A program of lectures, discussions, interactive seminars and films in October and November in Brisbane, Australia, the purpose of which is to inform all Australians about the roots of fascism and to honour Greek fighters who fought for much more than the interests of British, American or Russian imperialism during WW2.
6th October, Friday 7:30pm at the Greek Club.
Welcome, introductory talk, and showing of the BBC documentary on Brigadier Myers, the Strategic Operations Executive, and the Greek Resistance. This film is about the liaison goup's role in the Greek guerilla struggle against the German and Italian fascists and Greek collaborators. It will be followed by a critical analysis of the role of British and Russian imperialism in Greek politics.
7th October, Saturday at Ahimsa House.
2pm. Slide show and discussion on prominent resistance fighters and their fascist opponents, based on lectures given by Brian Laver at Griffith University on Fascism and the European Resistance.
4pm. A film on the Greek Resistance with dinner and discussion to follow.
7:30pm. Lecture by Martyn Brown followed by discussion. The lecture will be entitled: The Politics of Liberation - the Greek Mutiny of 1944 and its Aftermath
'In April 1944 thousands of Greek soldiers and sailors mutinied whilst serving in the British armed forces. Their protest was against the refusal of the British-backed Greek government to include representatives of the Greek Resistance in their administration. The mutiny was suppressed by the British. Trials and political reeducation followed. The mutiny also started a chain of events that led to the involvement of New Zealand military and Labour government in the quagmire of Greek politics. The New Zealanders accepted command of the purged Greeks to 'spread casualties'. But the British had other plans for the New Zealanders. While New Zealand Prime Minister Peter Fraser and his government weathered a storm of political protest at home against British policy towards Greece, their senior military commander was taking questionable actions in Europe over the liberation of the country. Who was running Greek and New Zealand policy - their governments or the British? Martyn Brown has spent the last 3 years researching the mutiny using archives in the UK, New Zealand and the USA as well as discussing the incident and the wider political background with some of the surviving British participants. He will be returning to the UK again next year to continue his work. This presentation will include sound clips of radio broadcasts and interviews of participants as well as photos and film. The experience of New Zealand will be used as a lens on the wider context of Allied wartime political aims and Greece.'
10pm. Drinks and discussion, celebrating and honoring the Greek men and women who fought and died in the war against fascism in Greece. A Greek DJ will present background music, Resistance songs, Rembetika, the music of Theodorakis. Songs to dance to and celebrate the victory.
28th October, Saturday- times and venue TBA.
The celebration of OXI Day against fascism in Greece. Talks on traditional resistance to ancient imperial oppression, the Greek resistance to fascism in WW2, the Metaxas period, German and Italian fascism, and Greece today.
17th November, Friday - times and venue TBA.
Polytechnic Day: the modern Greek resistance to the Junta - a military dictatorship sponsored by US imperialism.
25th November, Saturday - times and venue TBA.National Resistance Day: initiated by Melina Mercouri and Greek political groups who wished to celebrate the courage of their citizens against fascist occupation.
This programme of activities is being brought to you by the Institute for Social Ecology at Ahimsa House, the Kurilpa Community Research " Education Institute, and the sub-committee of the Greek Orthodox Communion of St George.
Programme Contact Person
Brian Laver
[mailto]admin@ahimsahouse.com.au[/mailto]
Tel: +61-7-3846 5077
Leonadis Naoumis
[mailto]leondrafting@optusnet.com.au[/mailto]
+61-7-417 983 402
Venues:
Ahimsa House, Brisbane, [url]http://www.ahimsahouse.com.au[/url]
The Greek Club, Brisbane, [url]http://www.thegreekclub.com.au[/url]