Since the recession hit Greece in late 2009, there have been numerous effects on the country, one of which is the infamous ‘brain drain’.

Writer Loukas Mexis was on the verge of becoming another educated individual to take his knowledge and skill abroad.

“It was 2012 after the first wave of recession; I felt it was the right time to invest in knowledge and acquire a Master of Arts in Communication, since it was my field of expertise,” Mexis tells Neos Kosmos.

Having penned two Greek novels, Shoebox (2010) and Shoot Me (2012), the author was offered a scholarship at Murdoch University in Western Australia.

Jumping at the opportunity, after completing his MA, he ventured to Melbourne with plans of completing a PhD at La Trobe University – or so he thought.

“Greeks have a saying: ‘when you plan something, God is laughing at you’. Things turned out differently,” he says.

Back in his beloved city of Athens, things have come full circle for Mexis, working as a senior copywriter for a major advertising agency – a reality that seemed unlikely given the economic climate.

But Mexis is a perfect example of the adage that ‘everything happens for a reason’.

A motorbike enthusiast, in 2011 the 31-year-old was involved in an accident resulting in the loss of his left ankle.

Loukas riding his bike at the Rotten Race in Greece. Photo: Vangelis Triantafyllou

The addition of an extra plate and ten pins to his leg fortunately put him in good stead to walk again.

Asked whether he has had the gall to get back on the bike, there is no reservation in his response.

“But of course!” he says.

“I have ridden from Athens to Milan, and did many other trips in between.”

It was this unforeseen accident and a motorbike trip that followed through San Francisco to San Diego, which armed the writer with the content to embark on Flat Track, his début English novel.

Though he describes it as a “coming of age” novel, he admits it’s “a much deeper story”.

“It has direct references to my growing up in Athens. However, two wheels are universal and so is the feeling of growing up. The rest came from my trip, and everything came together nicely.”

A continuous love affair with motorbike riding also keeps Mexis connected to Australia, as an organiser of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride founded in Sydney in 2012.

But it doesn’t stop there. Mexis is a man with his finger in many pies, one of which is Agora Dialogue – a Melbourne-based human rights portal giving voice to justice and equal rights.

Drawing on cases such as Australia’s infamous Nauru detention centre, he aims to engage his readers in a conversation about the bigger picture.

“I tried to present these cases to the Greek audience, and vice versa.

Loukas at the The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in Perth. Photo: Facebook

Greeks back home do not really know about the asylum seekers fleeing towards Australia, and there are now many similarities among this case and the Syrians seeking asylum in Europe,” he says.

And with the UNHCR reporting 50,000 new arrivals in Greece in the month of July alone, Mexis’ writing is now more relevant than ever.

A matter that can often be complicated by political leaders, he articulates his perception of the situation simply: “People need our help, no matter where they come from. People do not own land. Land belongs to humans.

“It is our right to grow roots somewhere, and once these roots are torn by war and other devastations, people should open their arms and help asylum seekers grow new roots. These people have nothing.

“People see them on the news and shout; but they are in their homes, sitting on their couches, eating take out. These refugees have nothing. They only have their children in their arms, and nothing else. Can you imagine that?”

Since his accident in 2011, it’s clear to see Mexis has gone from strength to strength.

Loukas in Kalamunda, WA. Photo credit: Jules Szoke Photography

Along with his work as a successful copywriter and contributing writer for a number of publications, he is also a part of online Greek portal Provocateur.

Through the innovative platform for issues that matter to a variety of age groups, the writer is taking an unconventional approach to the release of his upcoming autobiographical book, entitled Endeavour.

“I publish one chapter per week … once all are published online, a neat book will hit the shelves with this collection of stories,” he explains.

Though he admits to witnessing a number of budget cuts to the advertising and media industries respectively, if anything, the crisis has opened the way for new ideas and approaches.

And for Mexis it would appear the key to his success is seeing opportunity even in the direst of circumstances.

“Truth be told, it is the large advertising companies that suffer the most,” he explains.

“Opportunity presents itself now, but with smaller and unconventional advertising agencies that are ready to go further, disrupt the traditional advertising world and provide fresh content. I hope my work will tap into this field in the months to come.”

 
*For more information on Loukas Mexis’ book ‘Flat Track’, head to www.vividpublishing.com.au