Greece resonates with the Greek Diaspora, it transcends barriers of time, distance, and circumstances.
This sentiment is shared by many who, despite leaving their ancestral land to settle in Australia, have always felt a connection to the place that, to this very day, many, still call home.
Even in the face of the travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Greek Australians held onto their deep longing to return, echoing the theme of nostos—a concept deeply rooted in Ancient Greek literature, where epic heroes are drawn back to their homelands.
For some, the return to Greece or other destinations, after a period of harsh lockdowns and restrictions, marked a reconnection with their roots.
For others it meant reuniting with family, and revisiting cherished memories, personal experiences and intergenerational truths, all tied to their cultural heritage.
“Great ideas may come from one person, but it takes many people to realise them”
Emmanuel Angelicas, a professional photographer and co-founder and director of the Australian Museum of Contemporary Photography in Sydney, embarked on a journey to explore and capture these meaningful returns.
“Last year was a really interesting, year because a lot of people were returning to Greece after that COVID stress. It was a really interesting period, because there was a lot of uncertainty involved and people weren’t sure whether they were going to see loved ones again, and all that kind of feeling and emotion that’s related to that. Initially it gave me a sense of what it possibly could have felt like for the first migrants that came out,” said Emmanuel Angelicas, to Neos Kosmos.
The Greek Australian photographer curated a collection of fifteen photographic essays, contributed by sixteen individuals, who shared their personal experiences upon returning to Greece for the first time, after pandemic restrictions had eased.
With the support of the Greek Australian Society, this compilation was launched as a limited-edition book titled “Epistrofi,” with only 100 copies available.
“Great ideas may come from one person, but it takes many people to realise them,” noted Angelicas.
It’s all “in the framing”
Among the contributors of these photographic essays was also George Mpliokas, the Secretary of the Greek Australian Society.
“There was a clear understanding that travel had been changed, but we couldn’t take the process of travel for granted or maybe in the way that we had in the immediate past. The ability to travel freely, that was very much changed,” said George Mpliokas, to Neos Kosmos.
The Secretary of the Greek Australian Society, who travelled to Constantinople and Cyprus, described his first post-pandemic trip as a “different experience.”
“Some of the experiences [shared by contributors] were deeply personal,” delving into connections not just with places but also “with people, family, and relatives.”
Mpliokas, speaking from a photographer’s perspective, conveyed how taking photographs during his journey, enabled him to frame images that evoked a profound sense of connection and empathy for the viewer.
In a Greek Australian context, he highlighted that this was particularly evident when he would capture images of “people in their homes.”
“It’s something that relates to people that we have close to us, people that might have left places that they may not be identical or exactly the same but very familiar to us,” he explains.
“That evokes a lot of emotions in people. And I think that, it’s in the in the framing [of the photographs], where people can remember who and what is important to them to remember and reflect on their Greek Australian upbringing. I think that’s very powerful.”
Capturing the essence of return-experiences in a post-pandemic world
The concept for Epistrofi, (Επιστροφή) meaning “return” formed when Emmanuel Angelicas, along with his wife Ellena, noticed “something really nice” in the photos and posts shared by friends who were already in Greece, on social media.
“While I was preparing to go to Greece in the beginning of 2022, I began looking at photographs that friends were taking that were already in Greece and reading some of their posts and talking to them through messages and calls, I said to my wife there’s something nice about what people are doing. And she said, ‘we need to take this further.'”
Bringing this idea to life, and with his wife Ellena, a primary source of inspiration, Angelicas, reached out to “people who were already in Greece.”
He motivated them to continue capturing moments while also documenting their “reflections,” with the plan of submitting a collection of photographs accompanied by written pieces of “no more than 300 words,” upon their return to Australia.
“What evolved out of looking at this work is now a wonderful collection, not only in image files, but stories,” he said.
The Greek Australian photographer, reflected on the personal significance of the word “epistrofi” (return), saying:
“I travel all over the world, and wherever I go, it’s an ‘epistrofi’ for me. When I come back to Marrickville, where I create my significant body of work, it’s an ‘epistrofi’ because I’m coming back home. People interpret that word however they want, but for most of them, it was a big ‘epistrofi,’ because of the uncertainty [caused by the pandemic].”
“Beauty is in the eye of beholder”
The photographs from the book Epistrofi were also on display at an exhibition held at Prince Henry in Randwick, Sydney, during August 2023.
This exhibition served as an extension of the book, featuring each contributor’s double-page introduction printed and presented.
“It’s like their own personal chapters,” remarked Angelicas.
When asked about photos that personally left an impression on him, the co-founder and director of the Australian Museum of Contemporary Photography turned the question around, prompting readers to think about what it is about images that resonates with each individual on a personal level.
“What is it about images that evoke strong emotions and convey powerful messages to you? What does it do to you?
“Beauty is in the eye of beholder. You might like chilli on your pizza. I don’t. It’s all personal. It’s all relevant, and it’s all subjective,” he added.
“We have talent here”
Angelicas also commented on the current state of Greek events within Sydney’s wider Australian Greek community, highlighting a notable flaw in the funding approach for these events.
“I strongly believe that whoever’s in charge of funding projects for Greek events in Sydney has got it all wrong.”
He pointed out that a significant amount of funds is dedicated to bringing people from overseas, “when we’ve got the best talent in the world, right under our noses. ”
He argued that the focus should not only target an audience that has been in Australia for “a million years,” and should adapt, “just like the church is beginning to change,” by providing services in English.
“The Greek community people that run those events need to look no further. We have talent here.”
