Andreas Papadopoulos recently brought Greek tradition to life in Melbourne through a special series of traditional dance workshops held for the first time in Australia.
Led by the acclaimed dance instructor from Athens’ Dora Stratou Dance Theatre the workshops offered a lot of Greek Australians an experience they will never forget.
Papadopoulos left Australia with a reminder that the “heart” of Hellenism beats strong, even in the farthest corners of the world.
“The Greek presence is everywhere, with a voice… with a mood for singing… with a craving for anything Greek, making it feel as though it gets closer to Greece, even if it’s just in spirit! Every encounter I had with a Greek felt like I was joining a party!” he told Neos Kosmos.
Papadopoulos, who has been dancing with the Dora Stratou Theatre since 19, said his experience in Australia left him with “beautiful and unique impressions.”
“I doubt I’ll be able to put them into words when I return home. I expected to see clubs—there were more than I could count! I thought I’d see a few people at the sessions, but the turnout exceeded all my expectations.”
His positive experience was further enhanced by the warm welcome from Melbourne’s Greek community.
“They embraced me like I was their own, like a son, a nephew, a grandchild. How can you describe such people? Everything was so deeply moving… All I received from these wonderful people was love and acceptance.”
Bringing Greek dance and culture to Melbourne
None of this would have been possible without Maria Tzikas, the Cultural Officer of The Kos Club of Melbourne and Victoria.
From dancing and performing to teaching, Greek dance has always been a part of her life, and her “Greek identity.”
“Through dance we keep our identity and our roots alive – it connects us to our past and ensures that we remember who we are and where we came from,” Maria Tzikas told Neos Kosmos.
After 25 years of undertaking workshops/seminars at the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre in Athens, Tzikas noticed a “relatively low” presence of Greek Australians.
This observation led her to the idea of bringing a dance instructor from the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre to Melbourne.
“Given that getting to Greece to partake in such events is a hard feat for most dance enthusiasts, in my mind it was obvious that it was easier to expose thousands of people to this experience by bringing someone to Australia.”
A wish to unite
After two years of planning and collaboration with the Kos Club, Tzika’s idea finally came to life this year.
Papadopoulos’s trip to Melbourne included visits to dance groups, community organisations, and schools, involving children as young as 5, many teens and youth, and even senior citizens.
“He loves working with young children and has a soft spot in his heart for this age group, yet he is just as adaptable at interacting and transmitting his art to adults and senior members of the community.”
Tzikas said Papadopoulos “has the ability and gift of communicating with people of all ages” and that his appeal to everyone he met was key to making his visit so “successful.”
“There was no ‘ego’. He was humble in his knowledge and demeanour; he was charismatic and respected; he was approachable and friendly.”
Papadopoulos said the purpose of his trip was to share a small part of his personal experiences with tradition.
“I didn’t come to divide, but to unite! I didn’t come to say what’s right or wrong. I came to share the feeling we have at ‘Dora Stratou,’ where I’ve been for many years, that we’re reconnecting with tradition.'”
“A historic moment”
The highlight of Papadopoulos visit to Melbourne was the three-day traditional dance seminar held at the Kos Club in Northcote.
“Over 600 people passed through our doors during those three days! Each workshop attracted more and more people. We even had dance teachers from Adelaide and Sydney fly to Melbourne for our events,” said President Kerry Sourasis.
Papadopoulos said “one of the most important and touching moments” were dance teacher’s participation to his workshops from across Australia.
“Teachers from Adelaide, Sydney, who didn’t know me, reached out and invited others to join … From our first meeting in every classroom to each conversation after the lesson, it’s an experience I will always remember!” he said.
The three-day seminar, aimed at dance teachers and experienced dancers, was a form of professional development, “which is something that is lacking in Australia and something we thirst for,” commented one of the participants.
“I hope this becomes an annual event – we need this interaction and connection with teachers from Greece.”
The seminar concluded with a traditional Glendi, bringing together Melbourne’s dance teachers in a “unique and historic moment.”
“For the first time ever, we saw over 20 dance teachers unite, hold hands and dance together in one circle. Each teacher showing respect and honour to each other and of each other’s craft.”
A sense of gratitude
Papadopoulos spoke warmly about dance teacher Stefanos Antoniou’s visit to his seminars, describing him as “the teacher of teachers.”
“He made me return to Greece a better man and teacher!”
When asked if there are plans to repeat such an event in the future, he hinted that the signs are positive.
“That’s what all the people who came… and believe me, it was a lot… have expressed. I think the momentum is there, and from now on, this exchange of emotions, so close to tradition, will be the missing piece, bringing us even closer.”
Papadopoulos shared that he has gained “far more” from his experience in Australia than he ever expected.
He thanked The Kos Club of Melbourne and Victoria for making the event a success, as well as all the teachers who took part.
Tzikas said she received messages of gratitude from members of the public “for reigniting that spark and love for Greek dance.”
“The joy and happiness and love that was evident everywhere Andreas went is all the thanks I need.”
She also thanked Papadopoulos, noting that while she had a “vision,” it was their collaboration that made the dream a reality.
Papadopoulos thanked Tzikas, stating her “vision, will, and belief, none of this dream we all lived together would have been possible!”
The Kos Club of Melbourne and Victoria extends its thanks to the following people for their participation in this year’s program:
– Jordan Moshcovitis – Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts
– Chris Konstantinides – Chris Konstantinides Greek Dancing School (Oakleigh and South Melbourne campuses)
– Anagennisi Band
– Omados Band
– Zois Tzikas – Kos Club Dancing Group
– Sophie Kovatse-Mavridis & Jenny Iliou – Greek Women’s Association of Manningham
– Joseph Tsobanopoulos – O Periklis
– Effie Bindevis – Alphington Grammar School
– George & Nicole Kiriakidis – The Cultural Centre of Florinians “Aristotelis”
– Jenny Iliou – Greek Community of Melbourne’s Language & Culture Schools
– Rev. Nicholaos Georgiou – The Presentation of Our Lady to the Temple (North Balwyn)
– Kostas Pataridis – Sts Anargiri Greek Language Centre
– All the dance instructors from Sydney and Adelaide
– All the volunteers who assisted at our various functions
