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Australian-Greek war novel now published in Greek

A. Papapostolou — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 06:14:09 +0000

Name: Phil Kafcaloudes
Item price: Announcement
Location: Melbourne

Description:
In 2011 my novel Someone Else’s War was published in English. It told the story of my maternal grandmother, Olga Stambolis, who was a spy in Greece in Wold War Two. She was a woman with a family in Australia, who were waiting for her to come back from Greece. But she had been recruited by the British government and trained as a spy. Through a series of miscommunications and the fact that she was embedded deeply within the Greek underground, her family in Sydney came to think she had been killed in the Nazi invasion in 1942. Her husband eventually sought the Australian authorities to have her listed as dead, and he married again soon after, having two children with his new wife. He didn’t know that Olga was sabotaging, spying and rescuing. He didn’t know when she had been caught by the Nazis and was fretting away in Averoff prison dreaming of their family. His thought was for their three young daughters and son, who were without a mother.

The English version of Someone Else’s War sold well, and went into reprint a year ago. Then, almost unexpectedly, I received word from Psichogios Publications in Athens (the Greek language rights holders to the Harry Potter franchise), that they wanted to publish Someone Else’s War for the Greek language market in Europe. A few months ago I went to Athens to sign a contract, and met the company’s founder, Mr Psichogios, a gentle and enthusiastic man who obviously loves publishing and helping people to tell their stories.

At first they said the book would be coming out in April 2013, but then I got an email from the Psichogios people telling me that the date had changed. I expected this bit of news. After all, Greece was in a time of terrible financial turmoil. In the back of my mind there was an expectation that the book would be out off until next August, then the following year, then infinity.

But no. They told me that the publication date was being brought forward to December 2012! In the world of publishing, this is a fast turnaround. It meant only 5 months from contract signing to publication. Granted, the book was already written, but they had to translate it, give it a new cover that would appeal to the Greek market, and go through the manuscript and check any slight factual errors that wold be picked up by Athenian residents (and yes, there were a couple).

So yes, the book is now available in Olga’s homeland and across the world as an ebook on iTunes. The good people at Psichogios publications have changed the name of their Greek version to “Olga’s War” (it translates much more smoothly in Greek than “Someone Else’s War”). I love the cover too. It is a different species of artwork to Julie Ramsden’s original English concept, but they are both terrific. You can see it on my blog page at www.someoneelseswar.info

I hope you like it.

PS: And as an Apple fan, to have two books on iTunes is a thrill (even if they are two versions of the same one.

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A Macedonian Lunch at Ithaka Kafeneion

A. Papapostolou — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:52:34 +0000

Name: Ithaka Kafeneion
Item price: Announcement
Location: Sydney

Description:
We thought to tell you about an interesting event.

Surprisingly, for a relatively small country, Greek cuisine varies greatly across its regions. The cuisine of the northern Greek region of Macedonia is no exception, offering its own indigenous and distinctive specialties, as well as characteristically pan-Hellenic dishes. Interestingly, Macedonia also has sub-regional cuisines such as Pontian and Politiki brought over by Pontian Greeks and Greeks of Constantinople and the surrounding regions, as they fled persecution.
This diversity is brought together in the taverns and home kitchens of the ancient and grand Macedonian capital of Thessaloniki. This city is also renowned for its desserts. In fact, Thessaloniki is often called glykomana (Sweet Mother) by the locals because of its huge number of sweet shops.

To coincide with the incredibly exciting exhibition, Alexander the Great: 2000 years of treasures, from the State Hermitage, Russia starting November 24 at the Australian Museum, Ithaka Kafeneion will be offering, A Macedonian Lunch (including dessert) featuring the cuisine from the northern regions of Greece and Alexander’s homeland.

A Macedonian Lunch will be available from 1130am to 4pm every Saturday from November 24 until December 22 and will cost $30 per person. Ithaka Kafeneion is located at 13/24-30 Springfield Avenue, Potts Point.

If you bring your exhibition ticket, Ithaka Kafeneion will provide you with a special gift.

Please click on the attached file for more booking information.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Being Greek Festival 2012 in Sydney

Marianna Tsatsou — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:26:37 +0000

Name: Fist Pump Entertainment Group
Item price: events
Location: Kogarah, Sydney

Description:
The Greek Orthodox Community & Parish of Kogarah in Sydney presents an amazing event for everyone who wants to BE GREEK FOR A DAY. For more information contact Billy Billiris on +61 (02) 9591 9084.

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Yiannis Ploutarhos Live @ The Greek Club in Brisbane

Marianna Tsatsou — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:44:34 +0000

Name: GOYA
Item price: events
Location: South Brisbane

Description:
Greek singer Yiannis Ploutarhos will meet his fans and sing for them on Friday 21st September at the Greek Club, 29 Edmondstone St in South Brisbane. Maria Iakovou will also be on stage.
For tickets call 3844 1166

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GREECE’S YIANNIS NATHANAIL RECEIVES INVITATION FOR THE MOOMBA MASTERS

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:02:03 +0000

Name: admin
Item price: news
Location: athens,greece

Description:
The Victorian Water Ski Association, organizer of the Moomba Masters International Invitational Championships, conducted as part of the Moomba Water Festival on the Yarra River in Melbourne, from 7th to the 12th of March 2012, has honored the 2011 Greek National Junior and Open Slalom Champion, Yiannis Nathanail, with an invitation to participate in the tournament. Yiannis Nathanail, 17, from Athens, also the 2010 bronze Jr. European Champion, is the first Greek male water skier to receive such an invitation. Presence of the Greek team in the event is of great and symbolic importance, as the city of Melbourne is the third largest Greek city outside Europe, and Yarra River has been an inspiration for one of the most prominent Modern Greek poets. However, due to the Greek economic crisis and luck of funds, his participation is currently uncertain. For support, please contact: vanatha@otenet.gr

STORY: http://water-skier.blogspot.com/2012/01/greeces-yiannis-nathanail-receives.html

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2012 Greek Festival in Cherrybrook

Alexia — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:31:42 +0000

Name: Alexia Charalambous
Item price: community, News, Announcement
Location: Cherrybrook

Description:
The parish of St Therapon, a Greek Orthodox Church based in Thornleigh, is pleased to announce the hosting of its Second Annual Greek Festival on Sunday 12th February 2012. The Festival is being held at Cherrybrook’s Greenway Park between 11am and 7pm.

This follows the huge success of last year’s festival were we had between 800 – 1200 people of all ages and ethnic origins show up to express their inner Greek!

As with last year, we strive to share our Hellenic culture and build stronger community ties with our local neighbours and friends. We also wish to reveal and reconnected the animated and lively Greek community that already exists in the North and North-Western suburbs of Sydney.

The festival will have a range of attractions to suit a great range of people, just like last year. Once again we will have a great LIVE Greek band, playing a number of hits (including the famous Zorba) and a great Greek dance teacher to get you up and dancing with the best of them.

This year we will also be showcasing a number of individuals who have entered our Talent Show as well as the local High School band from Cherrybrook Technology that will be playing at the main stage.

In addition to the copious amount of musical and dance acts, we also have a multitude of cultural displays and interactive stage shows for the kids about Greek myths and stories. Of course if this doesn’t suit, then let’s not forget the numerous children’s activities we have on offer. Including (but not limited to!) face painting; sand art; plaster painting; beaded butterfly store; showbags and of course the CARNIVAL rides!

It’s also a well known fact that Greeks love to eat, and most importantly, they love their food! Well this year we have outdone themselves with over 8 stalls set up all serving a range of dishes and desserts to tantalise any taste bud! The food will be available, reasonably priced, for families to both eat there as well as take away. So bring a blanket and have a picnic on the grass with us!

Entry is free and all are welcome, so why not try your hand at some Tavli, join in on the Greek dancing, enjoy some loukoumades or why not even have a turn on the carnival rides?

Come join us for the day and reveal your inner Greek.

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Greek Australian spy story may soon be available in Greece.

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:47:37 +0000

Name: Phil Kafcaloudes
Item price: News
Location: Melbourne

Description:
Negotiations are underway with a Greek publisher for the Greek translation of Australian radio and TV host and writer Phil Kafcaloudes’ gripping novel, Someone Else’s War.

The book was officially launched in August by the former NSW Premier Bob Carr. On this 70th anniversary of the Greek invasion by the Nazis, Mr Carr told the group at Dymocks bookstore in Sydney that the war led to a huge influx of Greek migrants, and that Australia was a greater country because of their presence in the community.

Someone Else’s War tells the story of the author’s courageous maternal grandmother, Olga Stambolis, a reluctant spy and British agent in World War Two.

In 1936 Olga Stambolis was a Sydney mother and wife. She disappears in mysterious circumstances, turning up in Athens. There her skills as an actress and multi-linguist attract the British foreign office, who train her to be part of the resistance against the Nazi invasion of Greece.

Stambolis finds herself sabotaging, spying and rescuing Australian and New Zealand airmen. Meanwhile in Australia, her family, who now believe her dead, are facing their own wartime challenges. They are caught in Darwin as Japan prepares to bomb the town. Through the entwined stories of mother and daughters, readers are taken into the true events of two countries and two sets of lives from 1916 to 1943.

Phil Kafcaloudes says he is thrilled that the book may soon be available in Greece in the Greek language: “This is a story that will have great potency for Greek people. They worked with my grandmother, and together they risked their lives against the Nazis. It is now many years on, but it can never be too late to tell a story of Greek heroism against such a powerful foe.”

The book is now available in bookstores around Australia, and online as an ebook.

For more information: www.someoneelseswar.info

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AGWS 40 year Gala Event – at Leondra by The Yarra

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:10:52 +0000

Name: Australian Greek Welfare Society
Item price: Community Event
Location: Melbourne

Description:

The Australian Greek Welfare Society will be holding 40th Year Anniversary Gala event on Friday,30th September 2011, at Leonda by the Yarra, one of Melbourne’s premier event venues.

AGWS was established in 1972 and has provided settlement and specialist services to thousands of Greek speaking people across a wide spectrum of services in Melbourne and Victoria. We are a vibrant and strong community services agency that employs over 150 people working in areas such as children’s and family services, community education and advocacy, in aged care and disabilities. We take a keen interest in developing community capacity and connection and therefore have the support of up to 200 actively engaged volunteers.

The Gala marks the beginning of our 40 Year Anniversary celebrations and is our major fundraising event.
We would like to invite you to be a part of this historic milestone.

When: Friday 30th September 2011
Where: Leonda By The Yarra, Hawthorn Victoria
Time: 7pm
Cost: $180 per person

For bookings please contact events@agws.com.au or phone Olga 0438 555 098/John (03) 8359 9902 for more information
www.agws.com.au

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A Greek spy story being released in August

Mon, 09 May 2011 16:05:06 +0000

Name: Phil Kafcaloudes
Item price: Announcement
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Description:
In August 2011, Australian journalist and author Phil Kafcaloudes will release his novel based on the life of his grandmother, who was a spy in Greece in World War 2.

Olga Stambolis arrives in Athens in 1936 as an out-of-work actress with no money, few friends and a shame that has followed her across the world. Her skills as a linguist and mimic lead her into the Greek resistance at the time the country is pulled into the war. Even as the Germans march into Athens, Olga continues to rescue British airmen and sabotage the enemy’s vital supply routes. Until the day she is caught.

Meanwhile in Australia, her children are facing their own personal and wartime challenges. One daughter, Nellie, is caught in Darwin as Japan prepares to bomb the town.

Through the entwined stories of mother and daughters, we are taken into the events of two countries and two sets of lives from 1916 to 1943.

BOOK RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 2011

For further information/interviews, contact Jackie Rees on jackafca@gmail.com

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A story of Love, Music, Defiance

A. Papapostolou — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:04:30 +0000

Name: Caroline Stacey
Item price: announcement
Location: Canberra

Description:
Catch: Cafe Rebetika an epic story of the heart; a passionate and uplifting theatre production set in the slums of 1930s urban Greece during the rise of rebetika, the ‘Greek blues’ bringing together Cabaret, music, theatre and dance in this new production set in the exotic and gutsy rebetika sub-culture.

Directed by Stephen Lloyd Helper, written by Stephen Lloyd Helper and Thomas Papathanassiou and developed with Rebetiki. Tony Award winning lighting designer, Nigel Levings, leads the design team.

Where: The street Theatre- Canberra
When: April 7-16 2011
Bookings: (02) 62471223

http://www.thestreet.org.au/

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