This live concert tribute will focus on compositions that emerged after the population exchange, including the songs that gained prominence through gramophone recordings thereafter.
The concert aims to celebrate cultural diversity through its music, focusing on the composers who relocated to mainland Greece and their profound effect on the musical landscape. The music from Smyrne was significantly affected by the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in the 1920s, leading to a dispersion of diverse musical traditions and their preservation and evolution in different regions.
Today, elements of Smyrneika music can still be heard in various contemporary musical compositions, traditional ensembles, and even in the works of modern artists who draw inspiration from the rich musical legacy of this historically vibrant city.
Smyrne, now known as Izmir in Turkey, holds a significant place in the history of Greek and Turkish musical traditions. It was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, influencing its music with a blend of Greek, Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian elements. Characterised by a distinctive sound, Smyrneika incorporates various instruments such as the oud, bouzouki, violin, kanun, and guitar, among others. It often features emotional and melancholic melodies, reflecting the experiences and sentiments of the diverse population living in Smyrne.
Bringing together a unique ensemble of Melbourne musicians this concert will not disappoint.
Musicians from this newly formed ensemble “Estudiantina of Melbourne” are:
For Kay Pavlou, sharing stories about people’s lives, their upbringing and their struggles has always been something she’s passionate about.
With a career in writing, directing and producing dramas and documentaries spanning more than a decade, Kay said she has always loved shedding light on people’s stories.
“One of my biggest passions is the story of Cyprus. Both of my parents come from Cyprus, from a village that was occupied by Turkey in 1974,” Kay told The Greek Herald.
The Cypriot director of Two Homelands, Kay Pavlou. Photo: Supplied.
“During the time that the village was occupied, a lot of my family, including my grandparents and one of my uncles, refused to leave, so they continued to live in Cyprus under occupation for about 40 years until they died.
“To visit them, we had to meet them at the border and that left a really lasting impression on me, so I decided I wanted to find a way to share Cyprus’ story.”
The Adelaide-born Cypriot has previously produced Cyprus: A People Divided in 1990 and Ghost Town in 2022.
This year she is set to premiere her latest one-hour documentary called Two Homelands. It comes ahead of the 50th Anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus or as Kay calls it, “the black anniversary.”
Youla Yiannoukasi is featured in the documentary.
“I was talking to SEKA, which is the Justice for Cyprus [organisation], as well as the Cyprus Club [in Sydney], and I told them I’d like to do something for the anniversary because it’s going to be very hard and people are going to be very angry and I wanted to create something positive,” Kay said.
“I decided to interview some of the older Greek Cypriots here in Australia and tell their story and make a documentary from the Australian/ Greek Cypriot point of view.
“I interviewed six Greek Cypriot elders aged 70 to 102. Three of them came here after WWII in the ‘50s and three came in the ‘70s as refugees from the Turkish war.”
Kiriakos Vassilis is also featured in the documentary.
By putting all these people’s stories together, Kay said “it makes a very strong narrative for the history of Cyprus” and highlights the struggles and triumphs of being a migrant in Australia.
The documentary’s title, Two Homelands, also represents those Greek Cypriot migrants who describe their hearts as being in Cyprus, but their home as being in Australia.
“These migrants are torn between where they came from, and the place they’ve migrated to,” she explained.
“I really wanted to highlight this in the documentary. Being refugees, they went through so many struggles and experiences that are so difficult and confronting to talk about and they lost so much, so I felt like they needed their story to be told.”
Stella Papavasilliou, another Greek elder featured in the documentary.
The professional director said she was very enthusiastic to be producing another documentary which sits closely to her heart.
“I’m absolutely driven to tell the story,” Kay said.
“It’s something that gets me very emotional, of course, but I thought, as my life has been all about learning the craft of telling stories, I could contribute in a way to help benefit the community by sharing these powerful and heartbreaking stories.
“I see what’s happening, I go to Cyprus very regularly, and the frustration that we feel, which is referred to as the Cyprus Problem, has not been resolved and if I can contribute at all to that, I will do my best.
Evripitis Mouxouris is 102 years old, and will feature in the documentary.
Kay said the documentary will be released and screened for the first time this year to mark the 20th of July black anniversary.
“It’s been nearly 50 years, and most people have forgotten about the situation in Cyprus,” Kay said.
“So, I’m hoping people will be able to come and watch the documentary and see that their story still matters, and it hasn’t been forgotten.”
The Cypriot director said she thinks it’s important to keep the Cypriot story alive and she aims to continue sharing these stories.
Jim David is also in Two Homelands.
“I’m a good listener and I’ve always loved listening to people’s stories,” she said.
“When I listen to a story, I think of how I could bring that to life on a screen and it’s exciting for me. I just love being able to use platforms I love to give people a voice.”
The Cypriot director said that after Two Homelands, her next big project will be filmed in Cyprus and will premiere later in the year.
“It will be a drama featuring three generations of women growing up in the village where my parents came from, which was the only place where Greeks refused to leave,” Kay said.
“I’ve been obsessed with trying to turn that into a story. The drama will be released in the cinema too and it’s my most ambitious project yet and I can’t wait to bring it to life.”
A group of parliamentarians from Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia are set to travel to Australia this month to unveil the new book, ‘Hagia Sophia: The Churches of the Wisdom of God around the World.’
Organised by the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies (AIMS) and the Australian Institute for Hellenic Research (AIHER), the event aims to highlight the richness of Orthodoxy.
The ‘Hagia Sophia: The Churches of the Wisdom of God around the World’ book.
In a statement, Professor Anastasios Tamis from the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, said the event will “promote the cultural aspects of Orthodoxy” and emphasise “the need for these monuments to be dully respected and preserved in their host countries.”
The group of Parliamentarians from overseas are set to arrive in Perth, Western Australia on Thursday, April 11. They will then travel to other cities in Australia including Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra across two weeks.
The Melbourne based band will be in Sydney for a one-night-only show on Sunday 21st April 2024 at 7.00pm at the Factory Theatre Marrickville.
Cats and the Canary bring a truly unique experience to Australia’s music scene, standing out as the first and only band to introduce Greek Swing. Their performances are a heartfelt tribute to Greece’s most prolific composers, where cherished melodies of the past undergo a captivating transformation.
With a blend of Tsitsanis, Chiotis, Hadjidakis and the occasional tsifteteli or traditional smyrneika, the band seamlessly fuse these treasures with the lively essence of swing, jazz and even Latin rhythms.
From the Greek bars to the grungy pubs of Melbourne’s Fitzroy where the group originates from, Cats and the Canary’s music excites and entertains with its incredible liveliness and stage presence. And to emphasise their diversity, the group “adopted” its name from the cats that represent the stray and cunning nature of the band, while the canary represents the delicate and settled style of their music.
The Melbourne based band will be in Sydney for a one-night-only show on Sunday 21st April 2024 at 7.00pm at the Factory Theatre Marrickville. Tickets are available for purchase through The Factory Theatre’s website (https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/) or through the theatre’s box office.
Event Details:
WHAT: An Evening of Greek Swing with Cats and the Canary
WHEN: Sunday 21 April 2024 | 7:00 pm
VENUE: The Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Road, Marrickville, NSW 2204
Marrying cultures and musical preferences with the universality of swing and rock, Cats and the Canary will blow your mind with their Greek swing music! Don’t miss out on a single concert in Sydney of this special Greek Australian band with a stage presence like no other!
The rain and poor weather did not dampen the spirits of Canterbury District Soccer Football Association (CDSFA) side Strathfield Strikers Football Club who hosted its third successful Female Football Festival on Sunday, March 24 at Strathfield Park.
Having kicked off the idea in 2020 with the aim to promote women’s football to its immediate community, the event has now branched to feature teams from across the Sydney metropolitan area.
The two key lynchpins behind the original idea were the Georgopoulos sisters Alexandra and Angelica who have been pivotal and fierce promoters of the female game in the CDSFA area.
“We had 36 teams this year, which is double what we had last year,” Angelica stated to Football NSW.
“My sister Alexandra and I have extreme passions for football, and we grew up with football when it “wasn’t for girls” – we wanted to ensure that every single girl has the opportunity to play.
“We wanted to break down the stereotypes and highlight what our girls of all ages can do.
“Despite the rain, which proved to be a highlight of the day, this was the biggest and most exciting day than it has been in the last two years, and we will continue this legacy as a club for years to come.”
The day kicked off at 8:30am and finished at 8:30pm where trophies were awarded to the winners of all age groups which spanned from the Under 10s’s right through to the Over 35 Women’s.
The event also hosted Andy Paschalidis from Heartbeat of Football, as well as having Defibrillator Demonstrations from John and Brendan Zuza from Response for Life and a Heart Health Check from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
The MP of Strathfield Council Jason Li and Karen Pensabene the Deputy Mayor of Strathfield were also present as they proudly presented a NSW Government Community Service Award to the Georgopoulos sisters who have been massive female advocates and pioneers of the female football game in the area.
Postal voting is now established for the first time in Greece. It applies to European elections and referenda. Exercising the right to vote is facilitated. All practical obstacles have been removed.
All Greek citizens registered in the electoral rolls residing in Australia may, without any restriction or other condition, vote by postal vote in the next elections for the European Parliament.
Greek citizens abroad will vote exclusively by postal vote in the European elections – there will be no polling stations abroad.
Greece’s PM, Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the introduction of postal voting in December last year. Photo: Amna.gr.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which electoral process does it concern? European elections, June 9th
How do I register? Either with your TaxisNet codes or with a valid Greek passport number, combined withthe ID number / municipality registration number
I don’t have a valid passport or TaxiNet codes, how can I register? At any Greek Consulate, with any Greek identification document, identity card, passport or driver’s license, even if they are old / expired
What information should I fill in? Contact details, residential address and the address to which I wish the electoral material to be sent. No documents required!
I need more help. What can I do? Call +30 210 626 6222 – available 24/7
When will I receive the envelope with the electoral material? Within May, at the address already stated during the registration process. The envelope will contain detailed instructions.
Until when should I send it back to Greece? The envelope must be received by June 8, 17.00 pm Greek time. The shipping address is pre-filled.
On Thursday, April 4, Football Victoria (FV) confirmed that both Oakleigh Cannons FC (OCFC) and Dandenong Thunder FC (DTFC) have been issued with sanctions, after breaching the conditions of the 2024 NPL Victoria Men’s License, following an incident at the Round 5 match between the clubs on Friday, March 8.
FV has determined that both OCFC and DTFC have brought the game into disrepute through the actions of supporters and failure to provide a safe football environment, with financial and sporting sanctions now imposed on the clubs.
The sanctions for both clubs include:
A suspended 3-point deduction for DTFC and OCFC’s Senior Men’s and U23’s teams in the NPL Men’s (or corresponding league e.g. VPL1), to be enacted should the club be found guilty of any spectator or GDT related offences (as determined by FV) in the 2024 or 2025 football seasons (end September 2025)
A $7500 fine
Any Home & Away or Cup fixtures between OCFC & DTFC to be played with no spectators (closed door) for the remainder of 2024.
A requirement for all home fixtures for the remainder of the 2024 season to have six security guards and six home ground marshals, as well as two away ground marshals
In addition to these measures, OCFC also had the following imposed:
An OCFC player was suspended for two fixtures, which has now been served.
The first home fixture after the original fixture for OCFC (v Altona Magic on Monday 11th March 2024) was played with no spectators.
Throughout the investigation, FV identified four individuals that were central to the incident. Further sanctions related to these individuals will be determined shortly.
For the remainder of the 2024 season and the 2025 season, FV will continue to work with both OCFC and DTFC to ensure both clubs are supported in delivering a safe, inclusive and respectful game day atmosphere for their Senior Men’s NPL fixtures (both Home and Away).
FV is undertaking an extensive review of minimum security standards across all Men’s and Women’s leagues, with further updates to be shared as available.
“The strength of our game is its diversity and passion, which we all love to see on display across our state each weekend. This passion is never an excuse for anti-social behaviour. These acts tarnish our game’s reputation and limit our potential,” he said.
“There is no place in our game for threatening, aggressive or violent behaviour, whether that be directed by or toward players, spectators, coaches or match officials.”
For now, Mr Peppou said Vow’s products have a place in Singapore’s luxury restaurants.
“Think of it as among the highest price point of any kind of animal protein you’d find,” he said.
“I can’t share the exact numbers — it’s a little bit commercially sensitive — but it would be among the most expensive proteins you’d find anywhere from any kind of distributor in Singapore.”
Australia’s Forged parfait. Photo: Forged
Mr Peppou said Vow aims to focus on novelty food products that are difficult to access. One of them being the parfait, which is being sold in Singapore under the brand name Forged.
“There’s no point trying to replicate beef, chicken or pork. It’s a fool’s errand,” Mr Peppou said.
“I love eating meat myself, and there’s no way that I’m going to be tricked, let alone we’re going to trick anyone else into thinking they’re eating a new version of the same thing.
“So instead, let’s use this new technology to offer something which is distinctive from what we already consume.”
The Prosecutor of Greece’s Supreme Court has imposed charges of electoral fraud against eleven lawmakers of the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party.
Ekathimerini reported that these charges could affect the parliamentary seats of the other parties, however, the charges don’t include the party’s leader, Vassilis Stigas.
The prosecutor, Georgia Adeilini, has also targeted Ilias Kasidiaris, the former deputy leader of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group, who is currently incarcerated and accused of incitement to commit fraud. One of his lawyers, Sotirios Metaxas, has also been accused for complicity in deceiving the electorate.
Ilias Kasidiaris, a former Golden Dawn MP. Photo:Pantelis Saitas.
An investigation carried out by Ms Adeilini revealed that despite their official affiliation with the Spartiates party, they were receiving support and direct guidance from the former deputy leader of the Neo Nazi Golden Dawn group, Mr Kasidiaris.
Her report claimed that the 11 lawmakers of the Spartans party effectively “used the Spartiates party as a front for a new political entity under Kasidiaris, thereby aiding him in circumventing the electoral restrictions imposed by election legislation”.
The investigation additionally revealed that Mr Kasidiaris had close ties to candidates from a new political party, providing guidance and support, despite legal restrictions due to his criminal conviction.
The probe was initiated after Stigas accused party members of being influenced by external forces and employing questionable practices, though he later withdrew his statement.
In the June 2023 elections, the Spartiates party secured 4.68% of the vote, electing 12 MPs, but now holds 10 seats following disputes with Stigas, resulting in two MPs declaring themselves independents.
Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari has advanced to her third straight quarter final after defeating world number 7, Astra Sharma 6-4, 6-1 at the Charleston Open today.
Despite what the final result shows, it was not easy for Sakkari to prevail. She found very strong resistance from the Australian in the 1st set and needed almost an hour to close it.
Even though she had led 4-2, she found herself behind 4-4, 15-40 and almost lost her serve at a very crucial point. This “hold” was decisive, with Sakkari standing upright on her serve and making it 5-4 in her favour, to then close the set with a break for 6-4.
In the 2nd set, the match may have opened up and Sakkari cleared the situation by winning the first 5 games, but it does not mean that she was not troubled by Sharma, who had led 40-15 in the 2nd game, while she also had 3 break points in the 5th game.
Maria Sakkari to the crowd after reaching Charleston QF:
“I know it’s cold tonight. Thank you for staying. It’s amazing to play in front of you. Thanks to the Greek crowd that’s here. It’s 4 or 5 people, but 4 or 5 Greeks is equal to 300” 😂 pic.twitter.com/x0NwrJfOhA
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 5, 2024
None of these opportunities turned into a game, so Sakkari reached 5-0, to effectively “clean up” the case of qualification.
All the Australian managed was to cut it to 5-1 with a love service game, with Sakkari responding with a love service game of her own, to complete the triumph in the 7th game.
Sakkari has won 9 of the 11 matches she has fought in America in the last month, that is, since she started her partnership with David Witt.
She advances to her third straight quarter-final after Indian Wells (final) and Miami (quarter-final), as well as her second in Charleston after 2019.
Tomorrow, Sakkari will face Veronika Kudermetova in the quarter final of the Charleston Open.
