A unique collection of Hellenic costumes and jewellery, some dating back more than 200 years, has been revealed for the first time outside New South Wales, with the opening in the national capital of an exhibition curated by the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney.
And it’s a show that goes to the heart of the Greek Australian experience, because ‘Hellenic Threads’ reveals not only scores of beautifully embroidered garments, but the story of how Australia’s first generation Greek migrants brought their precious family heirlooms, dating back centuries, to their new homeland, and which are now being recognised widely for their historic cultural value.
The show, brought to Canberra by the Hellenic Club, is the product of years of voluntary research by Sydney’s Hellenic Lyceum that was formed in 1951, 40 years after the pioneering female Hellenic cultural association was created in Athens.
In his opening speech, Hellenic Club director and treasurer Peter Peppas said: “We’re passionate about this kind of initiative. We spend a lot of time focusing on the classical age, but sometimes perhaps we don’t spend so much time on our modern history, and that defines who we are today. This exhibition brings that idea to life.”
Kathy Liogas-Sojanovic, president of the Lyceum in Sydney, thanked the club for its “foresight in bringing the exhibition to the national capital”.
“It was a great success in Sydney and we want to bring this show to other states so they can experience it.
“While lyceums in the United States have very active dance and cultural groups, there are no collections like this of costumes and jewellery.”
A long-held ambition of the Hellenic Lyceum is to find a home for its continually growing collection. “We’d love a permanent exhibition space, but we just don’t have the funds,” said Ms Liogas-Sojanovic.
“We raise funds by putting on functions and all the money raised goes towards buying costumes.”
The ‘Hellenic Threads’ exhibition comprises about 50 costumes set against jewellery, furniture and other antique artefacts, all depicting a rich kaleidoscope of regional cultural expression across Greece.
Many of the Lyceum’s costumes have come from the attics of Greek Australian families in Australia – handed down through the generations.
Canberran Nick Bogiatzis, a private collector of Hellenic artefacts, who is of Kastellorizo heritage, described the exhibition as “extraordinary”.
“The range and quality is remarkable we should be making more of this collection. Many of these original items were brought to Australia by the first Greek migrants, there’s not much left in Greece, so Australia is a major repository.”