It was an emotional day for Hellenes worldwide as Giorgos Papadakis led the final broadcast of ‘Kalimera Ellada’, which makes it all the more meaningful that Australia’s Greeks got to take part and enrich the finale.
The staple of Greek television came to an end after 34 years on Friday 4 July, and Australia got to add its distinct flavour through a live cross to St. Basil’s Nursing Home in Lakemba, home to many residents who came to love the show over the years.
It was a highly emotional broadcast as its host, Giorgos Papadakis, delivered his final broadcast of the ANT1 show, with Sydney’s Hellenes able to share in the experience through Roula Aggelopoulos.
“(The people from Kalimera Ellada) reached out to me on the Monday before the Finale show,” Aggelopoulos told Neos Kosmos.
“I was deeply honoured and thrilled as this was a special moment in Greek television history.”
She explained that the show asked her to be part of the finale and even invited her to feature other people during their live cross to her, which is what inspired her to incorporate St. Basil’s into the show.
“The live cross to Greece was scheduled for Friday 3.30pm AEST when everyone was at work, so I decided best to cross live from St Basil’s Lakemba where my mum is a resident,” Aggelopoulos said.
“I wanted to share this special moment with my mum, and the other residents and staff of St Basil’s. Kalimera Ellada was streaming daily in all the rooms. It was the perfect place and it made sense to cross live from there.”
Aggelopoulos’ idea proved a master stroke as the residents, presenters and overall team of Kalimera Ellada all loved how it turned out, with the star being 100-year-old resident Chrisoula who got to say her own personal thanks to the show.
“The response has been amazing, it was truly heartwarming for all…The segment was also discussed on the “To Proino” TV show with Giorgos Liagas. One panellist said it was the best they had seen and also mentioned the 100-year-old resident Chrisoula,” she said.
“I am deeply appreciative and grateful for the overwhelming response.”
Aggelopoulos stated it was a huge privilege for her to be part of Papadakis’ final show, expressing her deep gratitude to have been asked to feature.
“The best thing for me was to share this experience with my mum and the residents at St Basil’s, as they were part of the Kalimera Ellada community all these 34 years,” she said.
“The residents watched this show from the very beginning, and it kept them connected to the homeland. Seeing the smiles, and their excitement when they heard they were going to be on the Kalimera Ellada TV show was precious.”
Aggelopoulos stressed that the absence of the show will be felt not just by the local Greeks but also the Greek diaspora around the world.
“Papadakis was the connection to the homeland. He was sending us a Kalimera from Ellada. Everyone in the diaspora was watching Kalimera Ellada at some point,” she said.
“I thank Papadakis for giving us 34 years of a Kalimera from Ellada. His absence will be felt.”
