The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

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

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping