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Greek sailors to compete in ILCA 7 sailing World Championship in Adelaide

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Greek sailing champion George Papadakos will compete against other Hellenic sailors in the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship in Adelaide, taking place from January 24-31.

This event will serve as an opportunity Papadakos and many other athletes to fight towards a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Dimitris Papadimitriou, Tasos Panagiotidis, and Pavlos Kontides are among the Greek and Cypriot athletes scheduled to compete alongside Papadakos.

George Papadakos is currently in Adelaide. Photo: Fosonline.

The Greek Community of South Australia (GOCSA) assisted Papadakos and his family with accommodation, with the sponsorship of community members Arthur and James Economos via Econ Property Group.

During his visit to GOCSA’s offices on Wednesday, January 24, Papadakos said “It has been a dream of mine since I started sailing at the age of 8 to qualify for the Olympics. It is the ultimate honour for an athlete.”

“If it weren’t for the efforts and the support of Australia’s Greek diaspora, we would not be here today,” he added.

L to R: Greek Orthodox Community of SA President, Peter Gardiakos and George Papadakos during his visit to GOSCA.

Coach Nicholaos Chrysos, explained he admired George as an athlete “he carries great values and extraordinary talent. We are ready to achieve the Olympic dream”.

Running across several, this Men’s World Championship will see a total 153 boats coming from 51 countries.

The first race is set to take place on Friday, January 26.

Boot baron Mark Cloros drops price expectations on resort-style home in Sydney

A descendant of the Redback Boot company, Mark Cloros has dropped the price on his million-dollar Palm Beach home in Sydney.

His home, located on Iluka Road in Palm Beach, was initially on the market for $20 million, however Mr Cloros is now seeking $18 million.

After being bought in 2021 from furniture retailer, Anthony Scali for $11 million, the 1940s property was extensively renovated by Mr Cloros.

Mark Cloros bought the property in 2021 from furniture retailer, Anthony Scali for $11 million.

The resort style home is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home, set on 563 square metres.

Mr Cloros, the fourth-generation boot maker, has now got the property scheduled for auction on Thursday, February 22.

Following the auction, Mr Cloros plans to travel to the Mediterranean and spend some time on the island of Kastellorizo, where his family is from but where he has never been before.

Mark-Cloros
Mark Cloros is a fourth-generation boot maker. Photo: Microsoft.

Source: The Australian.

Registrations now open for inaugural Global Women and Hellenism Conference

In a ground-breaking initiative, the Food For Thought Network Inc. (FFTN) will host the Inaugural Global Women and Hellenism Conference, scheduled to take place from September 2-6, 2024, at the Grand SERAI Congress & Spa Hotel in Ioannina, Greece.

This event aims to bring together Greek women from the diaspora and Greece, fostering connections, celebrating shared heritage, and igniting cultural enrichment that transcends borders.

The FFTN have said the conference is set to be “an absolute blast.”

“We have had over 120 incredible women pre-registered,” the FFTN Founder and Chair Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou said, encouraging more women to secure their spot at the conference.

The founder and chair of the Food For Thought Network, Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou.

The historic event will see diverse women with Greek heritage from all around the world come together – this includes interested individuals, community leaders, academics, lawyers, doctors, businesswomen and trailblazers. 

“The conference is a four-day, five nights extravaganza of pure empowerment – think keynote speakers, panel discussions, business opportunities, exploring Epirus and loads of knowledge-sharing with like-minded souls,” Ms Athanasiou-Ioannou said.

“You will have the chance to network with inspiring individuals from all walks of life, explore business opportunities, and discover ways to keep our language and culture alive. A remarkable experience you wouldn’t want to miss!”

To secure your spot, visit trybooking.com. To become a presenter at the conference, register here.

Kalymnios’ ‘Opou GIS kai PATRIS’ comedy to take the stage at 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney

The 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney will include the presentation of the captivating theatrical comedy, ‘Opou GIS kai PATRIS’ written by the esteemed lawyer and author Konstantinos Kalymnios.

This engaging production will be staged at the Greek Theatre – Mandouridion in Marrickville, featuring the talented duo Stamatis Tzelepis and Elena Tsefala, for four performances between 1st and 3rd of March 2024.

This thought-provoking play delves into the essence of the first generation of immigrants, exploring the gradual fading of their unique way of life over time.

Konstantinos Kalymnios, the playwright, was inspired by the disappearing customs and behavioral codes of those who laid the foundations of the Greek community. The story is a heartfelt attempt to preserve the distinctive dialect and traditions of his grandparents’ micro-community in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, and Ascot Vale in Victoria.

Konstantinos Kalymnios
Lawyer and author Konstantinos Kalymnios is the theatrical show’s playwright. Photo: Konstantinos Kalymnios, Facebook.

Festival Chair, Nia Karteris has expressesed tremendous excitement in bringing this remarkable theatrical experience to Australia.

“We are thrilled to showcase ‘Opou GIS kai PATRIS’ as part of our 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney. This production is a testament to the richness of Greek culture, and we are honoured to host such a talented cast and crew. The play not only resonates with the historical narrative of the Greek immigrant experience but also adds a layer of humour that will undoubtedly captivate and entertain our audience.”

The play features the Epirotic dialect, with elements from various parts of Greece, providing a rich linguistic and cultural experience for the audience.

The performance is not only a portrayal of the migrant experience but also includes segments commenting on the current situation in Greece from various perspectives—historical and beyond.

In essence, ‘Opou GIS kai PATRIS’ is a historical retrospective, exploring common points that define us throughout time and, of course, offering a generous dose of humor.

Event Details:

Event: ‘Opou GIS kai PATRIS’

Dates: Friday 1 March – Sunday 3 March, 2024.

Times: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm | Sunday, 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm.

Venue: The Greek Theatre – Mantouridion, Addison Road Community Centre, Bldg 36, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville.

Language: Greek (with English surtitles.

Ticket Price: $40 (plus booking fee)

The Opou GIS kai PATRIS
The Opou GIS kai PATRIS flyer. Photo: Supplied.

Yarra Libraries will not end Greek Storytime after all

Greek Storytime will continue at Richmond Library following The Greek Herald’s probing into claims surrounding the closure of the program.

“The Greek Stories and Play program is not being cancelled and will return to Richmond Library in 2024,” a Yarra City Spokesman told The Greek Herald.

On January 9, Greek language teacher Vicky Petala, facilitator of the program, received a letter from Yarra Libraries stating, “we won’t be supporting Greek Stories and Play financially this year”.  

The webpage promoting Greek Storytime sessions was also taken down from the Yarra Libraries website.

Following an article published in The Greek Herald, a Yarra City Council spokesman said, “Rest assured that this important, community-led program will continue to be supported by Yarra Libraries.”

Through the program, families are encouraged to continue sharing songs and reading together from the provided collection of picture story books.

“Yarra Libraries will continue to support the Greek community with our collection and curation of Greek language materials, and by providing space for the community to gather, meet and celebrate their culture,” the spokesman said.

Upon hearing the news, Maria Tsakalas, the mother who started a petition to preserve Greek Story Time at Richmond Library said she is happy that her two young children will continue to have the opportunity to connect with their culture.

“Thank you Greek Herald! This is great news,” she said.

Cyprus Cup match concludes early after flares thrown on field

A Cyprus Cup football match between Apollon and AEL was abandoned due to fan violence as they threw flares at each other on the field. 

The match, which took place at Limassol’s new Alpha Mega Stadium on Wednesday, January 24, encountered disruptions from unruly fans, prompting the intervention of riot police to restore order.

The referee then called off the match due to concerns over safety, prompting a statement from the Cyprus Football Association. 

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides condemned the behaviour as unacceptable and stated it was not to continue.

Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said the behaviour was unacceptable. Photo: Supplied.

Apollon revealed in a statement that the decision to abandon the match was “political” and they now await reasons to why it was made, as it was known that the match would be a high-risk affair.

This drama follows the renewed pledges by police and the Cyprus Football Association to ensure better measures are taken to prevent violence during sporting matches.

Since last Friday, January 19, the Cyrpus FA banned all away team fans for the rest of the season due to the spike in game violence.

Source: The West.

Melina Aslanidou to headline the 2024 Antipodes Festival in Melbourne

The Greek Community of Melbourne has announced Greek singer, Melina Aslanidou as the headline act for this year’s Antipodes Festival in Melbourne’s iconic Lonsdale St on February 24 & 25.

Returning to Melbourne to grace the stage with her incredible talent, Aslanidou promises an unforgettable musical experience.

Renowned for her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence, the Greek singer is set to captivate the audience with a repertoire of beloved songs. The festival will provide a unique opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the enchanting melodies that she brings to the stage.

Melina Aslanidou & President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis OAM at the Antipodes Festival 2022. Photo: Greek Community of Melbourne.

The Antipodes Festival has become a cultural cornerstone in Melbourne, celebrating the vibrant Greek community that calls the city home. This year, the festival is set to unfold on the 24th and 25th of February, creating a weekend filled with music, dance, and cultural connections.

Aslanidou will not be taking the stage alone; she will be joined by some of Melbourne’s talented local musicians, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. The collaboration promises to deliver a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary Greek music, ensuring a diverse and entertaining musical journey.

For those who have experienced Aslanidou’s performances in the past, her return is eagerly anticipated. For newcomers, get ready to be mesmerized by the authenticity and passion that she brings to every note.

This is sure to be an unforgettable weekend set in the heart of Melbourne filled with music, culture, community spirit, song and dance.

For more information and updates visit the official Antipodes Festival website here.

Mitsotakis justifies same-sex marriage bill based on equality

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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis justified his government’s intention to legalise same-sex civil marriages during a cabinet session on Wednesday, January 24, framing the legislation as a stride towards increased social equality.

“The new regulation bestows additional rights upon certain individuals; it does not diminish the rights of the majority,” he asserted, emphasizing that “an issue of equality should not serve as grounds for division.”

same sex marriage greece
A giant rainbow flag iwas waved n front of the Greek Parliament during the Pride Parade in Athens, Greece on June 10, 2023. Photo: Nicolas Koutsokostas—NurPhoto/Getty Images

The conservative leader clarified that, while the proposed bill allows for same-sex civil marriages, it would not authorise same-sex couples to pursue parenthood through surrogate mothers—a possibility presently limited to women facing health-related challenges in childbearing.

Addressing the concerns raised by the influential Orthodox Church, which unanimously opposed the bill on Tuesday, Mitsotakis remarked, “Past disagreements have not strained the relationship between the State and the Church.”

The proposal is anticipated to undergo parliamentary debate in the coming weeks. Despite encountering resistance from several lawmakers within the more conservative faction of the ruling New Democracy, it is expected to be ratified into law with the support of center-left and left opposition parties.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Melbourne’s ‘Kafeneion’ finds new home in city’s Supper Club location

Popular Greek restaurant, Kafeneion, will relocate to another frequented city location, The Melbourne Supper Club, on February 7.

Con Christopoulos – the restaurateur behind Melbourne institutions like City Wine ShopThe European and Degraves Espresso, opened up his dream restaurant, Kafeneion as a pop-up back in May of 2023, which became an instant hit.

Kafeneion (a spin on “kafenio”, the Greek term for a traditional coffeehouse) aimed to provide Melbournians a home-style diner, and hoped to find a permanent home in a larger location later in the year, now, securing the suitable Supper Club location.

“We’re bringing the sensibility of Kafeneion over [to the Supper Club], so it’s still going be that charming, double clothed, romantic offering,” Christopolous said about the move.

“There will still be Siglo customers walking through the space to get to the roof… It’s a bit like dancing with a girl for the first time – we don’t know who is going to lead.”

Popular Greek restaurant, Kafeneion, will relocate to another frequented city location, The Melbourne Supper Club, on February 7. Photo: Broadsheet.

According to Broadsheet, after opening in 1998, the Supper Club established itself as Melbourne’s premier late-night hangout, spearheading the city’s “hidden bar” boom.

Christopoulos, who co-owns the joint with Stavros Konis, the third-generation owner of Richmond restaurant Salona added, “We’ll be offering a full Greek menu, tweaked for the seasons…It’s a flexible offering, it’s affordable, it’s romantic, and it’s driven by some good-hearted people…the idea is to recreate the magic in a space that has its own magic.”

As Melbourne’s bustling Bourke Street says goodbye to Kafeneion, Spring street welcomes it, and its customers with open arms from February 7.

Source: Broadsheet

Bill for postal vote in European elections passes, rejected for Greek national elections

On Wednesday, January 24, a legislation passed in Greece to establish a postal vote for the upcoming European elections.

It was reported that 158 members of parliament voted in favour, all belonging to the ruling New Democracy party.

Greece’s Interior Minister, Niki Kerameus announced “For the first time in the history of the Greek state, postal voting is introduced”.

The provision was expected to pass by extended majority, however an amendment introduced by the Interior Ministry, extending the postal vote to Greek’s abroad in the national elections, triggered the outrage of opposition parties.

The amendment allowing Greeks living abroad to vote in Greece’s national elections was rejected because it did not collect the required majority vote of 200. A total of 158 deputies voted for it, 135 rejected it, and 6 deputies voted ‘present’.

Greece’s Interioir Minister, Ms Kerameus vowed to reintroduce the amendment on the postal voting bill to include national elections once 200 votes were secured.

Source: amna.gr