The story of Australia’s Hellenism has been the source of celebration for many, and documenting it has been the mission of the project “Our People, Their Stories” which has now marked its one-year anniversary.
The milestone was celebrated on Saturday (4 October) at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney, during which the project was officially presented in person after launching online last year.
The living museum’s celebration was attended by numerous officials and guests, including Archbishop Makarios of Australia and Linda Mendoni, Greece’s Minister of Culture.
Both gave speeches at the event with Archbishop Makarios praising the project’s director and initiator, Markellos Petropoulos, while noting the significance of the various migrants who recounted their stories through the endeavour.
He also thanked the many supporters of the endeavour, noting in particular the Greek Ministry of Culture, which has placed the project “Our People, Their Stories” under its auspices and recently awarded it a grant of €120,000.
Addressing Mendoni specifically, he stated:
“She embraced our ambitious vision from the outset who wholeheartedly embraced our initiative and offered us what we Greeks of the Diaspora need most – the moral reassurance that the State of our beloved homeland is close to us.”
Archbishop Makarios concluded his speech with a message to the younger generation of the Greek diaspora to make sure the stories of their ancestors are not forgotten.
“Make sure you learn the stories of our people, your parents, grandmothers, and grandfathers, and be inspired by their example to face the challenges of modern times,” he said.
“Please do not overlook this valuable heritage. For whoever is indifferent to their history is like a tree that cuts off its roots.”
Minister Mendoni expressed her respect and admiration for the Greeks who emigrated during the difficult post-war years and praised the initiative of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia to record their stories.
“The Greek Ministry of Culture, recognising the value of cultural memory as the foundation of our national identity, warmly embraced this effort, placing it under its auspices,” she said.
” We are convinced that (the project) will become a benchmark for the Greek cultural presence in Australia and internationally.”
The guests engaged in a tour of an adjacent room following the speeches which displayed old objects related to the migration history of the Greek community in Australia.
Professor Vrasidas Karalis from the University of Sydney served as the master of ceremonies for the anniversary event.
Numerous church representatives and official dignitaries representing Greece and Cyprus also attended the event.
