The Meaning of Simplicity: The Poet Yannis Ritsos (1909-1990)
A presentation by Dr Alfred Vincent

A celebration in music, readings and narrative for the centenary of one of Greece’s greatest poets.

Date: Sun 22 March
Time: 5.30pm

65th Anniversary of Greek Armed Forces Political Mutiny, April 1944
A presentation by Martyn Brown

In April 1944, thousands of Greek soldiers and sailors throughout the Middle East engaged in political mutiny in support of the left wing Greek resistance movement.

Date: Wed 1 April
Time: 7.00pm

The Greek Connection

The Sarantides family called Susannah Place home for 11 years. This special night time tour will explore their story as described by descendants, and as revealed by research as well as the physical traces left behind

Date: Thur 2, Thur 9, Thur 16, Thur 23, & Thur 30 April
Time: 6.00pm

Homer Day
Homer’s Odyssey and It's Adventures Through History

One of the greatest works of world literature has been Homer’s Odyssey, which has offered constant inspiration to countless artists, scholars and ordinary readers.

Date: Sun 5 April
Time: 4.30pm

Andreas Kalvos: Poet of Revolution (1772-1869)
A talk by Literary Researcher Anastasia Anastasiadis, with readings

An evening of homage to a great poet from Zakynthos, 140 years after his death.

Date: Tues 7 April
Time: 7.00pm

Cavafy: Alexandria and Hellenism
A presentation by Dr Anthony Dracopouios

As a Greek of the Diaspora, Cavafy developed a unique relationship with both Alexandria - the city in which he spent the greatest part of his life - and Hellenism.

Date: Thur 9 April
Time: 7.00pm

Diggers And Greeks

Presentation by: Dr Maria Hill
Visiting Fellow at UNSW@ADFA

Introduction and Greek summary by Dr Panayota Nazou- Lecturer in Greek Language, Literature and Culture, Department of Modern Greek Studies, University of Sydney

The talk will examine how Australian soldiers, who came from a predominately Anglo-Celtic background, gained the trust, friendship and support of the Greek people. How did the Greek people react to soldiers from a culture so different from their own?

Date: Sun 26 April
Time: 4.30pm

Greek Odyssey
Presentation by Panayiotis Diamadis

This illustrated lecture will explore the deep roots of the Australian Hellenic community in Sydney in the interwar period. Curator Anna Cossu will explore the Hellenic connection with Susannah Place, a working class museum in The Rocks that was home to the Sarantides and Passaris families.

Date: Tues 28 April
Time: 6.00pm

Humour in the Literature of the Greeks of Australia
Presentation by Professor George Kanarakis

Professor Kanarakis’ lecture will show that just as humour has been an important element in the everyday life of the Greek immigrant in Australia, in the same way it has also been an ever present part of the literary expression of the Greeks in this country

Date: Wed 29 April
Time: 7.00pm

Yannis Ritsos 2009 Centenary Year
A presentation by Vasilis Kolovos

Yannis Ritsos, the poet of the Greek people, of peace and of the working class, was persecuted, imprisoned, exiled and tortured more than any of his colleagues by the bourgeoisie of his own country.

Date: Wed 6 May
Time: 7.00pm

Culture in Today’s Greece
A presentation by Vasilis Kolovos

Culture, in Greece, as a social asset, its commercialisation, the uncontrolled monopoly character it is acquiring, its orientation as an industry which aims to strike at people’s thinking and aesthetics, influenced by the needs of a globalised market, without any national characteristics.

Date: Wed 13 May
Time: 7.00pm

Aphrodite’s Island – 14 Years of Excavations
A joint presentation between the Australian Museum and Nicholson Museum for National Archaeology Week.

Craig Barker of Sydney University Museums explores the work conducted by The University of Sydney on the Hellenistic–Roman theatre in Paphos in Cyprus since 1995. The theatre of Paphos, constructed in c. 300 BC, hosted performances and entertainment for over six centuries.

Date: Tues 19 May
Time: 6.30pm