The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

The Australian story of Mikis Theodorakis' legendary song Zorba

  • Written by Andonis Piperoglou, Adjunct Research Fellow, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University

For those with only a cursory familiarity with Greece and Greek music, the name of Mikis Theodorakis, who died last week aged 96[1], may conjure flashbacks to the 1964 film Zorba the Greek[2] . That moment on a Cretan beach when Alexis (Anthony Quinn) teaches Basil (Alan Bates) how to dance the sirtaki, now universally known as the “Zorba dance”, is etched into our collective memory.

Born in 1925, Theodorakis began writing music when he was a child. During his lifetime, he was a political figure as much as a composer. Under the Greek junta[3] (1967-1974) the dictatorship banned his music. Theodorakis was jailed, tortured, put under house arrest and, from 1970 until 1974, lived in exile. His Journals of Resistance[4] (1973) was a statement of defiance to the military regime.

As a composer he fused poetry and popular musical idioms, achieving wide appeal at home and abroad. Reworking Greek folk rhythms, he incorporated past tradition with present inspiration and future hope. His Mauthausen Trilogy[5], a cycle of four arias composed in 1965, is credited as a standout composition on the Holocaust.

A man and a woman sit at a piano Theodorakis talks to Greek singer Maria Farandouri during a break at an Athens recording studio, 1974. AP Photo/Aristotle Saris, File

His composition of the Zorba is one of the most recognisable sounds of the 20th century. Its accompanying dance — with its slow, smooth actions that gradually transform into faster, more vivid movements in unison with the metallic sound of the bouzouki[6] — is both loved and despised.

Ready for Theodorakis An article about Theodorakis’ tour, as it appeared in the Tribune, 22 February 1972. Trove[7]

His 1972 Australian tour

In 1972, while still living in exile, Theodorakis toured Australia. The Tribune newspaper called it “one of the big events of the year[8]” which would be enjoyed by both “Greek migrants and other Australians[9]”.

Interviewed in Melbourne, also for the Tribune, one Greek migrant expressed her elation[10]: “Do you see what Theodorakis means to our country? […] The best poetry in the country was being sung in the streets to his music.”

Coinciding with an emergent Australian multicultural ethos, Theodorakis’ concerts also prompted a critique of the country’s desire to assimilate migrants.

As one reviewer wrote[11]:

If Greek culture is lost to us by assimilation […] rather than retained and developed by its integration into a multi-nation, multi-racial Australia, a crime will have been committed.

The Communist Party of Australia also praised his tour. In a statement, Greek members of the party said[12]:

Never before in the history of Greeks in Australia has there been such an immense and spontaneous popular excitation for the Greece of struggle, justice and beauty as has happened during the Theodorakis concerts.

Theodorakis clearly ignited impassioned sentiments.

A few years after his tour, the White Australia Policy[13] would be abolished, and multiculturalism would become official state doctrine, with Zorba becoming a mainstay at multicultural festivals.

Read more: Australian politics explainer: the White Australia policy[14]

An Australian multicultural dance

Promoting cultural retention, these performances have contributed to the formation of a Greek Australian identity[15].

Greek festivals bring Australians from differing regional backgrounds together, and the dance has contributed to how Greekness can be acquired and expressed. For third or fourth generation children of Greek background — who often lack Greek language skills — learning Zorba facilitates an awareness of distinctive ethnic roots.

Read more: ‘Where are you from?’ is a complicated question. This is how young Australians answer[16]

The performance isn’t limited to the Greek community. It has spread to be taught in school sports classes and performed at events like the Sydney Olympics[17] and at the NRL’s multicultural round[18].

In 2018, as part of the Melborune’s Lonsdale Street Greek Festival, attempts were made via a “Big Fat Greek Flashmob” to set a world record for the largest number of people dancing to the familiar tune. They were unable to beat the record of 5,614 people[19] in Volos, Greece, in 2012.

But perhaps the most famous rendition of the dance came from an unexpected source.

Remastering Zorba, Yolngu Style

In 2007 a group of young Yolngu dancers from Elcho Island made global headlines. The Chooky Dancers (later renamed Djuki Mala) became famous when Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy uploaded an inconspicuous video recording on YouTube[20].

The viewer awaits a traditional dance routine. Instead, the young men move in sync to a pop techno remix of Zorba, performing movements usually reserved for Greek weddings and christenings.

As a way of saying thank you to a Greek friend named Liliane[21], the dance strengthened the relationship between Yolngu people and the Northern Territory’s Greek community[22].

The video went viral. Djuki Mala performed their hit on Australia’s Got Talent[23] and toured Europe and the Middle East[24], including an invitation from Theodorakis’s family to dance in Athens.

The original video has now been viewed over three million times. It remains an uplifting cultural accomplishment: both poking fun at and remastering Zorba.

A way of sharing of Yonglu cultural expression, and a hallmark example of the way Greek Australian culture has become firmly part of the fabric of modern Australia.

Read more: What's so funny about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander humour?[25]

References

  1. ^ died last week aged 96 (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ Zorba the Greek (www.theguardian.com)
  3. ^ Greek junta (en.wikipedia.org)
  4. ^ Journals of Resistance (www.goodreads.com)
  5. ^ Mauthausen Trilogy (greekreporter.com)
  6. ^ bouzouki (www.britannica.com)
  7. ^ Trove (trove.nla.gov.au)
  8. ^ one of the big events of the year (trove.nla.gov.au)
  9. ^ Greek migrants and other Australians (trove.nla.gov.au)
  10. ^ expressed her elation (trove.nla.gov.au)
  11. ^ one reviewer wrote (trove.nla.gov.au)
  12. ^ said (trove.nla.gov.au)
  13. ^ White Australia Policy (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ Australian politics explainer: the White Australia policy (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ formation of a Greek Australian identity (www.dancearchive.gr)
  16. ^ ‘Where are you from?’ is a complicated question. This is how young Australians answer (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ the Sydney Olympics (www.riverstonehistoricalsociety.org.au)
  18. ^ NRL’s multicultural round (neoskosmos.com)
  19. ^ record of 5,614 people (www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
  20. ^ inconspicuous video recording on YouTube (www.youtube.com)
  21. ^ a Greek friend named Liliane (westerlymag.com.au)
  22. ^ Northern Territory’s Greek community (www.tandfonline.com)
  23. ^ Australia’s Got Talent (www.youtube.com)
  24. ^ toured Europe and the Middle East (artbacknt.com.au)
  25. ^ What's so funny about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander humour? (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/politics-flashmobs-yolngu-dancers-the-australian-story-of-mikis-theodorakis-legendary-song-zorba-167282

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...