Filius Patriae: Second Lieutenant Ioannis Kouromichelakis, an epic historical narrative written by Professor Anastasios Tamis, will be presented at Alphington Grammar in Melbourne, on 30 April.
This book tells the tale of a heroic and brave Cretan hero who at the age of 33 fell after 12 years of fighting in Kale Grotto, Asia Minor in August 1921.
Professor Tamis starts from the day of Kouromichelakis’ birth, describing the years of his life in his village, his role and his contribution to the common homeland of the Greeks on the fronts of Macedonia and Asia Minor, his march to his heroic death; everything is described in a historical and literary way, as they are presented and transformed cinematically into an epic travelogue.
The book has already been presented in Greece last August by the ‘hierophant of the Greek language’, Professor Georgios D. Babiniotis in an event organised by the National Foundation for Research and Studies “Eleftherios Venizelos”, under the active supervision of its Director General, the scholar, historian and jurist, Mr Nikolaos Papadakis.
The book launch in Greece had Cretan dance and mantinades. Photos: Christina Kotsifakis-Saris
Photos: Christina Kotsifakis-Saris
Photos: Christina Kotsifakis-Saris
Photos: Christina Kotsifakis-Saris
30 APRIL, THE MELBOURNE BOOK LAUNCH
The Australian book launch, which has been organised by the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, under the auspices of the National Foundation for Research and Studies “Eleftherios Venizelos”, in collaboration with the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Alphington Grammar, the Greek-Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies, will be presented by the President of the Chamber, Fotini Kypraiou.
The book will be presented in a special video by the eminent Greek linguist and lexicographer, former Rector of the University of Athens and former Minister of Education, Professor Babiniotis, as well as by the Australian naval officer, Pelagia Markogiannakis CPPE JP FAIPM GAICD.
The guests will be greeted by the President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Mr Tony Tsourdalakis, The Director of Alphington Grammar, Dr Vivian Nikou and of course Mrs Christina Kotsifaki-Sarri, who with her husband, Mr Konstantinos Sarristavrou, financially supported the publication of the work.
Mr Babiniotis is expected to analyse passages of the work in an unpretentious, simple, substantial and fruitful style, to talk thoroughly about the importance of the book and its significance, about the literary style of the book that highlights essential moments of the recent national history of the Greeks and about inspiring incidents that are documented with numerous scientific references, which makes the work authentically innovative in its kind.
Mr Babiniotis, as in Greece, is expected to keep his audience alert and fully attentive, analysing, re-reading specific parts of the book and explaining the unique quality of this historical narrative.
Finally, the author will refer to the sense of duty felt by Kouromichelakis towards his homeland, expressed with an intense and sensitive civic consciousness, overcoming self-interest through his sacrifice.
The hero’s great-granddaughter Christina Kotsifaki stressed the special emotion that she and her husband Kostas feel with the publication of this book, which honors the memory, heroism and death of her ancestor.
“We feel absolute satisfaction, emotion, elation and joy that we have been given the opportunity to honor the memory of our great-grandfather. We feel privileged to have had the cooperation of Mr Papadakis and the National Foundation, the care of the Cretan leaders, the community, the Institute and HACCI, and Mr Niko, who organized this beautiful event. We feel indebted to our author, Professor A. Tamis for writing his great book, with which he has preserved the memory of our ancestor for ever.”
“We thank Professor Babiniotis because with his speech and analysis he confirmed the particular importance and merit of our book. The Kotsifaki-Sarris family feels the need to thank all those who will honor the presentation of the book with their presence, as well as those who will purchase a copy of the book”, said Mrs Kotsifaki.
When: Sunday, 30 April at 4pm
Where: Nikos Andrianakos Hall, Alphington Grammar School, 18 Old Heidelberg Rd
The event is open to the community. A reception will follow in honour of all those attending.
