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“Not an epilogue but a starting point,” Consul General of Greece in Melbourne on Gold Cross bestowment

Argyro Vourdoumpa
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“Not an epilogue but a starting point,” Consul General of Greece in Melbourne on Gold Cross bestowment

During a church service at St Spyridon’s church in Clayton, Melbourne last Friday, the outgoing Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, was awarded The Gold Cross of St. Andrew and an honorary diploma for his devotion to the church and Greek ideals.

The Cross, given to Mr Michalopoulos by His Grace Bishop Emilianos, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, is the highest award of recognition given by the Archdiocese to people who have offered lifelong service.

“The Archdiocese of Australia reserved a great honour for me. The award is in recognition of my three years of service in Melbourne and the efforts I made to promote the needs of the Greek community. However, I do not see this award as an epilogue, but as a starting point for new initiatives and as a responsibility to meet the great honour bestowed on me,” Mr Michalopoulos tells The Greek Herald.

READ MORE: Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitrios Michalopoulos, receives church medal.

“In the life of a Greek diplomat the contact with Hellenism around the globe is not limited by time or locale, it is one of constant challenge to which we are called to respond to. The recognition I received from the Archdiocese strengthens and encourages me in my next steps. My heartfelt thanks to the Archbishop of Australia.”

Asked about the experiences he will take with him, Mr Michalopoulos says that the time he served in Victoria, will remain engraved in his memory due to the dynamic spirit of Hellenism in Melbourne and its impact to the wider Greek Australian community. 

“I met successful people, who excelled, each in their own fields and who never forgot the place where their ancestors were born. I would like the relations between the Greek diaspora and Greece to remain strong, in a spirit of mutual respect and national solidarity.

“On a more personal level, Melbourne is a very beautiful city, with the right infrastructure, a high level of higher education and a thriving economy. In other words, it is Athens as it should be. I hope, then, that these memories will soon become a reality in the homeland,” Mr Michalopoulos concluded as he is getting ready to embark on another journey in his career.

The Greek Herald would like to thank him for his service. 

Historic tobacco factory in Athens to be renovated into cultural centre by 2021

Andriana Simos
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Historic tobacco factory in Athens to be renovated into cultural centre by 2021

An old tobacco factory in Athens is about to become a cultural centre to mark the 200th anniversary of Greece’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire.

The Lenorman Street Tobacco Factory, designed by civic architects Pavlos Athanasakis and Antonis Ligdopoulos between 1927 and 1930, was declared a historic monument by the Greek Ministry of Culture in 1989.

Half of the building, which comprises a city block, is currently home to the library of the Hellenic Parliament. 

Inside the tobacco factory. From left: Dimitris Daskalopoulos, the founder Neon; Constantine A. Tassoulas, the resident of the Hellenic Parliament; Elina Kountouri, the director of NEON; and Fanis Kafantaris from Neon’s Exhibition Design Department Photo: © Efi Syrigou; courtesy of the Hellenic Parliament and Neon.

But converting the rest of the premises into a cultural centre will cost €1 million ($1.2 million) in renovations, which are being funded by Neon, a Greek art foundation established in 2013 by collector Dimitris Daskalopoulos.

With renovations set to be complete in 2021, the centre will open next year with an exhibition, Portals­, featuring international artists including Michael Rakowitz, Glenn Ligon and Danh Vo.

“I was thinking, how do you make this historical event relevant 200 years after it happened, without making it a nationalist celebration because this is always a danger when a nation celebrates their past,” Director of Neon, Elina Kountouri, tells The Art Newspaper.

Constantine A. Tassoulas, the President of the Hellenic Parliament, added that the renovation is also “inspired by the Greece of today.”

“This artistic event… is organised by a partnership between the private and public sector, and it is addressed to a public that will freely shape its own interpretation,” Tassoulas said in a statement.

At the exhibition’s conclusion, Neon will return the venue back to the state for use as a permanent cultural center.

Greek government says continuation of Greek Studies at La Trobe is a ‘top priority’

Andriana Simos
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Greek government says continuation of Greek Studies at La Trobe is a ‘top priority’

In a letter sent to the Greek Community of Melbourne on December 9, Greece’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Kostas Vlasis, expressed the Greek Government’s assurances they will do everything possible for the continuation of the Greek Studies Program at La Trobe University in Melbourne.

“The continuation of the Greek Studies Program is a top priority, because it has for us, the Hellenism of Victoria and also the Greek community in Australia, a substantial and special emotional value,” Mr Vlasis writes in his letter.

The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister then congratulated the Community’s “huge and crucial effort,” which led to the “agreement in principle” with the university to maintain the program.

“The submission of proposals to the University with the aim of finding a solution immediately, the collection of the necessary resources for the financial support of the Program, the collection of signatures, the sending of protest letters to each involved body, the submission of relevant questions at State and Federal level, were a determining factor in resolving the impasse,” the letter continues.

Full Letter IN GREEK below:

Melbourne’s Greek community concerned about Greek program at Lalor primary school

Andriana Simos
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Melbourne’s Greek community concerned about Greek program at Lalor primary school


On the grounds of Lalor North Primary School in Melbourne, students have been immersing themselves in the Greek language and culture for 43 years.

It has operated as a three classroom structure until 2019, however, the Victorian Government has since announced that there will be no extra funding allocated to the Bilingual Program to enable this specific structure.

This news has raised concerns for the future of the program.

The parents of the Greek Bilingual Program at Lalor North Primary School have written to Victoria’s Education Minister, James Merlino, calling the move “unacceptable.”

The parents of the Greek Bilingual Program at Lalor North Primary School have written to Victoria’s Education Minister, James Merlino.

“We are extremely disappointed with this decision and we find it unacceptable. We are now seeking your intervention…” the letter reads.

“So far, the School leadership (Principal and Deputy Principal) have been unsympathetic towards our proposal to the point that they have been implementing a well-planned and refined campaign by being non-consultative, stalling the process, intimidating teaching staff, not providing resources and alienating themselves from the School community.”

READ MORE: Australia’s only Greek Bilingual Program for primary students has been operating for 43 years.

The letter goes on to say that if the program operates in the current structure, based on two classrooms, “it will be to its detriment and it may not survive beyond 2021.”

“It will be very hard to attract new students to a program which has a two classroom structure and is under resourced. It will not be an attractive proposition,” the letter states as one reason, adding that “parents of existing students are seriously considering taking their children to other schools since the Bilingual program is not adequately supported and it is under resourced.”

Following this letter between the parents of the Greek Bilingual Program, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Education Convenor and Vice President, Theo Markos, says he will also voice the Community’s concerns with Minister Merlino.

“The Greek Community of Melbourne shares your concerns and disappointment with the decision of the Education Department not to support the 3 classroom model that existed at Lalor North primary until 2019 with exemplary success,” Theo Markos says in a statement to parents.

“I will be writing to the Minister in hope of facilitating a meeting with parent representatives.”

The Greek Herald has reached out to the school for comment.

Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev win the Hessian Peace Prize 2020

Andriana Simos
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Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev win the Hessian Peace Prize 2020

Former Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, have been awarded the Hessian Peace Prize 2020 for settling the name dispute between the two states.

Tsipras and Zaev settled the name dispute between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece with the Prespa Agreement on February 12, 2019.

The little Balkan country north of Greece was officially named North Macedonia and gained membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

READ MORE: Leaders of Greece and North Macedonia discuss Prespa Agreement.

“With the Hessian Peace Prize, we are honoring two people who have worked for peace and international understanding and who succeeded in resolving a conflict that goes back deep into history,” Boris Rhein, President of the Landtag, said after the award was announced.

Former Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras (right), and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev (left), have been awarded the Hessian Peace Prize 2020.

“The two of them… reached an agreement in the decades-long conflict between their countries, Greece and Macedonia, over the name ‘Macedonia.’ In doing so, they achieved a truly diplomatic feat that no one had managed before.”

Board of Trustees member, Professor Dr Nicole Deitelhoff, added that Tsipras and Zaev “out their political careers at risk” to settle the name dispute.

READ MORE: Alexis Tsipras congratulates North Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev on election victory.

“Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras have departed from the pattern of insisting on maximum positions and ruling out agreement as defeat or treason,” Professor Deitelhoff said.

“In doing so, they put their political careers at risk and had to negotiate numerous compromises as well as concessions within their parliaments.

“The agreement is accompanied by the hope of good cooperation and partnership between North Macedonia and Greece. The settlement of the dispute is an example of reconciliation in the region and Europe as a whole.”

READ MORE: Greek businesses unite to further interests in North Macedonia.

The Hessian Peace Prize was established in 1993 by Albert Osswald, the former Prime Minister of the German state of Hesse.

It is awarded annually to people who have rendered “outstanding services to international understanding and peace.”

Turkey issues fresh NAVTEX warnings demanding demilitarisation of 6 Greek islands

The Greek Herald
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Turkey issues fresh NAVTEX warnings demanding demilitarisation of 6 Greek islands

The Turkish navy on Sunday evening issued three navigational (NAVTEX) warnings demanding the demilitarisation of the Greek islands of Samothraki, Lemnos, Chios, Samos, Tilos and Halki.

The move came after European Union leaders last week failed to agree on solid sanctions against Turkey over its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, reports Monday said that the Oruc Reis research vessel has left the port of Antalya and is steering on a southwest course within Turkish territorial waters.

Tensions flared this year after Ankara sent its Oruc Reis seismic survey ship into disputed waters, escorted by gunboats, to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling.

Source: Ekathimerini.

US imposes sanctions on Turkey over purchase of Russian missile system

The Greek Herald
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US imposes sanctions on Turkey over purchase of Russian missile system

The Trump administration slapped sanctions on Turkey on Monday over a multibillion-dollar acquisition of a Russian missile system.

The sanctions, announced by the US Treasury, targeted Turkey’s defense procurement agency, known as the Presidency of Defense Industries, and its senior officials, including its president.

The long-anticipated move is expected to further stoke tensions between Washington and Ankara in the weeks ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s ascension to the White House and send a message to foreign governments considering future weapons deals with Russia.

Turkey acquired the missile defense system, known as the S-400, in July 2019.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan during a joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 13, 2019. Photo: Reuters/Joshua Roberts/File Photo.

The purchase violated a sweeping sanctions law passed in the summer of 2017 by wide margins in the House and Senate to force Trump to be tougher on Russia. Trump, who wanted to avoid an embarrassing veto override, begrudgingly signed the law.

The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA, targeted Iran, North Korea and Russia, requiring sanctions on any country that made a “significant purchase” of defense equipment from Moscow.

“Today’s action sends a clear signal that the United States will fully implement CAATSA Section 231 and will not tolerate significant transactions with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

“I also urge Turkey to resolve the S-400 problem immediately in coordination with the United States.

“Turkey is a valued Ally and an important regional security partner for the United States, and we seek to continue our decades-long history of productive defense-sector cooperation by removing the obstacle of Turkey’s S-400 possession as soon as possible,” he added.

Monday’s sanctions include banning all US export licenses to Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, also known as SSB, as well as freezing the assets of and banning US visas for its president Ismail Demir and other senior officials.

Source: ABC News.

Themos Mexis to musically direct the new National Metropolitan Choir of Australia

Andriana Simos
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Themos Mexis to musically direct the new National Metropolitan Choir of Australia

Popular Greek composer and conductor, Themos Mexis, has been appointed Musical Director of the new National Metropolitan Choir of Australia.

The new choir has been formed under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and Themos was specially selected to direct it by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

“In March this year, I met with His Eminence and he proposed the choir idea to me and said, ‘We would like you to take it on board. Are you willing?’ and I said, ‘Yes I am able and willing, thank you for the honour’,” Themos tells The Greek Herald exclusively.

Themos Mexis conducting an augmented Rodos Municipal Concert Orchestra and the Rodos Mixed Choir in Rodos, Greece in 2011. Photo supplied.

“I was absolutely over the moon. I’ve been in the music field for the last 50 years now, so it was incredible.”

Since then, with the support of Father Steven Scoutas from St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford, Themos has been working hard to gather enough choristers to perform for the first time next year in Constantinople.

“The idea is for the first performance of the choir to be held in Constantinople next year for the 30th anniversary since the enthronement of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,” Themos says.

“We’re aiming for an 80-piece choir… accompanied by an 85-piece symphony orchestra. So it’s quite a large program.”

Applications to join the choir are now open online, with both males and females, 18 years of age and over, encouraged to register. All the music, originally composed by Themos himself, will be in Greek but knowledge of the language is not essential.

“Everyone who is interested in singing can apply… The only reason we’re looking for people over the age of 18 is because when travelling (for our first performance), we don’t want the responsibility of younger people. But the choir that will continue after that is open for all ages,” Themos explains.

The Themos Mexis Orchestra and Choir in 1995 on the occasion of the visit of Mikis Theodorakis and Maria Farandouri. Photo supplied.

“People also don’t have to speak Greek and they don’t have to have knowledge of music. We will do all that for them. I’ve written all the music and I’ve got all the words in Latin characters underneath, so it makes it quite easy.”

Themos has been an active composer since 1972, performing his own music in various concert halls in Australia, Cyprus, Trieste and Greece. His ‘Mexis in Concert’ also became a fixture of the Australian cultural events calendar since 1976, always drawing large audiences.

With such an impressive resume, the National Metropolitan Choir of Australia is sure to be a huge success!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Choir rehearsals have already begun in the hall of St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Kingsford.

If you would like to attend, on Wednesday, December 16 at 6.55pm, the women altos will be rehearsing for about 40 minutes, followed by the women sopranos at 7.55pm. On Thursday, December 17 at 6.55pm, the men will rehearse, followed by the women altos again at 7.55pm.

To register for the choir, please visit: www.nmca.org.au or for further information, you can contact: Ellie Mexis on 0404 378 745 or Father Scoutas on 0417 771 113.

Greek Australian, Jasmin Pilatos, wins the TWT Excellence Prize

Andriana Simos
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Greek Australian, Jasmin Pilatos, wins the TWT Excellence Prize

Keep the name Jasmin Pilatos on your radar as one to watch, after the University of New South Wales Art & Design student was awarded the TWT Excellence Prize at the A&D ANNUAL exhibition. 

The A&D ANNUAL exhibition is the largest national showcase of graduate contemporary art and design, featuring more than 150 works across a range of disciplines including animation, film and sculpture.

Pilatos, who is a Bachelor of Media Arts (Honours) student at UNSW, was awarded the TWT Excellence Prize during the exhibition for her work Entasis.

“I feel really grateful given this year has been unpredictable and especially to have had support from family, friends, my tutor and fellow cohort,” Pilatos tells The Greek Herald.

Entasis (2020), Jasmin Pilatos.

Entasis is a moving image work which explores the relationship between natural light, illusion and architecture within everyday life.

Employing an abstract approach to film-making, the work is meditative and reflective, with a focus on interior spaces that resonates powerfully with the circumstances of 2020.

“The work is restricted to using only natural light to light through the scenes to explore the interactions of those themes,” Pilatos told local university media.

“The ultimate goal is to encourage the audience to re-evaluate the way they navigate the private and public spaces they share in the world.”

The winning work was selected by the 2020 judging panel comprised of UNSW Art & Design academic staff, esteemed artists and practitioners in the field led by Deputy Head of School (Design), Dr Mark Ian Jones, and Deputy Head of School (Art), Dr Grant Stevens.

As part of the TRT Excellence Prize, which has been generously supported since 2017 by the Bridging Hope Charity Foundation and TWT Property Group, Pilatos receives a $3000 bursary and studio at St Leonards Creative Precinct for a year.

Pilatos’ work, along with over 80 other projects from graduating creatives, is available to view at UNSW Galleries until 17 December 2020 and in the ANNUAL online gallery here.

Greek and Turkish musicians amaze during Sydney Opera House concert

Andriana Simos
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Greek and Turkish musicians amaze during Sydney Opera House concert

The magical music of Asia Minor was heard throughout the Sydney Opera House on Sunday as Greek and Turkish musicians gave a special concert to a sold-out crowd.

The concert, titled ‘Songs Without Borders,’ was held in the Utzon Room and featured songs performed in both Greek and Turkish to showcase the intermingled and diverse melodies and rhythms of Asia Minor culture.

READ MORE: Greek and Turkish musicians join forces to perform at the Sydney Opera House.

  • Photos by: Vasilis Vasilas.

The stars of the show were six talented musicians including, Ayșe Göknur Shanal and Georgette Giatis on vocals, Michael Platyrrahos on the Cretan lyra and lute, Kurdish musician, Deniz Şimşek, on the bağlama, Panayioti Kalandranis on the guitar and Kurdish musician, Adem Yılmaz, on percussion.

During the concert, audience members were amazed to see the bağlama playing alongside the Cretan lyra in a seamless performance.

In attendance on the night were also a number of Greek and Turkish dignitaries. Photo: Vasilis Vasilas.

In attendance on the night were also a number of Greek and Turkish dignitaries such as His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Martha Mavrommatis, Consul General of Greece, Christos Karras, Imam of the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, Bilal Aksoy, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Ali Sevim, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, Dundar Evliyaoglu, and the Consul General of the Russian Federation, Igor Arzhaev.

“The event was very successful and we are planning to do more in the new year,” musician Georgette Giatis tells The Greek Herald.

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