Dr Panayota Nazou who wrote the authoritative book “Promised Brides” will reflect on the brave journeys Greek brides undertook to Australia between 1950-75 in the upcoming online event by the Food for Thought network at 8pm on Monday, 23 August.
Dr Nazou is a leading authority on the phenomenon of arranged marriages of Greek women. She lectured at the Modern Greek department at the University of Sydney from 1987 to 2017 and her book, which incorporated the personal testimonies and interviews with numerous brides, received much media attention.
Professor Vrasidas Karalis of the University of Sydney’s Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies was to say of Dr Nazou’s work: “The book “Promised Brides” constitutes the most systematic and coherent research in the phenomenon of promised brides in Australia between 1950 and 1975.”
Dr Nazou said the practice of arranged marriages defined the first generation of Greek migrants to Australia and determined the cultural cohesion of the Greek-Australian community.
READ MORE: Immigrant mail order brides, a phenomenon examined in ‘Promised Brides’ book
“The book is important as it indicates the social, cultural and political function of the arranged marriage,” said Dr Nazou.
Food for Thought Network founder Varvara Ioannou said that it was very important for the Greek community to celebrate and appreciate the stories of these women.
She said her organisation’s Zoom events had gained momentum since they were launched during the first lockdown of last year. They had helped build camaraderie and support among Greek women around the world.
“The Food for Thought Network recognised there was a profound need for women of Greek heritage to hear about the exemplary strength of their female predecessors and draw upon their resilient qualities during current times of adversity, such as COVID,” said Ms Ioannou.
♦ For more information visit the Food for Thought Network website. Go to the Trybooking website to book for the event.