The Pancretan Association of Melbourne is organising a series of events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Crete next month. The events will kick off in Melbourne in early May, before shifting to Greece later in the month.
Association President Tony Tsourdalakis says many of the events will be aimed at educating young people about the battle, in order to ensure its tradition lives on. “The bonds that have been created amongst the two nations and the love that the veterans have for the Greek people and vice-versa, should not be diminished,” he said.
On Wednesday May 4 historian Garrie Hutchinson will conduct an open forum in English about the battle. The discussion, to be held at Philhellene restaurant, will span from battlefield stories to the modern memorials that now stand where they happened. The forum will be followed by a performance by Cretan musician Stefanos Vordonis and his band. On Friday May 6 Dr Maria Hill, senior academic at the University of New South Wales, will deliver a public lecture titled “Diggers and Greeks” at the Auditorium of the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
Formal receptions will be held at the Members Pavilion of the Cretan Village in Wantirna South on May 6 and 7, which will feature dancing and a second performance by Stefanos Vordonis and Mihalis Pahakis. On Sunday May 8 a church service and Doxology will be held at St Efstathios Church in South Melbourne, before a series of ceremonies at the Shrine of Remembrance. A week later the focus shifts to Greece where an Australian delegation, including Battle of Crete veterans, members of the Australian parliament, and members of the Pancretan Association will take part in commemorative services and activities at many sites across Crete.
For more information call the Pancretan Association of Melbourne on 03 9800 0148 or visit www.pancretan.com.au
