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Dean Kalimniou presents ‘Pontus the Opera’ lecture in Melbourne

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Dean Kalimniou presents ‘Pontus the Opera’ lecture in Melbourne

This year’s Pontian Genocide Memorial Lecture, held on 16 May 2024, in a packed Greek Centre in Melbourne, was presented by author, lawyer and Greek Genocide recognition activist Dean Kalimniou.

Kalimniou justified his choice of topic by stating that one can only measure the magnitude of what was lost during the perpetration of one of the greatest crimes against humanity by also considering the cultural heritage of the victims of the genocide.

dean kalimniou pontus of opera (2)

He stated that the inspiration for the choice of topic came from the discovery of a photograph of the Opera House of Trapezounta, constructed by the Greeks of the city in 1912, not long before the commencement of the genocide, a building that confounds the stereotypes of Pontian culture often disseminated both by the Hellenic discourse and Pontian organisations.

dean kalimniou pontus of opera (2)
dean kalimniou pontus of opera

As such, attention was drawn to the popular perception of Pontus within the broader Greek national discourse, often perceived as a secluded enclave with its distinct cultural traits. The lecturer sought to challenge this notion by exploring its historical interconnectedness, demonstrating how Pontus has fascinated the Western psyche, becoming a muse for the creation of opera and classical music.

In a witty examination of the operas of Mozart, Vivaldi, Offenbach and Hesse which are set in Pontus, Kalimniou fascinated the audience through a discussion as to how the stereotype of Pontus as the ‘other’ is both augmented and confounded in such works, leading to an analysis of externally and internally imposed Orientalism and how this affects identity formation.

READ MORE: Melbourne program released for events commemorating the Greek genocide

George Miller’s latest Mad Max film sends crowds wild at Cannes

The Greek Herald
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George Miller’s latest Mad Max film sends crowds wild at Cannes

George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga received a seven-minute standing ovation at its Cannes Film Festival premiere this week.

The film is the fifth instalment in the Greek Australian director’s Mad Max post-apocalyptic action franchise.

The film stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth and it was his first time at Cannes. Hemsworth looked on the verge of tears as he stood next to his wife Elsa Pataky in the Grand Lumiere Theatre, taking in the standing ovation.

As the applause continued, Hemsworth and his co-star Anya Taylor-Joy flanked their director, with Hemsworth bestowing a kiss on Miller’s head.

Reviews, which were under embargo until the end of the screening, were mostly positive, praising Miller for an “immersive, spectacular prequel to his Mad Max reboot.”

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is an origin story that recounts the life of young Furiosa (Taylor-Joy), the battle-hardened rig driver played by Charlize Theron in his 2015 film, Mad Max: Fury Road.

Source: The Australian.

New investigators appointed to Cypriot Australian Thanasis Nicolaou’s murder case

The Greek Herald
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New investigators appointed to Cypriot Australian Thanasis Nicolaou’s murder case

The government of the Republic of Cyprus has appointed independent investigators into the murder of Cypriot Australian Thanasis Nicolaou.

This comes after a judge from the Limassol district court ruled on Friday, May 10 that Nicolaou’s death in 2005 was murder by strangulation, vindicating his family’s long-held belief of foul play.

Nicolaou was found dead under Alassa bridge in September 2005. He was 26. Forensic pathologist Panicos Stavrianos ruled it was a suicide, however the family has long-argued it was a murder coverup.

At the time of his death, Nicolaou was serving in the armed forces of Cyprus. Nicolaou died a day after he reported horrific bullying at his army unit, and spoke out of suspicions of drug dealing at his barracks.

In response to Friday’s district court ruling, the government has since appointed Thanasis Athanasiou, a legal expert, and Lambros Pappas, a retired Hellenic Police Lieutenant General who formerly headed Greece’s Homicide Department, to investigate Nicolaou’s death further.

According to In-Cyprus, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis announced the appointments after a cabinet meeting this week.

Hartsiotis said the investigators will examine the case for the past 19 years, from 2005 to 2024.

“Everything will be investigated,” the Justice Minister said.

“After 19 long years, it is imperative that we leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. This is a tragic and sensitive case that needs to be concluded in the best possible way to provide closure for Thanasis Nicolaou and his family.”

Source: In-Cyprus.

Leader of North Macedonia’s VMRO party insists on using the term ‘Macedonia’

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Leader of North Macedonia’s VMRO party insists on using the term ‘Macedonia’

North Macedonia’s leader of the center-right nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party, Christian Mitskoski, has insisted on using the term “Macedonia,” instead of the country’s constitutional name, Ekathimerini has reported.

Mitskoski’s actions come after North Macedonia’s newly-elected president, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, sparked a diplomatic spat with Greece by referring to her country as “Macedonia,” rather than the constitutional name “North Macedonia.”

At the time, Greece’s government pointed out that the new president’s deliberate avoidance of the country’s constitutional name was a “gross violation” of the 2018 Prespa Agreement and warned of consequences in bilateral relations and for North Macedonia’s prospects of joining the European Union.

North Macedonia's new President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
North Macedonia’s new President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. Photo: Robert Atanasovskis/AFP via Getty Images.

Mitskoski has since praised Siljanovska-Davkova’s stance as “dignified” in referring to their country as “Macedonia.”

“If Greece believes we violated the Prespa Agreement, let them appeal to the International Court of Justice,” he stated. “We don’t expect relations between the two countries to be based on displays of power; we expect good and excellent neighbourly relations.”

Mitskoski’s statement contradicts one by North Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry on Monday which affirmed the country’s “unwavering commitment to fully respect constitutional provisions and all internationally assumed obligations,” including the Prespa Agreement signed with Greece.

Source: Ekathimerini

Three A-League men players arrested over betting scandal

The Greek Herald
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Three A-League men players arrested over betting scandal

Macarthur FC captain Ulises Dávila is one of three players from the A-League side arrested this morning over an alleged betting scandal, ABC News has reported.

The arrests come after the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad Gaming Unit launched an investigation into the alleged manipulation of yellow cards during football games for gambling purposes.

Police will allege detectives discovered Dávila, 33, had been allegedly taking instructions from a man — believed to be in South America — to organise yellow cards to occur during certain points in A-League games.

nsw police

The alleged offending occurred during games played on 24 November 2023, 9 December 2023, 20 April 2024, and 4 May 2024.

Following his arrest at South Coogee on Friday morning, Dávila is expected to be charged with two counts of engage in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome of an event, and two counts of facilitate in conduct that corrupts a betting out of an event.

A 27-year-old player from Parramatta and a 32-year-old player from West Hoxton were also arrested on Friday morning and are expected to be charged.

All three men will face court on Friday afternoon.

Source: ABC News

Dutton promises to slash migrant intake, ban foreign property buyers in Budget reply

The Greek Herald
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Dutton promises to slash migrant intake, ban foreign property buyers in Budget reply

In his Federal Budget reply on Thursday night, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed to slash permanent migration and ban foreign investors and temporary residents from buying established homes for two years.

If elected, Dutton said the Coalition would cut the number of permanent visas granted each year from 185,000 to 140,000. This would take the metric to its lowest level for 20 years, amid continuing labour shortages that threaten to keep inflation high.

It would remain at that level for two years, rise to 150,000 the year after and then 160,000 the following year.

The humanitarian intake, currently at 20,000, would be reduced to 13,750 and there would be a two-year ban on all foreigners buying existing housing stock.

Dutton said his migration cuts may not be liked by “the usual CEOs and big businesses,” but his priority “is restoring the dream of homeownership.”

He suggested limiting migration would “free up almost 40,000 additional homes in the first year and well over 100,000 homes in the next five years.”

Source: The Australian Financial Review

Greece’s oldest woman dies aged 119

The Greek Herald
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Greece’s oldest woman dies aged 119

Greece’s oldest woman Eleni Baroulakis died on Tuesday, May 14 at the age of 119 on the Greek island of Crete.

According to Ekathimerini, Eleni was born in 1905 and lived her entire life in Paidochori in the municipality of Apokoronos in Chania.

Eleni’s father had reached 107 years old, while her mother lived to be 100.

Greece’s oldest woman Eleni Baroulakis died on Tuesday, May 14 at the age of 119 on the Greek island of Crete.

She married Spyros Baroulakis in 1939 and they had five children, three boys and two girls. She raised them with the hardships and poverty of that time and with her husband’s small disability pension.

When asked the secret of her longevity in 2019, Eleni cited Christ and St George, and the Cretan diet with lots of vegetables and mostly greens.

In a statement after her death, the Apokoronos Municipality paid tribute to Eleni and said “her way of life and her virtues are models for us and an example to follow.” 

Source: Ekathimerini.

Pontian Society of Sydney donates Panagia Soumela icon to St Stephanos church

The Greek Herald
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Pontian Society of Sydney donates Panagia Soumela icon to St Stephanos church

In a heartfelt display of community spirit and cultural heritage preservation to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the Pontian Society of Sydney Panagia Soumela has presented a cherished gift to the church of St Stephanos at Hurlstone Park.

The Society has donated an icon of Panagia Soumela to the church. The stunning silver-gold-plated replica icon meticulously painted with egg tempera on carefully selected plane tree wood, serves as a profound testament to the unwavering dedication and impeccable artistry of its creators.

The icon of Panagia Soumela is deeply intertwined with the history and identity of the Pontian Greeks. Following the Greek Genocide and population exchange of the early 20th century, many Pontian Greeks were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in the Pontos region of modern-day Turkey. This traumatic event resulted in a dispersal of the Pontian Greek community across various parts of the world, with many finding refuge in Greece and other countries such as Australia.

Throughout their displacement and exile, the Pontian Greeks held onto their cultural and religious heritage. The icon of Panagia Soumela, originally housed in the ancient Monastery of Soumela in Trabzon, present-day Turkey, became a beacon of hope and resilience for the Pontian diaspora. The image of the Virgin Mary depicted in the icon was seen as a protector and guide, offering solace and strength to the displaced community.

Many Pontian Greeks held representations of Panagia Soumela with them as they navigated the challenges of displacement as they sought to preserve their traditions and identity. The icon served as a reminder of their connection to their homeland and a symbol of their enduring faith in the face of adversity.

Today, the veneration of Panagia Soumela remains a central aspect of Pontian Greek culture and spirituality. The icon is commemorated in religious services, cultural events, and communal gatherings, serving as a unifying force for the Pontian diaspora. Its presence continues to inspire a sense of solidarity and resilience among the Pontian Hellenic community, reinforcing their shared history and legacy.

In times of hardship and uncertainty, the icon of Panagia Soumela serves as a source of comfort and reassurance for the Pontian Greeks, reminding them of their enduring heritage and the enduring power of faith. The icon represents not only a religious symbol but also a cultural touchstone that connects the Pontian diaspora to their roots and provides a sense of belonging and strength in the face of adversity.

By offering this exquisite icon to the church, the Society symbolises its commitment to preserving and honouring Pontian culture in Sydney. It is a pledge of support for the community and the church ensuring that the spirit of Pontos, its sacred traditions and beliefs, remain and thrive for years to come.

Sunday, 19th of May 2024, at St Stephanos Church, 650 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park, after the Divine Liturgy, will be the first unveiling and procession of the sacred icon, along with a memorial service for the souls of the victims of the Genocide of the Hellenes of Pontos. All are welcome to attend.

Australia’s first Greek Orthodox church to reopen

The Greek Herald
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Australia’s first Greek Orthodox church to reopen

The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church (Aghia Triada) in Surry Hills, Sydney is set to reopen on Sunday, June 2 following the completion of some restorations.

The Thyranixia (reopening) ceremony will be held in the presence of Archbishop Makarios of Australia.

The church is known as the first Greek Orthodox church established in Australia and the Southern Hemisphere, and it has been given State Heritage Status by the New South Wales Government. It is managed by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW).

holy trinity1
Official opening of the Holy Trinity church in 1899.

Built in 1898 and consecrated on 16 April 1899, the Holy Trinity church originally served the Syrian Orthodox and Greek Orthodox communities in Sydney through Father Seraphim Phocas who was fluent in both the Greek and Arabic languages.

Over time, the condition of the church has deteriorated due to water entry and major tree root damage underground.

In response, the Board of the GOCNSW in conjunction with the Holy Trinity Restoration Committee, launched the 125th Anniversary Restoration Appeal in June 2023 with the aim of restoring the church to its former glory.

holy-trinity-committee
Some members of the Holy Trinity Restoration Committee with the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis (second from left). Photo supplied.

According to a pamphlet issued by the Restoration Committee, the restoration works commenced in May 2023 and would take place over a period of three years and in four stages. The total cost is estimated at more than $1.1 million.

The fourth and final stage is set to be completed in 2024/2025 at a cost of $304,537.00 to be fundraised through cash, in-kind Donations and Fundraising from the Greek Community and Government Sources.

Stage four will include: concrete repairs to Bell Tower side returns, replacement of eight elevation side windows and coating works, the provision of a disabled entry ramp off Bourke Street, the replacement of side and main entry doors off Bourke Street, the restoration and cleaning of eroded windows and surrounds, the preparation and affixing of the Honour and Donors Boards, and the preparation and affixing of a marble plaque.

New committee elected to lead Victoria’s Greek National Day Council

The Greek Herald
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New committee elected to lead Victoria’s Greek National Day Council

A new executive committee to lead Victoria’s Greek National Day Council was elected at a meeting on Monday, May 13.

The Victorian Council for Greek National Day is made up of representatives from all of Victoria’s major Greek organisations and was established to organise commemoration events for Greece’s Independence Day on March 25 each year.

An election was called after outgoing Council Chairman Tony Tsourdalakis and Secretary Natasha Spanos announced at a February 6 Council meeting that they would step down from their roles at the end of this year’s Greek Independence Day parade.

Executive positions filled at the recent election were:

  • Chairman: Sophia Siachos
  • Secretary: Kristian Rapsas
  • Assistant Secretary: Katerina Drougas
  • Master of Ceremonies (Greek): Maria Bakalidou
  • Master of Ceremonies (English): Leonidas Vlahakis
  • Parade Manager: Jim Grivokostopoulos (Grivas)
Tony Tsourdalakis Victorian Council for Greek National Day
Outgoing chairman of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, Tony Tsourdalakis at the Greek Independence Day parade in 2023. Photo: Con Deves.

The Treasurer position had already been accepted by Arthur Andronas following a meeting on April 22, 2024.

As reported by The Greek Herald, the Treasurer position was vacated by Jim Grivokostopoulos (Grivas) in December 2023.

Mr Grivas resigned at a general meeting of the Council on December 11, 2024, and said he felt unable to do his job properly as Treasurer because he was never provided access to the Council’s financial records or invoices in order to verify the P&L statement. Mr Grivas’ access was restricted despite requesting to see the financials.

While Mr Grivas stipulated in his resignation that he believed “nothing untoward” was behind the restricted access to the financials, he did put forward a motion calling for an independent audit committee to review the last three years of financial statements.

This motion was passed by the committee members present and it was agreed that the audit committee would be made up of three people: Mr Grivas himself, Father John and Mr Andronas.

In recent months, some members of the Council have also raised concerns around its constitution, as well as the recent Greek Independence Day parade on April 14 at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne.

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