou.

Greek shipowner Iakovos Tsounis was presented with a ceremonial sword for his donation. Credit: Ministry of Defense

Tsounis received the Commemoration of the Star of Value and Honor in 2018 for his service and in April 2020, following the advice of Armed Forces and a proposal of the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, he was awarded the rank of reservist Major General.

In February 2021, Tsounis had donated 23 million euros and 60 landing craft to the Greek armed forces. Tsounis declared that he wanted to leave life as he began it — barefoot.

Grecian Chic: This is how Ancient Greek Art has influenced fashion

The Greek Herald
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Grecian Chic: This is how Ancient Greek Art has influenced fashion

By Ilektra Takuridu

Ancient Greek Culture has influenced modern fashion for many centuries. More and more famous designers worldwide use Ancient Greek artwork on their clothing brands. Archaeological findings showed that the Ancient Greeks had functional and colourful clothing. Even though no clothes have remained from the Ancient Greek era, we can still find depictions on walls, vases and statues how the clothes looked like.

Greek dresses were usually made from linen and cotton due to the hot climate, or wool when the weather was cold, much like today. As seen in many art works the dresses showed simplicity combined with harmony; today designers still use this style for summer fashion. Linen clothes from ancient times made dresses look wet like drapery with a soft fold which gave the look of a Goddess like image, a look that is becoming more popular, especially now with the body positivity movements.

The renowned fashion brand Chanel made a beautiful collection inspired by ancient Greek art called Chanel Resort 2018; dresses were made in a breezy fresh style to show the women as God-like figures from ancient statues. The designer of the collection was the famous Karl Lagerfeld. He comments on his collection, “the criteria of beauty in ancient, then classical, Greece still hold true. There have never been more beautiful representations of women”.

Chanel Resort 2018, Look 84, Model: Vittoria Ceretti, Photographer: Yannis Vlamos.

The use of white and nude colours in his collection are inspired by Greek artifacts he saw in museums. His dresses were resembling the ancient chiton (undergarment), peplos (upper garment) and himation (cloak) that people in Ancient Greece were wearing.

We can’t forget the London-based Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou who also keeps ancient Greek art alive with her collections. These collections are full of Ancient Greek prints from vases, and she often uses Minoan priestesses or goddesses on her clothes.  

Chimera Dress, Designer Mary Katrantzou.

One of the most significant motifs that we still use in modern-era fashion is the Meander, also called the Greek fret or key design. It is a prevalent geometrical decorative detail that Ancient Greeks used on their jewellery, clothes, and walls. The Meander symbolizes many things, but mostly the eternal flow of things and infinity. Sometimes it is given as a wedding gift because it represents the love that never ends.

Attic middle geometric amphora. From Kerameikos. By the Painter of Athens. 850-800 B.C

Possibly the most recognizable logos that use a Greek Ancient motif is the brand Versace. The logo of Versace is the head of a Greek mythological creature called Medousa. Gianni Versace chose her because of her alluring appeal but also his love for Greek artwork. His fashion collections are full of Gold bold meanders.  

Once you explore and understand Ancient Greek art, you can find resemblances and its influence everywhere in modern fashion.

‘Cowardly act’: Greek PM demands urgent probe into journalist’s murder

The Greek Herald
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‘Cowardly act’: Greek PM demands urgent probe into journalist’s murder

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday demanded the “swift resolution” of a probe into a crime journalist’s murder already condemned by leading EU officials, political parties and media unions.

Mitsotakis had summoned his police minister Michalis Chrysochoidis to a Saturday meeting on the case, the PM’s office said.

Giorgos Karaivaz, who worked for private TV station Star and also ran the news blog bloko.gr, was shot several times Friday as he exited his car outside his house in the southern Athens district of Alimos, witnesses said.

READ MORE: Veteran Greek journalist murdered outside Athens home

A police source told AFP the 52-year-old journalist had been shot by two men on a motorbike. Seventeen bullet casings were recovered from the scene.

The murder was rapidly condemned by the European Commission and the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights.

Journalist Giorgos Karaivaz ambushed and murdered. (Photo by Eurokinissi/ Yiannis Panagopoulos)

“Murdering a journalist is a despicable, cowardly act,” Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted Friday. 

“Europe stands for freedom. And freedom of press may be the most sacred of all. Journalists must be able to work safely. My thoughts are with the family of George Karaivaz. I hope the criminals are soon brought to justice,” she said.

Karaivaz had worked for some of Greece’s leading newspapers and TV channels in a 32-year career.

Chrysochoidis said Saturday that Greek police “as it always does” would soon find the assassins of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz and would turn them over to justice.

“Every statistic shows Greece has a very small number of homicides in Europe. It is a safe and calm country,” Chrysochoidis said. “The Greek state functions with the utmost respect for the freedom of the press and the protection of rights.” 

While Greek media offices are frequently targeted in firebomb and vandalism attacks, journalist killings are rare.

Some journalists request police protection after receiving threats, but Karaivaz was unguarded.

“It was not his style to request protection,” a police officer who knew Karaivaz well told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. 

Sourced By: AFP

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