Ten Adelaide artists were invited to interpret the colour blue for South Australia’s Living Arts festival (SALA) which runs throughout the month of August.
The Essence of Blue exhibition was launched on Sunday, August 11 and its theme was developed by curator Joanna Tsalikis who invited local Adelaide artists to participate.
Essence of Blue art pieces.
Joanna has been involved in the local arts community for most of her life and has curated many exhibitions through her involvement with OEEGA (Organisation of Hellene and Hellene-Cypriot Women of Australia SA Inc).
While the colour blue can often be synonymous with Greece, Joanna said she was ‘cautious’ when discussing the context with the artists.
“Blue or the “Greek blue” is one perspective, but blue is very much a social construct and not exclusive to Greece,” she explained.
Art interpreting the colour blue.
“It features throughout the Mediterranean and indeed throughout the world in a myriad of ways; our perceptions of nature, of sea and sky, our built environments, our fashions, symbols and logos, divinity and royalty.
“It can also express the emotions as in “feeling blue” or even in music and the development of Blues and Jazz.”
The nine artists who were ‘headhunted’ by Joanna are: Anezoula (muralist and painter); Anne Allen (mosaics); Debra Good (photography); Ioanna (master painter); Harry Koutlakis (abstract muralist/painter); Helen Panagopoulos (unique fabrications/using a range of media); Annie Cousins (landscape painting); Niki Sperou (combining art and science) and Litsa Tourlis (jewellery).
Interpreting the colour blue.
Joanna, who also is exhibiting, was keen to include work from a diverse range of art skills from professional artists and not necessarily artists with a Greek background.
“I didn’t want to engage people just because they were Greek. In fact, three of them are not,” she said.
Self-taught jeweller Litsa has tried her hand at a range of art over the years including painting, ceramics, glasswork and clay modelling but loves working with the art of jewellery making.
Litsa started creating jewellery out of bits of wire for friends and it developed from there. Since then she has attended jewellery and silver workshops to improve her technique.
Her work has been exhibited at the South Australian Museum, the Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide, Pepper Street Arts Centre, Glendi Festival and a range of Hellenic events.
Litsa’s jewellery pieces.
For the Essence of Blue exhibition, Litsa has made necklaces, earrings, brooches pendants and tiaras – all with an ancient Greek theme. Her favourite piece is the dolphin necklace because of a historical connection – the fresco of dolphins in the ancient palace of Knossos (Crete).
“A lot of my work relates to Greek antiquity, inspired by the museum displays of fossils, pottery, and gold and silver pieces that I’ve seen over the years,” she said.
“I like the idea of creating art that you can wear, such as jewellery, because although each piece is unique, it might share a similar design so that other people can enjoy the theme of the work.
“It’s how I relax and wind-down. It’s a great way to de-stress.”
Essence of Blue is presented by OEEGA and SALA until August 31. Venue: Cowandilla Community Room (175 Donald Bradman Drive, Cowandilla, Adelaide).
K2 Asset Management’s head of research George Boubouras has remained optimistic after the market retreat last week that erased billions of dollars in market value.
Boubouras has shifted his focus on areas of the market that are set to gain from central banks cutting rates. These include mid-cap stocks in healthcare, transport and consumer-related sectors.
He also expects lower borrowing costs to light a fire under highly geared businesses in property, utilities and infrastructure, which have been underperforming.
Boubouras said investors should expect a “shallow easing cycle” from the Fed, marking a stark departure from most fund managers and economists who are expecting the US to drastically cut interest rates in response to a slowdown in the world’s largest economy.
Photo: Bianca de Marchi / AAP.
He has also reinforced his perspective that the US and Australian economy is headed for a soft landing, despite fears of a recession.
Melburnian Boubouras justified this stance stating companies’ earnings overall are in “reasonable” shape and Australia’s economy will be a key beneficiary as global growth picks up in one year’s time.
Boubouras predicted that Australia’s Reserve Bank will cut rates twice in the first half of 2025 and that the easing cycle could be elongated because of the soft landing he expects across the developed world.
“Rate cuts don’t have to be quick and aggressive… They can come down very slowly or risk core inflation will re-accelerate,” he said.
St George FC showed they still have some fight left in staying alive in the race against relegation following a 3-0 victory over a hapless Sydney Olympic which ended the Blues hopes of playing Finals football in 2024 at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday, August 10.
The first opportunity arrived in the 8th minute when a long ball towards goal by Michael Glassock was brought well under control by ‘keeper Mackenzie Syron under the crossbar.
A few minutes later the home side went close again with Glassock who headed powerfully just wide of the goal after receiving a precise corner from Sammy McIllhatton.
The first chance worth noting for St George FC was from their captain Troy Danaskos in the 14th minute. He created space down the left channel before firing a long-range shot just over the crossbar, even though goalkeeper Christopher Parsons always had that one in his sights.
In the 18th minute a corner from the right by Jaden Casella reached Conor Quilligan in the box who headed the ball onto the underside of the crossbar, but somehow the resulting bounce didn’t go over the goal line allowing Parsons to make a scrambling save through a dense forest of legs.
Sydney Olympic had a really great chance in the 27th minute when Teng Kuol squared the ball to Adam Parkhouse who, from close-range in the middle, flicked it towards goal only to be denied by a brilliant one-handed save from Syron who turned it over the crossbar for a corner.
In the 32rd a long ball by Glassock from the right reached Roy O’Donovan backpedalling in the far corner of the box but his header in the end was just wide of the mark.
The Sydney Olympic team. Photo: Takis Triadafillou / The Greek Herald.
St George FC then broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. An in-swinging corner by Casella reached Danaskos at the far post and the visiting captain simply headed it in through the tight gap near the post to give the visitors the lead.
Sydney Olympic really should have equalised just prior to the break when another long ball from Glassock which this time reached Parkhouse who fired towards goal, but he was denied by a magnificent diving save from Syron. The first half ended shortly afterwards with both sides deservedly earning a rest after an action-packed first stanza of play.
Sydney Olympic returned to field after the interval with a triple-substitution as coach Labinot Haliti tried to reshuffle his deck of cards and spruce up his side.
However, the first real opportunity of the second half was actually St George FC’s second goal in the 51st minute. A precise, long through ball from Quilligan in a counter-attacking move reached Justin Poon who beautifully finished off the move with a glancing shot from the left that beat ‘keeper Parsons.
Two minutes later Sydney Olympic came close to snatching one back when a cross from the left reached O’Donovan, but his header was just a fraction too high.
On the turn in the 72nd minute Jack Simmons tried his luck for Sydney Olympic and in the end his effort wasn’t too far over the goal.
In the 83rd minute St George FC replied when, from the by-line, a nice ball from Jesse Spang reached Chan Yelchan unmarked in the middle but he fired over the top in what perhaps wasn’t the greatest of finishes to round off such a nice move.
On the stroke of fulltime St George FC made it three to round off the scoring for the evening. Casella found the back of the net with a superb strike from just outside the box, after receiving an accurate assist from Anthony Morabito to send the visiting bench into raptures.
After the game in the St George FC dressing room the mood was jubilant and coach Steve Karavatakis was proud of his team.
“I am so excited for the boys,” he said.
“We have been working very hard in the last few weeks and the result didn’t go our way against Marconi, but it did tonight and it is starting to build now.
“Even though it is close to the end of the season we’ll happily take the crucial three points. Sydney Olympic is a very good team and if you look at them on paper I think they are one of the best teams, so we played good football to win.
“I am particularly proud of our work ethic, keeping possession, moving the ball quickly and we are playing the way we have been training which is very pleasing.”
On the other side of the fence the coach of Sydney Olympic Labinot Haliti, who rides every emotion of the game from the sidelines, was in a more sombre mood.
“Give them [St George FC] credit because they came in with a plan and they were good tonight,” he said. “We were off in the first half and we tried to change a few things, but it didn’t work. That’s the way it is sometimes.
“We weren’t ourselves tonight and we did try some things, but in the end I am disappointed for the boys after some really good work in the last nine weeks.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has announced that tickets for the Opening Night of the 29th Greek Film Festival are now on sale.
The festival, which will run from 15-27 October, opens this year with the Niarchos Thodoris’ feature Hear Who’s Talking.
The quirky comedy explores the story of Fotis, a life-coach whose own life has reached an impasse.
Fotis (Elias Meletis) is in a dead end both personally and professionally. A life coach, in his profession, who has lost his bearings. The sessions, which once fulfilled him professionally, no longer offer him the same inner satisfaction and he has also become completely isolated in his personal life. At this critical junction for himself and his career, a voice he is familiar with will take action, a voice he knows only in his head. Will Fotis be able to find… Fotis again and fall in love before all is lost?
The 29th Greek Film Festival in Melbourne will play across Palace Cinemas at their Astor Theatre, Palace Cinemas Balwyn, Palace Cinema Como and for the first time at Palace Pentridge in an expanded program.
It was a week where all fell into place for South Melbourne FC. Dockerty Cup champions, followed by a win against A League Wellington Phoenix and wrapping it up as Premiers for 2024.
Recently retired football director Andrew Mesourouni commented, “It’s always important for a club like South to win trophies. It’s in our DNA. Where it hurts most is when we don’t deliver silverware.”
“We have been competing at the top for the past few years, but this year it feels different. It feels right,” Mr Mesourouni added.
(L-R) Nick Maikousis, Esteban Quintas, Andrew Mesourouni and Bill Papastergiadis. Photo supplied.
“One step at the time. A week ago, we were competing for trophies, we have two in that time. So, the grand final needs to be our next goal to put things right. The past two years has been devastating. Then the big one. To be the first NPL club to win the Australia Cup. For South to win another national trophy.”
Michael Tsoukalis, long-time supporter, said, “this is arguably the best week at South Melbourne Football Club in a very long time. Dockerty Cup winners (last Saturday), progressing to the final 16 in the Australia Cup three days later against a full time professional franchise (Wellington Phoenix) in a match South controlled, and now wrapping up the league with a week to go.”
“Thank you to the board, players, coaching staff, volunteers, and of course the loyal fans who turn up irrespective of the occasion, these moments are for all South fans Australia-wide (and globally), but they no doubt feel extra special for those watching most if not every week,” Mr Tsoukalis added.
Club Chairman, Bill Papastergiadis said, “football transcends our daily lives and brings us closer to a dream state where one feels anything is possible. Hence this last week has locked us in a dream state at South Melbourne Hellas.”
“A week where we dared to dream and our players and coaches brought ultimate satisfaction and elation to the tribe of South supporters. We are proud of their achievements and thank Esteban our coach for his dogmatic approach,” Mr Papastergiadis said.
“Third success augurs well for the National Second Tier which is slated for 2025 as aspirational clubs like South Melbourne and fans throughout Australia are desperate for renewed competition. Football Australia must allow these clubs to grow and prosper and allow them to dream big.”
This too is the message of Tom Kalas, the architect of the National Second Tier, in his message to the club.
“Congratulations Bill, to the players, coaching staff and board. Great way to prepare for the new National League,” Mr Kalas said.
Club President Nick Maikousis was simple in his assessment, “Two trophies down, two more to go.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas has officially announced the termination of his coaching arrangement with father Apostolos having earlier criticised his tactics in a tense match and defeat against Kei Nishikori at the ATP Montreal on Thursday, August 8.
Declaring his decision on X, Tsitsipas said “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my cooperation with my father as a coach has come to an end… I prefer to keep my father in his role as a father, and only as a father.”
Σας ενημερώνω με βαριά καρδιά ότι η συνεργασία μου με τον πατέρα μου ως προπονητής έχει φτάσει στο τέλος της. Προτιμώ να κρατήσω τον πατέρα μου στον ρόλο του ως πατέρας, και μόνο ως πατέρας.
Η φιλοσοφία μας διδάσκει ότι η σοφία έρχεται μέσα από την κατανόηση των ορίων μας και…
Much-loved multicultural advocate Jack Passaris OAM has passed away at the age of 88.
Mr Passaris was well-known for his strong passion for multiculturalism and for the development of a culturally diverse society. He also held multiple positions on not-for-profit boards and community organisations.
From 2003 to December 2020, Mr Passaris was Chair of Multicultural Care, later serving as a Director on the Board. He was also a board member of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW (ECCNSW) and a Foundation and Life Member.
(File photo from 2019) Jack Passaris (right) was a huge advocate for multiculturalism.
At Marrickville Council, Mr Passaris was a former Deputy Mayor. He served for 19 years as a Councillor.
He was President of the Greek Orthodox Parish of Newtown for 46 years, and also held numerous positions at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Consolidated Trust (former Treasurer), and Foundation for Hellenic Studies UNSW (Trustee).
In 2009, Mr Passaris received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to the community and his ongoing dedication to multiculturalism in Australia and community life. In 2014, he was awarded the Premier’s Lifetime Multicultural Community Service Medal.
Mr Passaris will be laid to rest on Friday, August 16 at the Greek Orthodox Parish of Newtown at 10.30am.
Greek officials have warned people to limit their movements and stay indoors with their “windows closed” as poor air quality across the Attic basin has seen at least eight people rushed to hospital with respiratory problems amid wildfires on the outskirts of Athens.
“Forces are being continually reinforced but they face flames that in many cases exceed 25 metres [in height],” fire brigade spokesperson Vassileios Vathrakogiannis said.
While one fire in western Attica had been controlled, another north-east of Athens was still not contained. At least 10 communities around Varnavas, Attica had been evacuated and firefighters were expected to continue throughout the night.
Smoke blankets Athens as strong winds persist. Photo: Derek Gatopoulos / AP Photo.
Facing strong winds, 315 fire fighters with 10 teams of forest commandos, 98 vehicles, 15 fire-fighting airplanes and 11 helicopters as well as a large number of volunteers participated in the operation.
Their efforts were being assisted by digging machinery and water trucks from the Attica Region and the Armed Forces.
An outbreak of wildfires follows Greece’s record-breaking week-long heatwave before mid-June.
With strong winds persisting, at least half of Greece is expected to enter “red alert” conditions.
The Paris Olympic Games came to an end on Monday, August 12 with a star-studded closing ceremony in front of around 71,500 spectators at the Stade de France.
Around 270 artists and performers performed in the packed arena for an estimated 9000 athletes, who marched into the venue as the festivities got into full swing.
Team Hellas’ delegation was led by pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis and artistic swimmer Evangelia Platanioti. Karalis won a bronze medal in the pole vault, while Platanioti, competing in her fourth Olympics, finished sixth.
— Ηellenic Olympic Committee (@HellenicOlympic) August 11, 2024
Australian flag-bearers Kaylee McKeown and Matt Wearn, who both won gold in the French capital, led their teammates into the venue, while canoe slalom champion Jess Fox was inducted as a new member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
The opening segment of the ceremony festivities began with French swimmer Leon Marchand – winner of four gold medals at the Games – gathering the Olympic flame from the cauldron in the centre of Paris to begin its journey to Stade de France.
French rugby hero Antoine Dupont – who led the host nation to a rugby sevens gold medal in one of the early highlights of the Games – carried a tricolored flag into the Stade de France as partying athletes swarmed the field.
The ceremony also brought the Winged Victory of Samothrace in the stadium. The statue is one of few surviving from the ancient Hellenistic period. Representing the Greek goddess Nike (Victory), Winged Victory has been exhibited at the top of the central staircase of the Louvre Museum in Paris since 1884, when it was discovered on the island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace in the stadium. Photo: Getty Images.
Paris 2024 president Tony Eugene and IOC president Thomas Bach paid tribute to volunteers and spectators.
Following the official Olympic handover to Los Angeles, which will host the next edition of the Games in 2028, American musician H.E.R. performed the national anthem of the United States.
Next up, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise appeared on a flying fox, riding off with the Olympic flag on a motorbike as Red Hot Chili Peppers anthem ‘By The Way’ resonated in the background.
The Chili Peppers performed hit song ‘Can’t Stop’ from Venice Beach before pop sensation Billie Eilish whispered the chorus of ‘Birds of a Feather’.
The Closing Ceremony wrapped up with performance from hip-hop royalty Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
The ceremony follows 17 days of frequently breathtaking sporting action set against the backdrop of iconic Parisian landmarks from the Eiffel Tower to the Chateau de Versailles. Team Hellas won a total eight medals at the Paris Games, including one gold medal, one silver and six bronze.
As the anniversary of the second invasion of Cyprus approaches, Christakis Stylianou – former Prisoner Of War (POW) in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 – speaks for the first time about his traumatic experiences of captivity.
By Andrea Garivaldis
Each year when July and August come around, it is a solemn time for Christakis Stylianou when Cypriots around the world commemorate the horrific events of 1974.
Fifty years have now passed since the Turkish troops marched through Cypriot towns with their tanks, but the personal horrors of the second Turkish invasion are just as raw and vivid as they were the day they occurred for Mr Stylianou.
“The Turkish military were advancing and were triggering the second invasion in mid-August and the people received no warning,” he said.
“There were sounds of gunfire, heavy bombings, Turkish planes in the sky, and machine gun fire. Army reservists had to go to their training base, except for those who owned a petrol station.
“They had to remain at their petrol station and fuel emergency and military vehicles. The word was spread that anyone found with military uniforms, or any ammunition, would be executed. A lot of our own people turned into traitors and were revealing information to the Turkish military.”
Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974.
Mr Stylianou was on the front lines fighting alongside Major General Tasos Markou, who is highly regarded as one of Cyprus’ national heroes. Markou remains a Missing Person from the 1974 Turkish invasion to this day.
“I was in his unit and directly under Major General Tasos Markou and followed his orders. I was one of his right-hand men, driving him here and there in the car to visit camps, where he needed to take care of the transportation needs of soldiers exposed under the olive groves around Kythrea. I supported his movements, the army and the Cyprus police with transportation and refuelling vehicles,” he said.
“I saw a hero fight like a lion defending our homeland with a simple Martini rifle. Without weapons, he was defenceless in the heat of the war, while the Turkish troops were coming down the Pentadaktylos mountains and occupying the outposts.
“Tasos Markou protected us and kept us away from danger at times. He was responsible for the army in the area and ensured we felt safe under him. I am certain that his skilful management saved my life.”
Christakis Stylianou (circled) drives past Former President of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III.
The night before Mr Stylianou was captured, he went home, while leaving others to look after the petrol station.
“I had changed into civilian clothes from my military reservist uniform and the next day, on Wednesday 14 August 1974, I was driving to Nicosia to escape the fighting,” he said.
“I did this after ensuring that none of the soldiers were left behind in the village. Our family was split up among thousands of other Cypriots who were displaced in the conflict while escaping to safety. I drove my car to a location we were told we would find our soldiers to assist us, but we only found Turkish army where Greek military were known to be stationed.
“I was forced to leave my car in the town of Mia Milia, not too far from where the free areas are now. The Turkish military found my driver’s licence in my car, which was under my name Christakis Stylianou. At the time they did not have photo ID. Later, when I was captured while on foot with a group of others, a last-minute decision to use my grandfather’s name, Takis Mina, saved me from being executed. At the time I did not realise that I had saved myself from execution as the Turkish troops found military clothing in my car and were to execute the owner Christakis Stylianou.”
Mr Stylianou was then detained by Turkish armed forces and spent almost three months in Turkish concentration camps as a POW.
A dated file photo in 1974 shows Greek Cypriot soldiers taken prisoners of war by Turkish soldiers who invaded Cyprus following an ethnic bloodshed that erupted in the Mediterranean island. Photo: AFP/File Photo.
“The Turkish armed forces moved all the captured men by ship to Mersina, then we were put on trucks and transported to Adana, where we were kept for some days in the prisons under horrible conditions,” he said.
“We were blindfolded with our hands tied behind our backs most of the time. They then put us on buses and took us to Amasya. I think over 2,000 POWs had been illegally transferred from Cyprus and held in Turkish prisons.
“Those who were captured as POWs and kept in prison camps had to deal with harsh living conditions, enduring physical torture and maltreatment.
“Many of us were malnourished, severely wounded from regularly being beaten if we did not obey the most inhumane requests from the prison guards. We had to do physically demanding work and live in tough conditions and given little food. Just a small piece of bread and an olive was our average meal. The bread was usually half eaten by rats.
“Prisoners who attempted to escape from captivity were often executed. In Adana itself, the abuse was indescribable, and it was a test for human survival.
“The Turkish guards would kill rats and place them in our daily meal of legume soup and expect us captive prisoners to eat the same food for days. If we refused to eat it, the Turkish soldiers would strip us and beat us with a bat in front of everyone.”
Mr Stylianou recalls the daily bashings and whipping and how best friends would fight over a piece of bread.
“I remember how some men would distract each other so they can steal one another’s allocated meals, but we did rely on each other for support and survival,” he said.
In the 1974 BBC news footage inside Adana prison camp, where Mr Stylianou is also seen, the captive prisoners all said they were treated well by the Turkish army although it was not the case.
“What can I tell you, what else could we say? We were forced to say something positive under the fear of not being released and the risk of not returning to Cyprus. So, we declared that we were satisfied to avoid the dire consequences,” he said.
“We developed friendships as we had a common life experience of seeing the evil side of humans.
“After several days in Adana, they put us on buses and took us to Amasya, many hours away. With our eyes tied, we didn’t know where we were going. At Amasya, one of the guards, who we learned was from Trabzon, once took pity on me and gave me a candy. He tried to help me. He knew very little Greek. He told us that some ancestor of his was Greek. From such interpreters who knew some Greek, we were able to find out what was happening around us. The conditions in the prisons were again terrible, with beatings and hunger.
“Many of us POWs were exchanged by Cyprus and Turkey in late 1974, assisted by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“From the point where we were released at the checkpoint, we were transported by bus to the Filoxenia Hotel in Nicosia, where they gave us some clothes to wear and a meal. They also gave us an injection for the protection of others in case we brought any disease, and I was given one Cyprus pound.
“I was released on 28 October 1974 – after 75 days in captivity. I considered myself lucky to be in the last group of people to be released and eventually reached safety. I was out alive, but sadly some of those I befriended were escorted out and never seen again, as they had been executed. Those who were not fortunate to get out were either confirmed dead or listed as Missing In Action, and hundreds of others remained unaccounted for. The next task was to reunite with our displaced families who we had no contact with for months.
“The summer of 1974 brought a lot of emotional upheaval to many families including mine who were forced to leave our home, business and possessions and having to start a new life all over again as a refugee.
“After losing so many friends and comrades, I feel that it is a duty for me to honour the memory of all those who were captured and imprisoned along with myself and to remember those who were killed or still missing and did not make it back home to reunite with their displaced family.”
Although 50 years have passed, Mr Stylianou honours the memory of all the POWs who were captive with him and he lays a wreath here in Australia – on behalf of the Prisoners of War Association of Cyprus from the Turkish invasion of 1974 – at various Hellenic events, on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.
Although 50 years have passed, Mr Stylianou honours the memory of all the POWs who were captive with him and he lays a wreath here in Australia.
Mr Stylianou strives to ensure that his children and grandchildren have a passion for Cyprus and do not forget the service and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. His daughter, Dr Andrea Stylianou, academic and journalist, has written a research thesis with a European Union “Research Excellence Scholarship” on the topic of the Missing Persons of Cyprus and the Diaspora of Cypriots in Australia affected by the Turkish invasion of 1974.
“These commemorations are an emotional moment where I pay tribute to those who endured the gruelling conditions in the hands of the enemies and to the many who never returned. The dream of a free Cyprus will never die,” he said.
