A new lighting system was unveiled at the Panathenaic Stadium, also known as the Kallimarmaro, in a ceremony on Monday evening.
A new lighting system was unveiled at the Panathenaic Stadium on Monday.
The low-key event, adjusted to the pandemic era, was attended by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni and Athens Mayor, Kostas Bakoyannis.
The new lighting system, comprising of over 3,600 LED bulbs, will highlight the marble used to construct the stadium, home of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
The new lighting is set to reduce light pollution by over 70 percent.
Officials said the new lighting will reduce light pollution by over 70 percent and slash by half the stadium’s energy requirements.
The EU is to give Greece funding to build five new refugee camps on the Aegean islands.
The EU Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, visited Lesvos and Samos on Monday to announce that the EU would provide 250 million euros of funding for five new structures on the islands of Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros.
A large crowd of demonstrators gathered outside the town hall on the waterfront in Mytilene, the capital of Lesvos, to protest against her visit.
Some wrapped themselves in Greek flags and others held signs calling for European solidarity. One sign read: “No to European Guantánamos. Shame on you, Europe.” Another said: “No structures on the island, Europe take responsibility.”
Local residents holding Greek flags protest during the visit of the EU Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, at Mytilene port, on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos, Greece, Monday, March 29, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Panagiotis Balaskas.
Kostas Moutzouris, the northern Aegean’s regional governor, told the Guardian he had cancelled his meeting with Johansson during her visit. “We don’t want the money for new camps – we want it for what we suffered all these years but not to build new camps,” he said.
At a joint press conference with the Greek Immigration Minister, Notis Mitarachi, Ms Johansson said it was of “utmost importance” that people were not in the “temporary” camp built in the wake of the Moria fire for another winter. An agreement for 155 million euros for the construction of camps on Lesvos and Chios had just been signed, she said.
She said there should be “quick and fair” asylum processes, and that the EU was calling on Turkey to resume accepting migrants from Greece.
EU Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, left, listens to an asylum seeker at a refugee camp in the port of Vathy on the eastern Aegean island of Samos, Greece, Monday, March 29, 2021. Photo: AP Photo/Michael Svarnias.
“Even if you are not eligible [to stay in Greece] you are a human being – you have rights and dignity and should be treated accordingly,” she said.
Mitarachi said the new centres on Samos, Kos and Leros would be ready within the three months and would offer “dignified” living conditions, but entry and exit would be controlled, with fencing around the camps.
“For those that believe we are creating a new Moria, it will be shown in practice that you are wrong,” he said.
Johansson urges Greece to investigate reports of asylum-seeker pushbacks:
During her joint press conference with Mitarachi, Ms Johansson also said Greece “can do more” to investigate reports it has pushed asylum-seekers back to Turkey.
The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, has said it has received a growing number of reports in recent months suggesting asylum-seekers may have been pushed back to Turkey at sea or immediately after reaching Greek soil, or left adrift at sea.
Joint press conference with the Greek Immigration Minister, Notis Mitarachi, and EU Commissioner, Ylva Johansson. Photo: Reuters / Elias Marcou.
Greek officials have always rejected the reports.
“I am very concerned about the UNHCR report and there are some specific cases that I really think need to be looked into closer… I think the Greek authorities can do more when it comes to investigating these alleged pushbacks,” Ms Johansson said.
Mitarachi responded and said Greece adhered to European and international law.
“We strongly deny that the Greek coast guard has ever been involved in pushbacks,” he said, adding that independent investigations, including by the Greek judiciary and by the EU’s border agency Frontex, had not found violations.
Greece and other frontline states including Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Malta have called repeatedly for a more coordinated migration policy from the EU and more help from other EU countries in handling migrant arrivals.
Christina Bacchiella describes herself as a third generation Greek-Italian Australian “who is helplessly in love with Greek music, art, language and humour.” This love goes straight into several creative projects she’s worked on, including being the founder of Sydney Greek Jam and the co-founder of Greek Fringe.
But that’s not all she’s known for.
More recently, Christina has also been recognised for her work in Indigenous education in engineering as the Community and Engagement Co-ordinator at The University of Sydney’s Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES). This is a role she’s incredibly proud of and something she says inspires her to delve deeper into her own Greek-Italian roots.
To find out more about this (and more), we spoke exclusively to the 33-year-old and here’s what she had to say…
Christina Bachiella.
What does your role in Indigenous education involve?
In my specific faculty role of Community Engagement Coordinator, I project manage the university’s Indigenous Australian Engineering School (IAES) in collaboration with Engineering Aid Australia. It’s a role I love as I get to see Indigenous students in Years 10 to 12 get real-life experience in engineering through the IAES education program.
During the IAES, Indigenous students from across Australia live on campus for six days to get a real taste of university life. The students are accompanied by “house parents” from engineering backgrounds, who have been through the IAES. They also get access to prominent STEM academics at the university and visit engineering companies such as Sydney Metro.
The whole program creates an exciting environment for Indigenous students to learn how engineering can improve our communities, to meet engineering role models, and gain insights into the opportunities engineering can deliver as a career.
In addition to these schools, I also run other initiatives to ensure equal opportunity for prospective students and promote diversity among the student population at the University.
As a woman, how does it feel to be working in the field of Indigenous education?
Women are motivators for change within communities. Grandmothers and Aunties in Indigenous communities are often the strong ones instigating social change, furthering culture and nurturing youth. A lot of people that work in areas of social justice are women. I have had positive experiences working in this field with both men and women who are champions for change. It’s been extremely rewarding to see the increased number of young Indigenous students coming through the program and taking up tertiary study in engineering.
Christina works in Indigenous education.
Do you find your Greek-Italian heritage helps you connect with Indigenous students more?
Having been raised in the context of different cultures, I feel I am more aware and have great respect for cultural differences. My instinct for social justice acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have lost contact with aspects of their culture. The richness of Indigenous culture has prompted younger generations to reengage with their culture and this has also inspired me to delve further into my roots.
Tell us about Sydney Greek Jam and Greek Fringe. How did you become involved in them?
I have been lucky enough to be able to travel to Greece frequently. Live music is omnipresent over there, in bars, taverns, venues and on the streets. I also missed the acoustic nature in which people enjoy music in Greece. Intimate and unplugged – the best! These experiences and my longing for them are what prompted me to start Sydney Greek Jam, to try to recreate the atmosphere that I crave.
The Greek Fringe recently came into being as I felt there was a lack of contemporary and alternative Greek music and art among the diaspora. The connections made through the jam and my involvement in the Rebetiko Festival, equipped me with the experience and drive to start Greek Fringe – a portal to contemporary Greek culture from around the globe.
Christina is also involved in the creative industry.
Co-founder Con Kalamaras and I are extremely touched by how well the initiative has been received. This project is funded by the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne and has attracted media partners in New York, UK and Greece thereby, creating a global community who appreciate Greek music and art.
Collaborations with people around the world has meant greater exposure for the artists that we feature and has allowed our audience to learn more about the hidden talents that exist in and out of Greece.
Does being a Greek woman influence your work in the creative arts industry?
I would say that my cultural roots are what drove me to get involved in the creative industry in the first place. I am so passionate about the evolution of the musical traditions of Greece that I felt a strong urge to share this with the world. And so, Sydney Greek Jam and Greek Fringe came into being!
Christina with her dad.
How would you encourage other women to get involved in Indigenous education and music?
It’s about gaining a deeper understanding of the barriers Indigenous communities face and addressing issues in a genuine spirit of collaboration.
As for music, I’ve observed at our jams that there is a great imbalance of male to female instrumentalists. Yes, we have many female singers, but very few girls come along with an instrument. It would be great to see more chicks with picks!
I would encourage people who want to learn music to have no fear, grab an instrument, find a mentor and dive in! Don’t let age, shame or gender stop you. Our jams embrace people who have the will to learn. Everyone is welcome from novice to professionals. Keep an eye on Sydney Greek Jam FB page to participate.
The 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution only comes around once and Greek communities across Australia definitely made sure they celebrated the momentous occasion with a number of creative events, wreath laying and flag raising ceremonies.
Here’s our list of how Greek Independence Day celebrations went across Australia:
South Australia:
It was a full week of bicentenary celebrations for South Australia’s Greek community.
Photo: Radio Ena/Chris Despotakis
On March 25, a reception was held at South Australia’s Parliament by The Honourable Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia, and Mr George Psiachas, Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, to celebrate Greek Independence Day. In attendance were also a number of Greek Australian politicians and representatives of Greek community organisations.
SA Premier, Steven Marshall (right), held a reception to mark the bicentenary. Photo (R): Radio Ena/Chris Despotakis
On the same day, the City of West Torrens and the Mayor Michael Coxon hosted a flag raising ceremony to acknowledge the important contribution the local Greek community has made to West Torrens.
To mark the occasion, some of Adelaide’s iconic buildings were lit blue and the Greek flag was flying from the Adelaide Town Hall balcony.
Greek flags were raised across South Australia.
A Gala evening was also hosted by The Greek Orthodox Community of SA (GOSCA) on Friday, March 26 at the Olympic Hall in the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Mr Psiachas, among other dignitaries. A wreath laying ceremony on March 28, was also followed by performances from the Community’s Greek schools.
Canberra:
On Sunday, Canberra’s Greek community held a trisagio and wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial for those who fought for Greek Independence.
The trisagio was conducted by the representative of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Archepiscopal Vicar of Canberra, Very Reverend Prochoros Anastasiadis, assisted by Reverend Fathers Petros Kypouros and Iakovos Siriotis.
A memorial service was held at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial. Photo: Facebook.
A number of Greek community representatives and leaders were also present including, the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, George Papacostas, Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus, Michalakis Chatzikyrou, President of the Greek Community and Church of Canberra, John Loukadellis, Vice President of St Demetrios Parish and St Charalambos Chapel of Queanbeyan, Peter Vouzas, and Major Terry Kanellos OAM, Secretary of the Hellenic Sub Branch at RSL Melbourne, among many others.
The wreath laying ceremony was followed by a luncheon held at the Hellenic Club of Canberra, where attendees enjoyed music by DJ Stavros Giannakakis and dancing by the Canberra Hellenic Dancers.
The Canberra Hellenic Dancers. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas / Facebook.
This event came as during the week, under the initiative of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, Greek and Australian flags are proudly flying in various locations across the Canberra CBD, including at the Vernon Circle, Allara and Nangari Streets, Petrie Plaza, Gold Creek Village and Canberra Shopping Centre.
A number of buildings were also illuminated in blue and white such as the National Carillon Bell Tower, Questacon, the National Capital Authority, Ian Potter House, Black Mountain (Telstra Tower), the National Museum of Australia, The Hellenic Club of Canberra and the Greek Embassy in Australia.
(LEFT): President of the Greek Community and Church of Canberra, John Loukadellis, with the Ambassador of Greece in Australia, George Papacostas. (RIGHT) Greek flags around Canberra.
Northern Territory:
The Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia (GOCNA) didn’t disappoint with its celebrations to mark the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution.
On Thursday, March 25, members of Darwin’s Greek community attended a cocktail function at the Northern Territory Parliament House, hosted by Chief Minister, Michael Gunner.
NT Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, held a cocktail event. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography.
Mr Gunner gave speech at the event, as well as Associate Professor from Charles Darwin University, George Frazis, Peter Paroulakis and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia, Nicholas Poniris.
On the night, the Cyprus Community Dance Group also gave a small performance enjoyed by all, and the GOCNA had set up pop-ups of 1821 heroes and heroines to add an educational aspect to the event.
But the festivities didn’t stop there. On Saturday, March 27, the GOCNA’s Greek Orthodox School of Darwin held a special event, with students from all grades reciting poems, playing music and performing theatrical plays.
Greek Orthodox School of Darwin held an assembly. Photos: Georgia Politis Photography.
In attendance on the day was His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Father Chris from St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Adelaide, Natasha Fyles MP, Kate Warden MP, Honorary Consul General of Greece in Darwin, John Anictomatis, as well as other representatives of the Greek community.
This school event was followed up with a trisagio and wreath laying ceremony at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin, which was attended by a number of officials and Greek community representatives.
Trisagio and wreath laying ceremony. Photos: Georgia Politis Photography.
This includes, but is not limited to, Bishop Silouan, Father Chris, NT Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, Natasha Fyles MP, Kate Warden MP, Honorary Consul General of Greece in Darwin, John Anictomatis, Leader of the NT Opposition, Lia Finocchiaro, and Darwin’s Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis.
A luncheon followed the wreath laying ceremony, where speeches were given, musical and dance performances were displayed, and people enjoyed beautiful Greek food.
Luncheon. Photos: Georgia Politis Photography.
Western Australia:
The Consulate of Greece in Perth organised a series of events to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the National Day of 25th March 1821.
On Thursday, March 25, the National Day Reception took place at the Perth Town Hall, in the presence of the Lieutentant Governor of WA, the Honourable Peter Quinlan, as well as other dignitaries, amongst which was the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, representing the Premier and the Lord Mayor of Perth, Mr Basil Zempilas.
Consul of Greece in Perth, Ms Georgia Karasiotou, with Perth Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas.
On March 28, the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony of the Consulate was held at Kings Park State War Memorial in the presence of the Governor of WA as well as other representatives of the federal, state and local government.
The Wreath Laying was preceded by a Doxology at the Church of Evangelismos. Australian and Greek dignitaries paid their tribute by laying their wreaths and the ceremony was concluded with short speeches by the Consul of Greece in Perth, Ms Georgia Karasiotou, the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of WA and Mr Simon Millman MLA, Representing the Premier of WA.
Wreath laying ceremony.
Youth played Greek music.
Right after the Wreath Laying Ceremony, a special Bicentenary Celebration for the Hellenism of WA took place at St Andrew’s Grammar School. Prime Minister of Greece Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a video message and the attendees were honoured by the virtual “live” presence of the Secretary General for Public Diplomacy and Greeks Abroad, Prof. John Chrysoulakis.
Famous Greek singer George Dalaras also sent a video/musical message, while Anastasios Karamintzas\Anastasis live offered us a journey in time and space with the performance of Greek songs by famous Greek composers and musicians.
A special Exhibition titled «Greece Liberated: Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic and Consular Relations» is currently being held until April 3 at the ground floor of the Perth Town Halland and it’s open Daily: 10.00-16.00, except Sunday 28 March and Friday 2 April
Tasmania:
On Sunday, March 28, the Greek community of Tasmania celebrated the Bicentennial for Greek Independence.
Everyone was invited to attend church services at the Hobart parishes of St Georges and Holy Trinity, and this was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Hobart Cenotaph and then a community celebration at Hellenic House in North Hobart.
Wreath laying ceremony in Tasmania. Photos: Andrew McMaster.
Wreaths were presented at the cenotaph from the Greek Community of Tasmania (and associated Greek community bodies), the Tasmanian representative for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and various Tasmanian state and local government representatives, and invited dignitaries.
Photos: Andrew McMaster.
A special highlight was the guest speaker, Dr Stavros Paspalas, Director of the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens from the University of Sydney, who spoke to the community at Hellenic House about the importance the Greek War for Independence, in relation to the world stage at the time.
The senior members of our community also greatly enjoyed the day as they joined in with the Greek school students singing songs and reciting poems they had learned as children themselves.
The celebrations in Tasmania were enjoyed by all. Photos: Andrew McMaster.
The highlights on the day were many, but the most special was seeing the happy faces of the children as they shared centre stage on the day, participating in everything from the wearing of the National costumes of Greece, singing the National Anthems of Greece & Australia, dancing traditional dances, reciting poems in Greek and enjoying the celebration of our Greek identity.
Queensland:
In Queensland, a trisagion service was held at Brisbane’s Shrine of Remembrance for the fallen heroes and heroines of the Greek Revolution. The service was conducted by Reverend Father Timothy Evangelinidis, District Secretary for Queensland and Papua New Guinea Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
The trisagion service at Brisbane’s Shrine of Remembrance. Photos: Facebook.
Brisbane’s Hellenic Dancers formed a guard of honour as His Excellency, the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, as well as other representatives from the local Greek community, arrived at the Shrine.
This service was followed by the official Consulate of Greece of Queensland’s reception, which turned the Greek Club in Brisbane blue and white to mark the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, attended the official Consular reception.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, attended the official reception, as well as High Commissioner for Cyprus, Martha Mavrommatis, among others. All were treated to great food and Greek music and dance performances.
New South Wales:
Of most significance in New South Wales, was the lighting of the Sydney Opera House blue and white on March 25 to mark the bicentenary. Sydney’s Greek community turned up in large groups to see the Opera House lit up officially by the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian. People could also be seen dancing and singing the Greek National Anthem proudly.
The Sydney Opera House
Across the city, a number of other events were also held, including the ‘Greek Legends of the 20th Century’ tribute concert, the Greek Consulate of Sydney’s special reception, and the traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Martin Place cenotaph on Sunday.
In the Randwick and Canterbury Bankstown Council regions, the Greek flag was also raised at the Town Hall and Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre respectively.
Randwick City Councillors. Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
Victoria’s Greek community was out in force on Sunday, March 28, as they held their official commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
The celebrations began with a Divine Liturgy and Doxology service at Victoria’s first Greek Orthodox Church, The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. This was followed by cultural festivities down at Lansdowne Street in East Melbourne organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne.
Festivities in Melbourne. Photos: The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution, the Greek Community of Melbourne also lit up its 15-storey cultural centre in blue and white, while the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District (Community), lit up Saints Anargiri Church with the Greek heroes of the Revolution.
Young students from Oakleigh Grammar in Melbourne celebrated the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution with flags, poems, songs and dance at a special school assembly on Friday, March 26.
The celebration is organised annually by the Language Department of the school and the responsible teachers, and this year the assembly was opened by a group of drummers who accompanied the official guests to the indoor gym.
The primary and high school students sang with pride the National Anthems of Greece and Australia and then the Byzantine choir of the school, under the guidance of Professor Costas Damatopoulos, sang festive hymns.
The program was rich with songs, poems and traditional dances, while the show was stolen by the pre-school students who sang loudly the song “My bright moon” impressing the guests.
The event was honored by the presence of His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of Melbourne, who spoke to the young students with great emotion about the double celebration of March 25, as well as the Chairman of Victoria’s Greek National Day Council, Tony Tsourdalakis.
The Governing Committee of the school was represented by the President, Mr Christos Damatopoulos, the Secretary, Mrs Xanthi Delli and the Treasurer, Mr Sotiris Varsos. Finally, the Principal of the School, Mr Mark Robertson, spoke with a Philhellenic character about the celebration of the Greek National Anniversary.
The students, with smiles and pride on their faces, presented a wonderful program leaving the guests with the best impressions.
Melbourne’s Greek community was out in force on Sunday, March 28, as they held their official commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
The celebrations began with a Divine Liturgy and Doxology service at Victoria’s first Greek Orthodox Church, The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
At the close of the church service, festivities moved outside to Lansdowne Street in East Melbourne, which was transformed into a place bursting with colour, dancing and music by the Greek Community of Melbourne.
Greek community of Melbourne get festive to mark the Greek Revolution bicentenary. Photo: Facebook.
Once at Lansdowne Street, MC’s Tammy Iliou, Vice President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, and Michael Karamitos, Co-Chair of the Greek Community’s 200 year Anniversary program, launched official proceedings with a Welcome to Country and the singing of the Australian and Greek national anthems by students from Alphington Grammar.
This was followed by a number of speeches from prominent members of the Greek Australian community including, the Very Reverend Father Evmenios, Archiepiscopal Vicar for the District of Northcote representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Michael O’Brien, Steve Dimopoulos MP and Melbourne City Councillor Jamal Hakim.
Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis. Photos: The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis.
During Papastergiadis’ speech, he announced a significant donation by Andreas Andrianopoulos and his family towards the continued reinstatement of the Evangelismos Church.
Papastergiadis presented Mr Andrianopoulos, who was flanked by his son Chris Andrianopoulos and his wife Niki and family member Con Xindaras, a commemorative plaque to thank and honour Mr Andrianopoulos for his generous support.
Officials and dignitaries from the event. Photo: The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
After official proceedings concluded, a re-enactment of the beginning of the 1821 Greek Revolution took place, which involved 30 actors dressed as freedom fighters (six on horseback) re-telling the taking of the sacred oath by Ypsilantis and his band. Gun shots were also fired as part of the act.
This was followed by a number of dancing and music performances by the Greek Community Dance Ensemble, the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, the Manasis School of Greek Dance and Culture, the Pan Macedonian Association and the Pegasus Dance Academy.
The re-enactment. Photo: The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
“It’s a moving day for all of us as we celebrate 200 years from the beginning of the Greek Revolution. We see celebrations here in Melbourne which matches those held in Greece… with the horses and actors, all of them dressed like our heroes,” President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, tells The Greek Herald.
“It’s a day which everyone around the world recognises, but more so here in Australia, where we have strong ties with our homeland.”
Attendees were delighted by the performances, with many joining in themselves and of course, enjoying the Greek koulouria and loukoumades which were also on offer.
The event was enjoyed by all. Photo: The Greek Herald / Bill Roumeliotis.
Randwick City Council went all-out to celebrate the bicentenary anniversary of the Greek Revolution this year. First there were Greek flag banners around Randwick City, then there was the raising of the Greek flag outside the Council Administration building and finally on Saturday night at Randwick Town Hall, there was a civic reception to mark the occasion.
Randwick City Council’s civic reception. Photos: The Greek Herald.
The reception was attended by a number of dignitaries and politicians, as well as prominent members of the Greek community including, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Archepiscopal Vicar of Canberra, Very Reverend Prochoros Anastasiadis, Randwick City Councillor, Alexandra Luxford, Mayor of Randwick City, Danny Said, Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, Marjorie O’Neill MP, Matt Thistlethwaite MP, and the President of the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, Liana Vertzayias, among many others.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras.
Auntie Lola Ryan began the reception with a traditional Welcome to Country, and this was followed by a rousing rendition of the Australian anthem by Maria Koukoulis.
A number of small speeches were later heard from Randwick’s Mayor, Father Prochoros, Matt Thistlethwaite MP and Mr Karras, with the Consul General praising the bravery and endurance of the Greek resistance fighters and recognising the importance of the international community to the Greek Revolution’s success.
Matt Thistlethwaite MP.
Archepiscopal Vicar of Canberra, Very Reverend Prochoros Anastasiadis.
Maria Koukoulis completed the formal proceedings with her performance of the Greek national anthem, while a Greek band began to play traditional Greek music as attendees enjoyed their meals and started to dance.
There was plenty of Greek pride on display as Sydney’s Greek community gathered at the cenotaph in Martin Place on Sunday for a traditional wreath laying ceremony.
The ceremony kicked off with the national anthems of Greece and Australia, followed by a poem recital of Χαίρε Ελλάδα, δοξασμένοι from Maria of the Saturday Greek High School at Clemton Park.
Maria recited a poem. Photos: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevastia held a trisagio.
A trisagio service was later led by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Sevastia, representing His Eminence Makarios of Australia, after which the Last Post and Rouse was played, the Ode was read in Greek and English by Andrew Kitsos and Peter Tsigounis, and a minute silence was held.
A number of speeches were then given by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis.
The Last Post was played. Photos: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, gave a speech.
“The Greek Revolution is the most important chapter in the history of modern Hellenism. It has shaped the Greek national identity, but it was also a leading historical event of its era,” the Consul General said in his speech.
After the speeches, prominent members of the Greek community, Greek organisations and politicians, laid wreaths at the Martin Place cenotaph.
Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney. Photos: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Leader of the NSW Labor Party, Jodi McKay MP, Sophie Cotsis MP and Steve Kamper MP laid a wreath.
These included, but are not limited to, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, Trade Commissioner Katia Gkikiza, Matt Thistlethwaite MP and Tony Burke MP, representing Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Leader of the NSW Labor Party, Jodi McKay MP, Sophie Cotsis MP, Steve Kamper MP, Mayor of Waverley Council, Paula Masselos, councillors from Randwick and Bayside City Councils, St Spyridon College, All Saints Grammar, St Euphemia College, the Cretan Association of NSW and Sydney, the Greek Returned Servicemen League of NSW, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney, among many others. ALL photos of attendees can be found here.
The wreath laying ceremony was concluded with attendees being thanked by the event organisers, followed by a number of youth standing proudly in Greek costumes for photographs.
Greek youth posed for photographs. Photos: The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
St Nectarios Parish in Burwood with Jodi McKay MP.
In 1896, Spyros Louis wins the first marathon race of the inaugural revival of the Olympic Games. The Greek Herald takes a look at what led to and followed Louis’ extraordinary win.
Early years and lead-up to the Olympic Games:
Spyros Louis was born on January 12, 1873 in Marousi, Greece. He was born into a poor family of farmers who delivered drinking water to Athens.
He was a farmer finishing his military service when his commanding officer and Olympic race organiser, Colonel Papadiamantopoulos, encouraged him to sign up for the race last-minute. Louis placed fifth in one of the Greek trial races but, nonetheless, proceeded to qualify for the main event.
On April 9, 1896, the day before the race, Louis arrived in Marathon, north-east of Greece, to party with his peers. “What did we know about abstaining during training?” he would later say.
The 1896 Olympic Games:
April 10, 1896 (or March 29, in Julian Calendar) – the day of the race. Louis woke up and downed milk and two beers before running warm-up laps around Marathon square. Louis then arrives at the Panathenaic Stadium and lines up beside 17 others, including 13 Greeks and Australia’s Edwin Flack, the winner of both the 300m and the 1,500m held earlier in the Games, to begin the race.
Wearing shoes that had been donated by his fellow villagers, Louis set off. Louis paused at least twice along the route for support from his future father-in-law and… some wine. “I slurped it down and felt much stronger,” he said.
Frenchman Albin Lermusiaux initially took the lead and was still ahead at the halfway mark until stopping for a rubdown. Flack claimed the lead from Lermusiaux until he too flagged, passing the lead onto Louis.
A messenger returned this news to the stadium hailing, “Hellene! Hellene!” (“A Greek! A Greek!”), to which soon-to-be-King Crown Prince Constantine and Prince George of Greece and Denmark decided to join Louis on his final lap.
At last, Louis appears exasperated, worn, and purple-faced. Louis had won the 40-kilometre race in 2 hours, 58 minutes, and 50 seconds. At just 23-years of age, Louis had won the race by more than seven minutes.
The crowd was feverish. King George I of Greece gave Louis a standing ovation. Louis walked away that night with accolades, jewellery, a life-long free shave at a barber shop and, at request to an offer from the King, a donkey-drawn carriage.
Aftermath:
The day after his victory, Louis returned to the stadium to accept his prize. Louis was escaping rumours of his eligibility for the race and allegations of cheating when he returned back to his humble life in Maroussi as a shepherd and watercarrier with his wife Eleni. He never raced again.
The race became a highlight of the Games and Louis was heralded as the hero of the Olympic Games. The tale of his win has been chronicled and passed on through generations: a small-town ‘peasant’ defying the odds by winning Greece’s first-ever marathon sprint with nothing more than a glass of cognac.
Louis went on to say that his victory felt “unimaginable” and “like a dream.”
Forty years after his landmark Olympic marathon victory, Spyridon Louis was at the 1936 Berlin Games to present Adolf Hitler with a laurel wreath from the sacred grove of Olympia. Photo copyright: Getty Images.
Death and legacy:
Spyros died on March 26, 1940, aged 66, in his hometown of Marousi, Athens, Greece. He is buried at the Amarousion Cemetery. Louis is revered today as a national hero of Greece for his accomplishments.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation currently own Louis’ Breal’s Silver Cup when they bought it for a record-breaking €541,250 (AUD$839,928) in 2012.
The Olympic Sports Centre of Athens (OAKA) in Marousi, Athens, is named after Spyros Louis and is used today for sporting events and large-scale concerts.
On Thursday and into the weekend, Greece celebrated 200 years since the start of its struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire with a number of ceremonies and an annual military parade.
Prince Charles, who is the heir to the British throne and whose father Prince Philip was born in Corfu as part of the Greek royal family, attended the annual independence day parade, as did Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. French President, Emmanuel Macron, pulled out because of COVID-19 lockdowns in parts of France.
Greece’s President, her partner Pavlos Kotsonis, Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Photo: Orestis Panagiotou/Pool/Reuters.
Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Photo: Sputnik/Dmitry Astakhov/Pool/Reuters.
Another leader, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, failed to send a congratulatory message to Greece on the anniversary of March 25, drawing criticism as she was the only world leader to do so.
Germany’s Ambassador in Greece, Ernst Reichel, tried to respond to the criticism, saying she didn’t send a message because she was not invited to the events.
Criticism that Chancellor Merkel did not send a congratulatory message on 25 March is due to an apparent lack of knowledge about diplomatic practice. President Steinmeier, our Head of State, congratulated warmly. Had Germany been invited, he would have been the invitee.🇬🇷🇩🇪🇪🇺
“Criticism that Chancellor Merkel did not send a congratulatory message on 25 March is due to an apparent lack of knowledge about diplomatic practice. President Steinmeier, our Head of State, congratulated warmly. Had Germany been invited, he would have been the invitee,” Reichel wrote on Twitter.
Thursday’s ceremonies, at a time of renewed tension with Turkey, featured a flypast by Greek, US and French fighter jets, as well as a military parade including cavalry units and the Greek Presidential Guard – the Evzones.
Military flypast. Photo: Petros Giannakouris/AP Photo.
Military cadets march during the parade in Athens. Photo: Kostas Tsironis/Pool/Reuters.
A relic of the Aghia Lavra banner, associated with the start of the Greek revolution, was featured for the first time in the annual parade.
Following a dawn ceremony at the Acropolis, the centre of Athens was heavily guarded and a carpet of blue and white flowers forming a Greek flag was spread out over Syntagma Square, the scene of riots during the crisis.
