Editorial
Happy National Day and Happy 200th Anniversary!
Perth has also "dressed up" in blue and white today to honour this important Bicentennial for Hellenism worldwide:
The Greek flag is flying in front of the Council House as well as the Perth Concert Hall, while the Council House, the Bell Tower, Matagarup Bridge, Mount Street Bridge, Sky Ribbon, Joondalup Drive Bridge as well as the Northbridge Tunnel entry artwork have been lit this evening in the colours of the Greek flag.
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Message from the President of the Hellenic Republic, Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou, on the occasion of the 200th Anniversary of the National Day of 25 March 2021
(video in Greek)
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The seeds of the Revolution:
The Greek Diaspora
The Greek Diaspora has been playing an instrumental role in the shaping of Greece, even before its Independence. It is actually by the Diaspora that the planning of the Revolution began.
Special mention should be made to Rigas Velestinlis (or Rigas Feraios) and to the Society of Friends ("Filiki Etaireia").
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Rigas Velestinlis from Thessaly (1757-1798) emerged as the most influential revolutionary of the Balkans at the end of the 18th century. Within him, burned the flame for freedom and justice. Influenced by the French Revolution, disappointed by Russia's antics, and enthusiastic about Napoleon's personality, he hoped to liberate the Greeks and the other Balkan people from the yoke of the Sultan. After 1796, he based his operations in Vienna, where he published the Charter of Greece and the Constitution of the Hellenic Republic. He envisioned a multiethnic and tolerant Balkan political union, free from the Ottoman rule, in which the Greeks would play the central role. He was arrested by the Austrians, who handed him over to the Ottomans. They executed him in Belgrade in 1798.
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A secret society, the "Society of Friends", was founded in Odesa, Russia's largest port in the Black Sea by Emmanuel Xanthos from Patmos, Athanasios Tsakalov from Giannena and Nikolaos Skoufas from Arta. Its goal was to liberate the Greeks from the Ottoman rule. Like the masonic societies of the time, it had a concealed nature, ritualistic initiation procedures, complex internal hierarchy, and strict regulations for self-protection. In 1818 the society's headquarters were transferred to Istanbul. Emmanuel Xanthos offered the leadership of the society to the Minister of the Russian Tsar Ioannis Kapodistrias, but he declined it. Finally, in 1820, the Tsar's aide, Alexandros Ypsilantis, a descendant of one of the most influential Phanariot families, took over the society's leadership. He was the person who declared the beginning of the Revolution in February 1821 with the crossing of the Prut river.
( Source: Greece2021)
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The Greek Revolution in Art
The Greek War of Independence inspired many non-Greeks to take up arms and join the struggle. It also captured the hearts and minds of artists and writers at that time and continues to inspire them to the present day. We have all heard of the big Philhellene poet Lord Byron or the famous paintings of Delacroix, inspired by moments of the Greek Revolution,
Surprisingly, French author Jules Verne, known for his adventure stories and prophetic science fiction, was also inspired by the Greek War of Independence and wrote the adventure novel The Archipelago on Fire.
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On the 18th of October, 1827, about five o’clock in the evening, a small Levantine vessel piloted by Captain Nicholas Starkos of the Karysta, returns home to Vitylo, an ancient village in the Peloponnesus, only to be denied entry by his mother, who denounces him for what he’s become. In the late 1820s – around the time of Verne’s birth – the Greek and the Turks were at war. Lt. Henry d’Albaret of the French navy, along with other Frenchmen, has joined the Greeks in this war. After recovering from a wound received in battle, d’Albaret meets Hadjine Elizundo, his banker’s charming daughter. They fall in love then make plans to marry, but Starkos, who holds a devastating secret against the girl’s father, demands her hand in marriage.
The distraught father soon dies, thus freeing Hadjine from her obligation of marrying Starkos, but she breaks off her engagement to d’Albaret, feeling that because of her father’s dealings she is unworthy to marry such an honest and respectable man like Henry. While she takes steps to right her father’s wrongs, the distraught d’Albaret returns to the war until he’s given command of the ship Syphanta. He then sails along the archipelago in search of pirates, who are taking advantage of the Greek-Turkish conflict. The most notorious of these pirates, and suspected leader of them all, is Sacratif. D’ Albaret’s search for Sacratif takes him to Crete where Verne brings this informative and entertaining novel to a surprise ending.
(Source: GreekNewsAgenda)
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Did you know...?
The 25th of March was not actually the date the Greek Revolution began. The initial plan of the Society of Friends (Filiki Etairia) was indeed for the armed Struggle to start on 25th March, a day with high symbolism as it is also a big celebration for Orthodox Christianity (Evangelismos - The Annunciation of our Lady). However, the Ottoman Authorities found out about those plans, so the beginning of the Struggle had to be precipitated.
The 25th of March was first established as the day we commemorate the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution in 1838, during King Otto's reign. It was this year that the first celebration also took place in Athens.
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Happening elsewhere but accessible also here...
During the times of social distancing caused by the ongoing global pandemic, online exchanges and resources have flourished. They manage to bring us together and give us access to activities that we may have not been able to experience otherwise. Due to the pandemic big part of the Bicentenary Celebration is happening onlie. Virtual events can thus also reach the most isolated City in the world.
This week there is a quite lot to choose from:
Nikolaos Matzaros- Dionysios Solomos: “Hymn to Liberty”
The Hymn to Liberty by Dionysios Solomos, in a rare musical version composed by Nikolaos Chalikiopoulos-Mantzaros, is presented for the first time by MEIZON male vocal ensemble on the occasion of the National Anniversary on March 25. With this major online concert, Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall offers to all Greeks around the world and to all foreign lovers of Greek culture, an opportunity to meet and musically celebrate, on Thursday, March 25 at 8: 30 pm, this defining event of Modern Greek History.
Iconic paintings by 19th century Greek painters, whose palette exalted the struggle for national regeneration, are also used to enrich the video of the broadcast. The paintings to be shown have been created by Theodoros Vryzakis, Angelos Giallinas, Nikolaos Gyzis, Georgios Margaritis and Dionysios Tsokos (courtesy of the National Gallery- photos by Stavros Psiroukis).
With greek and english sublitles.
Available for streaming on the megaron website, youtube channel and facebook page until 25/4/2021 and on demand until 31/12/2021.
https://www.megaron.gr/en/event/meizon-ensemble-2/
Οι δράσεις την Επιτροπής «Ελλάδα 2021» για την 25η Μαρτίου (Activities of the Committee “Greece2021” for the 25th of March)
Φέτος, η πανδημία μας βάζει εμπόδια στις εκδηλώσεις που θα θέλαμε να χαρούμε με την ευκαιρία της διακοσιοστής επετείου.
Παρόλα αυτά, η Επιτροπή «Ελλάδα 2021», με τις έξι δράσεις που ετοίμασε για την Επέτειο της 25ης Μαρτίου, φιλοδοξεί να τιμήσει την ημέρα που οι πρόγονοί μας άναψαν τη φλόγα της ελευθερίας και, την ίδια στιγμή, μέσα από έναν εικονικό διάλογο μαζί τους, να αναδείξει πού οδήγησαν οι θυσίες και οι αγώνες που έδωσαν. Να προβάλει πού βρίσκεται σήμερα η Ελλάδα, μέσα από την πορεία αυτών των 200 ετών.
For information on the specific actions visit https://www.greece2021.gr/25martiou (note in particular the short documentary about the 200 years of Greece, available in Greek, English and French https://www.greece2021.gr/se-gnorizo-apo-tin-opsi)
Benaki Museum of Athens: short videos about aspects of the Revolution
Your chance for a "crash course" on the Revolution by two 3-minute prepared by the Benaki Museum of Athens (in Greek with English subtitles):
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Figures and Events of the Greek Revolution
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Philhellenism and the Beginning of the Struggle for Independence
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"From the Europe of empires to the Europe of nation-states: The Greek Revolution of 1821 in international context, 200 years on"
The British School at Athens presents this lecture by Professor Roderick Beaton (King's College London)
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What's happening in WA
Stay informed about past and future activities
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200th Anniversary National Day Celebrations
During this landmark year for Greece, March is in the heart of the celebrations for the 200th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 25 March 1821. Ι have the pleasure of inviting all Greeks, Greek-Australians and friends of Greece in Western Australia to participate in the numerous festivities to honour this year’s National Day commemoration! The planned events for this year are the following:
- From 26 March to 3 April: Exhibition titled «Greece Liberated: Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic and Consular Relations» at the ground floor of the Perth Town Hall, 601 Hay St (corner Barrack), WA 6000. The exhibition will also include a special section on the history of the Consulate of Greece in Perth. Open Daily: 10.00-16.00, except Sunday 28 March and 2 April (see also flyer below).
- 28 March at 10.30 am: Doxology at the Greek Orthodox Church of Evangelismos, 57 Carr St, West Perth WA 6005.
- 28 March at 12.30 pm: Wreath Laying Ceremony at the State War Memorial in King’s Park. The Ceremony will take place in the presence of the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia.
- Lastly, on 28 March, right after the Wreath Laying Ceremony, from around 2 p.m., it will be my pleasure to welcome you to a special National Day/Bicentenary Celebration for the Greek Community of WA at St Andrew’s Grammar (see also flyer below). For organisational purposes please advise on your intention to join the Celebration either by email (grcon.per@mfa.fr) or phone (08 93256608).
Georgia Karasiotou
Consul of Greece in Perth
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Calendar of events
for the 200th Anniversary Celebrations in WA
*This is a provisional calendar for the next 3 months; it will be enriched and updated regularly
Thursday, 25 March 2021
National Day Reception
6.30-8.30 pm
Perth Town Hall, 601 Hay Street
Consulate of Greece in Perth
Friday, 26 March to Saturday 3 April 2021
Exhibition: Greece Liberated - Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic and Consular Relations - The History of the Consulate in Perth
Opening simultaneously with the National Day Reception, afterwards open daily 10am-4pm (except for Sunday 28 March)
Perth Town Hall, 601 Hay Street
Consulate of Greece in Perth
Sunday, 28 March 2021
Doxology for the National Day
10.30 pm
Church of Evangelismos - "The Annunciation of Our Lady"
Wreath Laying Ceremony on the occasion of the National Day
12.30 pm
State War Memorial, Kings Park
Consulate of Greece in Perth
National Day - 200th Anniversary Celebration
From 2.00 pm
St Andrew's Grammar, 2 Hellenic Drive, Dianella
Consulate of Greece in Perth
Tuesday, 13 April 2021
Vlase Zanalis: Orthodox Iconographer and Illustrator of the Indigenous
Academic Lecture presented by Dr John Yiannakis OAM
6.00 pm
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, 22 Dianella Drive, Dianella
Archdiocesan District of Perth
May 2021
"From the Birth of Independence (1821) to Castellorizian Independence (1947)"
Second part of the series of articles in the "Megisti Messenger" Magazine
Castellorizian Association of WA
Friday, 7 May 2021
200 Χρόνια Ελεύθερη Ελλάδα
Tsitsanis, Hatzidakis, Xarchakos, Theodorakis
Songs of Liberation by Greece's four Great Composers
Featuring International Vocalist: Dimitris Basis
Perth Concert Hall
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If you too wish to publish something to our Bulletin, please email us at grcon.per@mfa.gr with the indication on the subject line "for the 200 Years Bulletin"
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