‘The Evzones Collection’ raises over $25,000 for charities across Australia

Over four days, hundreds of people from across Adelaide attended ‘The Evzones Collection’ by Nick Bourdaniotis at the Holy Monastery of St Nectarios, Croydon Park.

The exhibition has been described as nothing short of mesmerising.

Through his lens, Mr Bourdaniotis has captured the feeling and passion we all have inside of us for our Greek heritage. That strong love and emotion we can’t describe in words.

Exhibition photographer and producer Mr Nick Bourdaniotis has also used the exhibition as a platform to give back to various community groups.

The Adelaide leg of the exhibition raised $5,000 for the Central Philoptochos of the Archdiocesan District of Adelaide.

The silent auction photo entitled “From Marbles to Mountain”, was jointly awarded to George Diakomichalis and Harry Foundas.

Exhibition Director George Karantonis and Exhibition curator Eirini Alligiannis were overwhelmed at the opportunity to exhibit this collection within the grounds of the Holy Monastery of St Nectarios.

The Adelaide launch of the exhibition took place on Friday, April 23.

In attendance was His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope, Archepiscopal Vicar for the Archdiocesan District of Adelaide; Mr George Psiachas, Consul General of Greece in Adelaide; Hon David Pisoni MP, Minister for Innovation and Skills, representing the Government; Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP, Member for West Torrens, representing the Leader of the Opposition; Hon John Dawkins MLC, President, Legislative Council of SA, and Mrs Sheila Dawkins; Hon Geoff Brock MP, Member for Frome; Ms Mary Couros, Acting Lord Mayor, representing The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Adelaide; Sandy Verschoor and the City of Adelaide; Mr Steve Georganas MP, Federal Member for Adelaide; Lieutenant Colonel Dave Edmonds, Commander 9^th Brigade, and Mrs Sophie Edmonds; Acting Assistant Commissioner Lynden Dunstan, representing the Police Commissioner Mr Grant Stevens and Mayor Angela Evans, City of Charles Sturt.

A highlight of the opening was the joint performance by the Pontian Brotherhood and Cretan Association of SA – a rare occurrence in Australia and the first time it had been done in Adelaide.

The traditional dances complemented the tradition embodied by the collection.

The event’s host, Fr Jeremy Krieg (CEO of the local sponsor the Greek Welfare Centre of SA – St Philothei), spoke about the significance of the Evzones and the Greek Revolutionary spirit from the perspective of an Orthodox person of non-Greek heritage, noting how they exemplify the mindset of “first for the [Orthodox] faith”.

On his part, Mr George Psiachas, the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, spoke about the task of a photographer being to “apothanateizi” (“immortalise”) a moment in time, and complimented Nick on his ability to do this.

In his speech, His Grace Bishop Silouan said: “This is a flagship event [of the Archdiocese’s 200-year celebrations of the Greek Revolution], and a cornerstone to all the events that have taken place and that will follow.”

For Mr Bourdaniotis, one of his most memorable moments in Adelaide occurred in 2019 when the Greek Presidential Guard (Evzones), for the first time in history, stood guard and marched with the Epitaphio at St. George Church on Good Friday.

So far, ‘The Evzones Collection’ has raised $25,350 for local schools and charitable causes.

The exhibition was wonderfully curated by Eirini Alligiannis, who worked in, around and with the Monastery to bring it altogether during one of its busiest weekends.

The exhibition is included in the calendar of the National Committee for the 200 years of Greek Independence 1821-2021, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.