Book launch: 1821 by Costa Vertzayias

The Hellenic Lyceum under the auspices of the Greek Festival of Sydney hosted the book launch of 1821- Paliyenesia-Re-birth of Hellas by Costa Vertzayias.

The event was held at the new Castellorizian Centre at Kingsford to a capacity crowd in the presence of Consul General Christos Karras, many representatives from the academic world, Church, media and other dignitaries.

The book was analytically reviewed and stylishly presented by Dr Efrosini Deligianni, Head of Greek Studies at UNSW.

The author, Greek Australian lawyer and historian Costa Vertzayias AM, emphasised the importance of the Greek War of Independence and that it had not received the recognition it deserves.

He told the audience that it was different from the French and American Revolutions and more significant in many ways as it struck at the foundations of the Holy Alliance and led to the establishment of nation states in Europe. It was stressed that the Greek War dominated the world press headlines for a decade and it involved many countries as well as countless philhellenes who are generally not well known.

He also highlighted the fact that Britain’s involvement was focused on containing Russian expansion and that this policy, continued by the USA to the present day, is a direct consequence of the Greek Revolution.  An interesting Q&A followed Costa’s talk.

Consul General Karras, Greek Orthodox Community President Harry Danalis and Lyceum President Liana Vertzayias also addressed the audience. The event was chaired by Theodora Zourkas.

You can purchase your copy of '1821' by Costa Vertzayias at the Bilingual Bookshop.

*Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright)

*More on GCT: ‘1821 Before and After’ exhibition at the Benaki Museum, Athens