Lecture series
Free Entry
Wild Colonial Greeks
Book Talk: Presented by Author Peter Prineas
Join author Peter Prineas who will be discussing his latest publication “Wild Colonial Greeks” as well as his previous works. Learn about the very interesting first Greeks to call Australia home.
At the conclusion of the talk, you have the opportunity to purchase books, autographed by the author!
1821….. So what?
Presented by Dr Vassilis Adrahtas
For someone born and bred in Greece, the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution has more or less a straightforward meaning – even a negative one. This entails that they can relate to 1821 as a fundamental moment in modern Greek history. But what about an Australian of Greek descent? What happens in the case of someone who tries to see and find a connection to this revolution from so far away, geographically, culturally or even experientially speaking? My talk aspires to explore not only the ways in which such a connection is possible, but more so the significance and the urgency of such a connection…
The Greek Orthodox Christian Society Choir will also sing songs of the revolution at this event.
Painting: Konstantinos Parthenis, The Apotheosis of Athanasios Diakos (c. 1933)
the role of the ionian islands in the 1821 revolution
Presented by George Vardas, Kytherian Association
The Ionian Islands and the Greek Revolution of 1821In 1821 the Ionian Islands, the Επτάνησα or seven islands of Corfu, Ithaka, Paxos, Kefalonia, Zante, Lefkas and Kythera, were a British Protectorate and not part of the Ottoman Empire which was on the brink of an insurgency on mainland Greece and some of the Aegean islands. On the 200th anniversary of the start of hostilities to free Greece, we want to explore the role of the Ionian Islands during the Greek War of Independence.The Kytherian WorldHeritage Fund (KWHF), together with the Let’s Go Greek Festival, is pleased to sponsor a presentation by George Vardas and Peter Prineas OAM, author of ‘Britain’s Greek Islands: Kythera and the Ionian Islands 1809 to 1864on the Ionian Islands and the Greek Revolution of 1821. By drawing on both primary and secondary sources, we seek to gain a broader understanding of the impact of the Ionian Islands on the Greek Revolution of 1821 and how the eventual outcome inspired the move to enosis of the Ionian Islands with Greece in 1864.
1821: From Hydra to parramatta
Presented by Dr Panayiotis Diamadis
The small island of Hydra is the 'mother colony' of the Australian Hellenic community, the birthplace of the earliest documented Hellenes to make Australia their new home. This fully illustrated lecture is presented as part of a public history exhibition about Australia's relationship with the Hellenic War of Independence within this year's Festival. Historian and genocide scholar Dr Diamadis will look at how seven young sailors, fighters in the Revolution against the Ottoman Turkish Empire, ended up as convicts in the Sydney Penal Colony in 1829. Some of them, indeed, lived and worked in the Parramatta area, contributing to the economic development of the new colony. Who were they? What did they do here? Did they have interaction with First Nations' people? What happened to these young men of Hydra? All these questions and more will be examined during this event, demonstrating the significant place Parramatta holds at the beginning of the Australian Hellenic (hi)story.
The St Ioannis dance group will perform traditional Greek dances at this event.
Venue
St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church Exhibition Rooms
Level 1, 163 -165 George St Parramatta (Entry via Purchase St)
Free event onsite parking