Giramondo have announced the publication of a new literary memoir John Berger and Me, written by the eminent Australian sociologist Nikos Papastergiadis.
The book is due to be released on 1 August 2024, but you can also preorder now.
In John Berger and Me, Papastergiadis recalls his relationship with the late English writer and art critic John Berger. His memoir is both a portrait of their friendship, and an account of the work of his former mentor, one which combines Berger’s abiding interest in migrants and migration, with Papastergiadis’ reflections on his own family’s experience of migration.
Nikos Papastergiadis. Photo: Vicky Bell.Cover of ‘John Berger and Me.’
Berger was a successful author and artist who lived in England before he moved to a peasant village in the Haute-Savoie. Papastergiadias’ father was born in a peasant village in Greece and migrated to work in factories in Australia. The memoir covers a period of ten years in the 1990s when the younger Nikos spent many summer months with the distinguished author, living in the family house and sharing duties such as the gathering of the harvest. It draws on personal memories, his deep knowledge of Berger’s work, which was the subject of his doctoral thesis, and anecdotes of life in the village, and beyond.
As Papastergiadis writes in his author note, “this book reflects my time with John and seeks to explore the parallels with my own father, who was also called John.”
The intertwining of their common experiences means that the book is both a biography and an autobiography, as well as a tribute to one of the most significant cultural thinkers of recent times.
The Greek Australian garden guru said he was “honoured” to be this year’s subject, and encouraged submissions ranging from paint and charcoal to recycled sculpture and soils.
“This is a really, really special moment,” he said.
From August, physical artworks will be displayed in the ABC Brisbane office foyer. The winning artwork will later be hung as part of the Brisbane Portrait Prize exhibition at the State Library of Queensland.
To enter, email a photo of your original artwork to thebradley@abc.net.au – along with required information such as your name and a brief blurb. Alternatively, artwork can be dropped or couriered to the ABC Brisbane office at 114 Grey Street, South Brisbane, which is open 24 hours.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) and its allies, including a coalition of Greek, Cypriot (SEKA Victoria), Assyrian, Kurdish and Christian bodies, have announced that their joint grassroots advocacy over the last 48 hours resulted in Victorian MPs abandoning plans to establish a Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan group.
Late on Monday, June 17, the ANC-AU was dismayed to received information from its sources that Natalie Suleyman MP (Labor) and David Southwick MP (Liberal) had sent out a mass email to Victorian parliamentarians inviting them to the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan in the Victorian Parliament.
Immediately, the ANC-AU’s advocacy kicked into gear, calling on friends, allies, and state and federal members of parliament across the political aisle to demand Suleyman and Southwick withdraw the invitation and for Members of Parliament to boycott the meeting, in light of Azerbaijani dictatorship’s appalling human rights record.
As recently as September 2023, the authoritarian regime of Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed the over 120,000 indigenous Christian Armenian population of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), after laying a total siege of that self-determined republic for over 10 months despite calls from the International Court of Justice and the international community to lift the siege. Many Armenian POWs and political leaders of Artsakh remain in jails in Baku with reports of torture. Meanwhile, there are various documented instances of the destruction and desecration of Armenian cultural and religious institutions in Artsakh under Azerbaijani occupation.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have already fought two wars over Karabakh in three decades.
Within 24 hours, nine civil society bodies, including the Assyrian National Council Australia, the Australian Assyrian Arts and Literature Foundation, the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, the Australian Hellenic Council – Victoria, Christian Faith and Freedom Inc, the Victorian Council of Churches, Federation of Democratic Kurdish Society – Australia, SEKA Victoria (the Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee), and Return to Anatolia delivered strong statements to all elected officials encouraging the calls of the peak public affairs body of the Armenian Australian community.
In addition, the ANC-AU’s first responders in Victoria played a crucial role in sending hundreds of emails and making calls demanding their local Members of Parliament, the Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan and the Leader of the Opposition John Pesutto to actively oppose the formation of the group.
Throughout the course of the day, the ANC-AU welcomed a statement from the Victorian Greens published in their website, which stated, “The Victorian Greens MPs will not attend the inaugural meeting of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan scheduled for 19 June and urge other members of parliament not to attend as it could send a message of endorsement of the actions of the state of Azerbaijan.”
ANC-AU Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian received a call at approximately 4:00pm from the Leader of the Opposition’s office informing the organisation that the community’s concerns had been heard and that the planned meeting was cancelled.
‼️BREAKING‼️IT’S OFFICIAL: PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF AZERBAIJAN IN VICTORIA CANCELLED DUE TO OBJECTIONS TO HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
— Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) (@ANCaustralia) June 21, 2024
The ANC-AU expressed its deep appreciation to all members of the Parliamentary Friends of Armenia in Victoria, who echoed their concerns, in particular, Co-Chairs Ann-Marie Hermans MP (Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region), Michael Galea MP (Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region) and Secretary Kim Wells MP (Member for Rowville), as well as the civil society bodies who amplified the demands.
“There should be no place for agents of a foreign dictatorship in the hallways of the Victorian Parliament or any other parliament of Australia. Any such attempt to establish a Parliamentary Friends of Azerbaijan will provide a platform for the brutal petro-dictatorship to whitewash and sanitise in Australia their Armenophobic hatred and genocidal policies,” Mr Kolokossian said.
“We strongly suggest that her electorate should hold Ms Suleyman to account at the next election as she seems to want to be more the Member for the nationalist interests of Azerbaijan and Turkey in Victoria than for the seat of St Albans.
“Today, this broad-based grass-roots advocacy by various communities and sectors of our society have sent a very loud and clear message that the foreign influence of such despotic regimes are not welcome and will not be countenanced in Australia.”
Chef George Calombaris is bringing back his Greek street food favourite Gazi after five years.
Famous for its original feta chips, Gazi will be popping up at Calombaris’ The Hellenic House Project restaurant at Highett in Melbourne, Victoria in July.
Calombaris told The Herald SunGazi “was such a great part of Melbourne’s hospitality scene” and he decided to bring it back to remember “the nostalgia of the good old days.”
“The team is super pumped. Gazi was delicious and fun. So, very excited to bring it back this July,” he said.
Gazi will takeover the Hellenic’s downstairs ‘kitchen’ and upstairs ‘good room’ with a month-long menu that won’t break the bank.
People can expect some of the originals to return including feta chips and prawn kataifi with tarama, alongside new $20 “all you can eat” souvas and lunch deals.
The project started in 2022 and included a high-analysis scan of Hagia Sophia, using the latest scanning techniques.
Turkey has created a “digital twin” of Hagia Sophia. Screenshot from TRT Haber.
The scan has now been stored in a database so that it can be used if Hagia Sophia ever needs to be accurately rebuilt in the event of the monument collapsing from an earthquake or other disaster.
The database will also store a number of newly written academic papers and books on Hagia Sophia and its construction.
Scientists working on the project said this database can help protect Hagia Sophia without disrupting its historic characteristics and properties, or destroying its “excellent structure.”
Cyprus reacted with incredulity on Thursday after the head of Lebanon’s Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah threatened to consider the island nation as a “part of the war” should it continue to allow Israel to use its airports and bases for military exercises.
President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides stressed that the island nation “is in no way involved” in any military operations in the region or elsewhere, and said Nasrallah’s statements were “not pleasant.”
Christodoulides added that there were avenues of communication with both Lebanon and Iran “through diplomatic means.”
The European Union also weighed in, with a spokesperson telling Reuters that “any threats against our member state are threats against the EU.”
Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides. Photo: Cyprus Mail.
In response to backlash, Lebanon’s government appeared to try to contain any possible fallout from Nasrallah’s comments.
A Cypriot source told Reuters that Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati contacted Christodoulides on Thursday to thank him for his measured diplomatic response, referring to Christodoulides as a “dear friend.”
Foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib also spoke to his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos to highlight Lebanon’s “continued reliance” on the role Cyprus has played in regional stability, according to a statement by Bou Habib’s office.
Officials in Cyprus made clear they did not want to pursue the matter further.
The festival will run from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, October 6. It will feature Greek master of Zeibekiko dance, Christos Shakallis, all the way from Cyprus, and well-respected Yiannis Pagkozidis, who will be teaching traditional forms of Zeibekiko, Aptalikous and Karsilamades dances. Mr Pagkozidis is also a specialist in Cappodician song and dance.
Yiannis Pagkozidis.Christos Shakallis.
The objective of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia is to explore the history of the Zeibekiko family of dances and their direct connection to Asia Minor culture and history – including the Asia Minor Catastrophe. It aims to help people understand the true origins of Zeibekiko, to learn about the group of traditional Zeibekiko dances that exist, to study their evolution, and to celebrate Zeibekiko in its current form.
Sophia Ventouris, the curator of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, told The Greek Herald that she feels “Zeibekiko dance carries the history of the Asia Minor Catastrophe” and hopes the festival will enlighten and be enjoyed by the wider community.
What to expect from the 2nd Zeibekiko Festival Australia
Christos Shakallis performing a Zeibekiko at last year’s Zeibekiko Festival Australia. Photo copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
During the festival, Mr Shakallis will hold specialised classes for beginners, but also catering for more advanced levels. He will teach women-only and men-only classes, as well as classes for children and dance groups. A Cypriot dance workshop is guaranteed as Shakallis runs one of the most successful dance schools in Cyprus.
From Greece, the well-respected Yiannis Pagkozidis will honour the Zeibekiko dance in its traditional form at the festival. Mr Pagkozidis specialises in traditional Asia Minor dances, especially from Cappadocia, and including all forms of traditional Karsilamades, Aptalikous, traditional Zeibekiko dances and Pontian dances. He is of Pontian heritage and a musician that has played alongside many well-known performers includingRoss Daly and Chronis Aidonidis.
Yiannis Pagkozidis has performed with many well-known and talented musicians.
While Mr Pagkozidis is in Sydney, he will also give a special workshop dedicated to learning Greek dances from Cappadocia and Pontus.
Besides all of these dance workshops to look forward to, the Zeibekiko Festival Australia will involve musical nights with local talents and dance groups. Ms Ventouris is calling on local talents (young or old, an artist, musician, writer, dancer or even a photographer) to reach out if they are interested in taking part in the festival.
There will be a formal Gala Opening of the 2nd Zeibekiko Festival Australia on Saturday, September 28 at the Mytilenian House in Canterbury, Sydney. Titled ‘ΕΝΝΕΑ ΟΓΔΟΑ 9/8‘ (the time signature for Zeibekiko dance), the massive function will feature live music and a show by Shakallis and Pagkozidis, as well as local bands and dance groups showcasing traditional and modern forms of Zeibekiko, Aptaliko and Karsilama dances.
The Zeibekiko Festival Australia will also go to Melbourne and Adelaide this year. Dates, times of events and ticket sales will all available via Try Booking or the Zeibekiko Festival Australia website from July 1st 2024.
If you wish to be a sponsor of this event, or contribute as a performer, business partner or volunteer please call Sophia Ventouris on 0413 114 930. The Greek Herald are proud media partners for this event.
Devout followers of the Greek Orthodox faith will attend a special church service known as ‘Psihosavato’ today to remember loved ones who have passed.
I attended a ‘prosphoro’ making session last year at my local Adelaide church for The Greek Herald.
For as long as I can remember, my mum Fotini has kept track of ‘Psihosavata’ (Saturday of the Souls) and would make prosphora to take to church. She would tell me that on those days the souls of the departed come back to visit us and that it was important to make an offering in the form of a prosphoro to honour the memory of people we have lost.
This ‘Psihosavato’ is the first one of the year. Another three are held before Orthodox Easter and one afterwards.
On this day, parishioners can take a prosphoro (bread) or kolyva (boiled wheat which symbolises eternal life) to their local church. Both the prosphoro and kolyva are shared in memorial services for ‘Psihosavata.’
The writer’s first attempt at making prosphoro.The end product.
During the service, plates of kolyva and prosphora are placed on designated tables. By the table where the kolyva are, a candle is lit and during the service the priest will read out the names of the departed to pray for them. These names are provided by family members to church helpers before the service.
Learning to bake a prosphoro has always been on my ‘to do’ list. I thought I would eventually learn from my mum who was skilled at it. Sadly, I left it too late. The recipe and tips that I hoped I’d learn are now lost. Her memory has faded and so has her strength.
So, when I found out Father John Choraitis, from the Greek Orthodox Parish of the Prophet Elias – Norwood and Eastern suburbs, was running a session for parishioners I was keen to attend.
Creating memories. Martina Simos with her mum.Father John Choraitis.Baking appeals to all ages.
I have made bread countless times so that helped with the kneading part and I did more research on the significance and rituals that involved prayers during the making of prosphora.
Prosphoro: Its meaning and how to make it
Prosphoro is made from wheat flour (white), yeast, salt, and water.
Preparing to make one or two prosphora takes time and requires a spiritual commitment involving prayers. Any member of the church may bake prosphora to take to their church at any service.
The joy of baking together.Parishioners learning the art of prosphoro making.Learning customs early.Pip Klimentou and Fotini Simos.Introduction to prosphoro session.
The utensils, ingredients, an icon, candle, incense and prayer instructions are laid out together and with ingredients carefully measured out. The utensils must only be used for the preparation of the prosphoro and not for other cooking purposes. Pouring the water in the flour is done in the sign of the cross.
Prayers – Praying whilst making prosphoro is part of the process. Some starting and closing prayers can be found on this link.
Light – A candle can be lit and incense can be used while reciting prayers.
The ‘sfragitha’ (or wooden stamp) – A circular wooden seal with specially carved motifs of significance. Once the bread has risen, the ‘sfragitha’ is pressed firmly to ensure the motif will be visible once it is baked. This is important as there is a specific way the priest cuts the prosphoro. Seals come in different sizes and many wooden ones are hand carved by monastics.
Tips on using the sfragitha.
Piercing the seal – There are many variations and this link explains how to pierce the seal and why.
Cutting the prosphoro – The priest will cut parts of the prosphoro and are placed on a paten in preparation to be used in the Holy Eucharist. The centre of the seal is cut out first – the square portion that says “IC, XC, NIKA (Jesus Christ Conquers). This becomes the body of Christ and is referred to as the Lamb.
Prosphoro recipe(Bake the day before)
Ingredients
5 level cups plain flour
1 1/4 teaspoons level dried yeast
1 level teaspoon salt
2 cups of warm water (keep extra half a cup of warm water extra if needed)
Method
Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Create a well in the centre.
Add the dissolved yeast to the flour mixture.
Mix well.
Sprinkle flour on a clean board/table/bench and begin to knead the dough until it becomes smooth and stiff.
Shape the dough into a round ball and flatten. Place it in a floured baking pan (30cms) or line with baking paper.
Cover with plastic for 20-30 minutes to allow to rest and rise. If it’s a cold day it may take longer.
Dip a brush into flour and brush the top of the dough.
Firmly press the sfragitha in the centre for a few seconds and then take it off.
Prick the sfragitha.
Cover the dough with plastic and allow it rest for 20- 30 mins until it has risen.
Switch oven on 200 degrees Celsius.
Lower the oven temperature to 180 degrees.
Bake up to 45- 60 mins so that the bread is firm.
Place the prosphoro on a cooling rack.
Once the prosphoro has cooled, cover with a clean cloth to take to church.
Note: There are recipe and procedural variations on prosphoro baking. This is the recipe the writer followed.
The island of Crete became the centre of a significant battle during World War II when in May 1941 Germany invaded the island because of its strategic importance. For 10 long days, the troops and civilians fought hard to resist the Germans.
Their combined bravery resulted in a surrender, but over the next four years the local people helped many Australian soldiers who did not get the order to evacuate. Many headed to the mountains, refusing to accept defeat while others joined the local resistance fighting the German occupiers. During these times a close bond of friendship was established between the Cretans and Australians that continues to this day.
This year, Cretan committees from Australia and New Zealand held various events in May and June to commemorate the significance of the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Crete. These community and church events also paid tribute to the bravery of Cretan civilians, Australian, British and New Zealand troops in the fight for freedom.
Recently, the Cretan Association of South Australia also held a dinner dance to commemorate the 83rd anniversary event, with more than 120 guests attending.
President Pantelis Fridakis said remembering the valour and resilience shown by Australians and the local civilians during the ‘harrowing days’ in May 1941, is important.
“The battle exemplifies the indomitable spirit of the Cretan people who alongside Allied forces, displayed extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming odds,” he said.
“We pay tribute to the heroes who fought for freedom on Crete’s rugged terrains and honour their legacy of bravery and sacrifice.”
President of the Cretan Association SA – Pantelis Fridakis (centre).Original committee member Dimitra Moutakis with her daughter in law Ginet and grand-daughter Pia.
Guests were entertained by the Cretan Association dance group and with traditional Cretan music by Melbourne musicians George Vardakis (lyre/vocals), George Rerakis (laouto/askobundoura) and Alexis Mountakis from Sydney who played the laouto instrument.
Local band Fix Life with Kevin Amanatidis (bouzouki), Michael Papacharalampous (clarinet), George Kalamatianos (vocals) and Peter Stamatopoulos (keyboards) also performed a mixture of songs.
Performers from the dance group of the Cretan Association of SA were Giorga Mitzi, Anatoly Georgaras, Photini Frazelas, Maria Georgaras, Rafaela Bouras, Panayiotis Koliakoudakis, Steven Ward, Yianni Mitzithras, Yianni Papazis and Andrew Frangos.
As a 16-year-old, Mr Fridakis recalled dancing at a Battle of Crete dance and hopes to see the next generation following in his footsteps to participate and perform at commemorative events to keep Greek and Cretan traditions alive.
“I feel it is my duty to keep the doors open to the younger generations coming through so they too can have the same opportunity I had,” he said.
“Keeping the Cretan culture alive for future generations is important to me because it is what connects us to our history.”
Mr Fridakis is keen to hear from young people with Cretan ancestry to become involved with future event planning. Contact Pantelis Fridakis on 0416 947 817.
The Samian Brotherhood of Sydney & New South Wales ‘Lykourgos’ have acquired a dual-level property located at Kingsgrove for $3.9 million.
The asking price for the property was $4.5 million. It is situated at 61-65 Kingsway, Kingsgrove and offers easy access for the Samian community to enjoy events.
In a letter to members, President of the Samian Brotherhood Emanuel Valageorgiou said the property was purchased on May 1, 2024 after thorough inspections and negotiations.
Mr Valageorgiou said the ground floor of the property would be renovated to be used as the new headquarters of the Samian Brotherhood.
The Samian Brotherhood of Sydney’s new property is situated at 61-65 Kingsway, Kingsgrove.
“Expect a modern, open-plan design that caters to our meetings and activities. Plus, there’s a covered outdoor area at the back for those warmer days,” the Samian President said.
Mr Valageorgiou said the upper level of the property is currently leased to an accounting firm and will ensure steady rental income.
“We can’t wait to invite you to our new home,” he added. “Thank you for being part of this exciting chapter in our organisation’s journey. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to us.”
