The Pan-Samian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria "Pythagoras" celebrated with brilliance and emotion the 201st anniversary of the salvation of Samos from the Ottoman genocidal threat (August 6, 1824), at the annual ball held on Saturday, August 9, at the Premier’s Room at Windy Hill.
This year's event was not just the established Brotherhood dance, but also a memorial ceremony, as well as a celebration that united the past with the present, proving that our roots continue to nourish the core of the Greek presence in Australia.
The evening began with the dynamic presence of the dance group of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, under the guidance of dance teacher and folklorist Nikos Papaefthymiou. With traditional Samian dances, which were overflowing with vitality and authenticity, the dancers transported the attendees to the alleys and squares of the island, where the sounds of the violin and the lute still accompany the cycles of everyday life.
Immediately afterwards, the band "Demotika" opened the musical program with Rigas's shocking "Thourio", reminding us that freedom and dignity are won through sacrifice.
Afterwards, he treated those present to a rich and curated repertoire of traditional songs from the Aegean and Asia Minor, creating bridges of memory between our places of origin and our new place of life.
In his speech, the president of the Pan-Sami Brotherhood, Mr. Iraklis Vagianos, emphasised the presence of many young people at the event, underlining that this is clear proof that the struggles of the Samian revolutionaries were not in vain.
"There is historical continuity," he noted, "since we perpetuate our Samian customs, two hundred years later, on the other side of the earth."
In an emotional voice, he reminded us that this anniversary is not only about historical memory, but calls us to resist all forms of violence and authoritarianism, as our ancestors did.
Mr. Vagianos also referred to the rich history of the Brotherhood, which is already in its 91st year of uninterrupted operation, constituting a pillar of cultural and social contribution to the Greek community.
Pride for Samos and its people echoed on the walls of the hall, and in the hearts of those present was the certainty that memory becomes power, and tradition a weapon of unity.
The dance evening concluded with dances and songs that lasted until late, leaving behind the feeling that, even though far from our homeland, we can resurrect its heroic moments and pass on to future generations the courage and dignity that characterised the Samians of 1824.
