The Australian branch of The Hellenic Initiative (THI) will be hosting a series of One Greece 2017 events in October to raise awareness of the work being done in the current political climate of Greece and how Greeks in the diaspora and philhellenes can make a difference.
“This is the first time a series of national events has been held in Australia in support of Greece,” says THI Australia President Nicholas G Pappas AM. "“We branded it One Greece as a call for everyone who feels passionately about the cause to come and support us.”
More than 1500 business and community leaders are expected to attend the events nationwide. Speakers will include noted humanitarian, philanthropist and THI International Ambassador Princess Tatiana and inspirational co-founder of innovative food saving charity Boroume, Alexander Theodoridis, who will share their insights into the selfless work being done on the ground in Greece and what we can do to contribute.
Guests at the events will be able to learn more about current THI Australia projects, as well as how their contribution on the night will have a direct impact in the lives of people struggling in Greece.
The Sydney Gala Dinner on October 6 at the Sydney Town Hall will be the premiere event, and will feature an exclusive live performance by award winning singer Alkistis Protopsaltis. This will be followed by events in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin.
GCT had the pleasure of catching up with music legend Alkistis Protopsaltis ahead of her exclusive performance for One Greece 2017.
When did your passion for music begin?
From a young age I understood that I had a strong voice. I was also a young athlete at 100 meters and 4x100. Around 17 years of age I had to decide which road I would follow. With a very small difference the music came first in my choice
After 40 amazing years of performing, what has been your career highlight so far?
Oh, there are so many things to remember! The concert for the 35 years of Greek-Chinese friendship at the theater of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The amazing concert at the Opera of Havana with the 12 encores! The concert at the theater in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. The closing ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Special Olympic Games where I sang the Special Olympics Anthem with the famous Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo. My cooperation with the Symphonic Orchestra of Prague and with the Presidential Orchestra of Moscow , and the latest- a concert in Kenya for the Sophia Foundation for children!!
You have taken the stage at some of the world’s most famous theaters and with some of the greatest Greek and foreign composers. Where and who would you love to perform with next?
I think that one of my dreams is to sing at the Sydney Opera House with a Symphonic Orchestra, and as we must always have dreams I would love to sing by the side of Andrea Bocelli.
Tell us about your upcoming performance in Sydney, at the One Greece gala dinner. What can guests expect?
I am very happy with this concert at the Sydney Town Hall for The Hellenic Initiative of Australia. The concert is full of Greece, a concert with power, passion and sensitivity. The audience will listen to songs from my repertoire and also beloved songs of our very important composers like Hadjidakis, Theodorakis and Xarhakos. This concert is full of “Colours of Greece.”
Why do you think this event is important for the people of Greece and the Greek diaspora?
Because I believe that The Hellenic Initiative is doing very important national philanthropic endeavours for the Greeks everywhere, so we have to spread this effort as far as we can.
What is your hope for Greece in the near future?
I am a positive thinker, so I hope that we will find our way to get out of this tunnel, and I hope that all this huge problems will lead us to a better beginning.
*You can purchase tickets to the event here
