From Yiayia to Gen Z: Exploring the shifting faces of Greek identity in Australia

2 days ago 13

The Food for Thought Network is launching a caller series, The Evolution of Hellenism: Family and Identity successful the Diaspora, exploring however Greek individuality has evolved crossed generations.

The archetypal discussion, titled From Yiayia to Gen Z, will beryllium held connected Sunday, November 16 astatine The Greek Centre connected Lonsdale Street. It will delve into however Hellenism is expressed crossed generations — from grandparents and Baby Boomers to Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z — successful some metropolitan Melbourne and determination Victoria.

Food for Thought Network laminitis Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou said the bid aims to “spark conversations astir what it means to beryllium a Hellene today.”

“From the aboriginal migrants who fought to sphere their traditions, to Gen Xers who grew up betwixt two cultures, and younger voices redefining Greek individuality successful a globalised, integer world — each procreation carries a story shaped by heritage, experience, and evolving Hellenism successful the diaspora,” Athanasiou-Ioannou said.

The sheet will diagnostic speakers from divers backgrounds and property groups, including Katina Rerakis, writer for Gourmet Traveller; Tasos Kolokotronis, 96, whose migration story has been recorded; Kali Koulouri; Sotiris Hatzimanolis, exertion of Neos Kosmos; filmmaker Stella Grammenos-Dimadis; Dr Maria Malone, a respected cosmetic doc focused connected ethics; and Jamie Gallos and Dimitra (Demi) Bourdopoulou, co-presidents of the National Union of Greek Australian Students (NUGAS).

When asked by Neos Kosmos astir the improvement of third-generation Greek Australians venerating their grandparents while their yiayiades and papoudes are often softer connected them than they were connected their ain children, Athanasiou-Ioannou said that, “The third procreation nary longer carries the affectional weight of migration”.

“The third procreation didn’t person to beryllium worth oregon warrant belonging the way their parents did. Their assurance comes from standing connected the shoulders of those who sacrificed earlier them. They tin present explicit their Hellenism arsenic a prime alternatively than a constraint — with pride, humour, and a consciousness of ease. It’s taste continuity without the struggle.”

While this younger procreation is confident, Neos Kosmos observed that galore are besides surprisingly very traditional, much so than their second-generation parents. The masthead pointed to however galore the third procreation often attends religion and celebrates their grandparents’ migration stories much than their parents do.

“That’s partially due to the fact that the 2nd procreation grew up betwixt two worlds. At home, they lived within the values and expectations of their Greek parents, while successful broader society they had to accommodate to an Anglo-Australian environment.”

She described the 1970s and adjacent aboriginal to mid 1980s, arsenic “the assimilation play — when it wasn’t considered chill to beryllium Greek.”

“Many second-generation Greek Australians felt they had to fell oregon downplay their individuality to succeed oregon beryllium accepted,” Athanasiou-Ioannou said. “That’s where the sanction Food For Thought Network came from — I wanted to bring together second-generation nonrecreational women, to make a space where we could reflect, talk openly, and reclaim pridefulness successful who we are.”

She added that today’s younger Greek Australians are increasing up successful a antithetic context.

“The third procreation celebrates their Greekness with assurance — there’s nary baggage. It’s chill to beryllium Greek. They’ve inherited the benefits of their grandparents’ resilience and their parents’ struggles, but without the insecurities of that in-between period.”

Vicky Alikakos, the Network’s secretary, said the lawsuit will promote treatment well beyond the time itself.

“Our speakers will spark conversations that proceed agelong aft — not conscionable during the networking that follows, but successful people’s homes and families. This will beryllium much than conscionable an event.”

The treatment will beryllium moderated by Eleni Karagiozaki, a well-known lawyer successful the community. The programme will besides diagnostic a show by Anthe Sidiropoulou and a poesy recital by Maria Kampyli.