Greek Australian Kostas Efepoulos, living in Greece, has many life accomplishments to be proud of.
Efepoulos’ day job is as a school PE teacher in Patra. He also volunteers to support professional athletes using his academic studies in sports psychology.
However, beyond the day job and qualifications, Efepoulos is a member of Zante Dilemma, a band he co-founded in the 1990s with a broad fan base in and outside Greece.
The Melbourne-born Greek resident had a rough start after landing in Greece as a 15-year-old in the 1980s when his parents decided to relocate.
“I had to follow my parents; it was the classic case of migrants in Australia missing their homeland. And then you come here, and you find things completely different to what you had in mind,” he tells Neos Kosmos.
Efepoulos recounts suffering intense bullying at school as a newly-arrived teen in Greece.
“Being tossed around and thrown in the garbage bin. Horrible stuff. I couldn’t speak out then. Arriving in Greece as a teen, Efepoulos says he didn’t speak the language but graduated straight A from high school.
He describes encountering a backward mindset from kids his age who would “sense the different culture I grew up in” and mistake his “kindness for weakness”.
“Back then in Greece, being kind was considered a disadvantage.”
A few weeks ago he reached catharsis in the reconciliation journey with what he calls “a traumatic childhood period that took me many years to recover from.”
He created a song called ‘Stefane’ about the main Opposition party leader in Greece, SYRIZA’s Stefanos Kasselakis.
“A group of his friends approached me and asked me to write it. I spent four days watching YouTube videos, realising the relentless targeting Kasselakis has been subjected to.”
Efepoulos says he is “not into politics” or affiliated with SYRIZA or any other party. However, he decided to take up the project as he empathised with Kasselakis “on a human level.”
“I saw a parallel life to mine, and this is why I took his side, not for politics. If you listen to the song, it’s got nothing to do with politics, no reference to the party in the lyrics whatsoever.”
If Greek media had pronounced that ‘Stefane’ refers to Kasselakis, it would have passed for another Zante Dilemma song.
Their first hit, which helped them rise in popularity shortly after the band’s creation in Zakynthos, also bore someone’s first name.
‘Christina’, still broadcasted in newer versions by Greek radio, was the band’s inaugural album recording.
“Often people know our songs but don’t know it’s us behind them. We don’t strive for publicity; it’s enough satisfaction having thousands attend our concerts.”
Zante Dilemma, Efepoulos says, has developed a following in Northern Europe over the years, particularly in Scandinavian countries, France and Germany.
Among their highlights is a collaboration with UK singer and former model Samantha Fox, resulting in songs like ‘The Secret’ and ‘Midnight Lover’.
“The 1980s heavily influenced our music style – we produced digital sound before it became a trend in Greece. “People would criticise us, but today, everyone uses digital distortion in voice and instruments.
“We found many closed doors, but our attitude is the opposite, keeping doors open. So, we help new musicians who reach out and keep ourselves open to new opportunities.”
Efepoulos says writing the song about Kasselakis was another instance of ‘keeping the door open’.
In the hours he spent studying videos of the SYRIZA leader’s body language and public attitude, he says he was observing him “as a human, not a political figure.”
“I am a trained psychologist so that I can draw conclusions from his movements, the way he looks at people in the eyes, his reactions to all the negative vibes he receives.
“This man has been attacked relentlessly, and mind you, he smiles with his eyes.”
Questioned about the fact that Kasselakis became a politician willingly, which opens him to public scrutiny and criticism, Efepoulos says he believes Kasselakis, like him, “was not prepared for the extent of personal attacks he was subjected to.”
“My late dad used to say, ‘People don’t target a dried tree; they target that one which is blossomed and bears fruit.
“I honestly think that Kasselakis’ attackers see potential in him and are subconsciously jealous of him. They don’t even realise the amount of publicity they give him.”
An excerpt of the song’s lyrics clarifies his intentions: When I turn the screen on, I can see blackness bursting on you with rage…Stefane, we can travel together above their misery which sends birds away,
“I hope through this song, people can see Stefanos in a different light. Music serves a role when it changes things for the better.”
Kasselakis’ reaction to the song has been “very positive”, Mr Efepoulos says, citing a source in the SYRIZA leader friends’ circle.
“I’ll meet him in person soon and explain why I wrote the song”.
After the song came out, Efepoulos says he experienced personal attacks.
“I don’t even want to mention what I heard in the phone calls I received. It’s not by chance that Greek media started making this a news story after I publicly stated on the radio that I received life threats.
“All I’ll say is I think there is a well-established status quo bothered by Kasselakis’ entry into politics.”
Asked about what he would advise children subjected to bullying, he said it has been “two decades that I’ve been processing these types of behaviour from my experience.”
“I tell kids at school, and I’ve seen it work, is ‘stay away from the bully, keep your distance, and they may eventually understand their wrongdoing. But at the very least, your soul will stay calm.”
Have you ever felt being bullied in Greece as a Greek Australian? Send us an email to editor@neoskosmos.com.au if you have a story to share that could help others.
For help reach out to any of the organizations below:
- Head Space: headspace.org.au
1800 650 890
headspace helps young people aged 12–25 years who are going through a tough time.
- Kids Helpline: kidshelpline.com.au
1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline offers a 24/7 telephone and online counselling and support service for young people aged 5–25 years.
- Lifeline: lifeline.org.au
13 11 14
Lifeline provides crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all ages. Call 13 11 14 or chat online every night.
