The Melbourne launch of Eleni Elefterias’ thought-provoking book Whose is this Song? Balkan Nationalism, Greece and Shared Culture was held last weekend at the Greek Centre, drawing an enthusiastic audience for an evening that combined literature, music, and cultural exploration.
The book investigates how a single folk melody, recognised across various Balkan nations, has become a symbolic battleground for questions of cultural ownership and national identity. With contributions from a range of Australian-Greek writers, it reflects a deep engagement with the complexities of regional history, heritage, and shared tradition.
The event featured compelling speeches and live performances that echoed the themes explored in the book. Among the speakers was Con Pakavakis, who offered thoughtful reflections on nationalism and culture in Southeast Europe.
Anthea Jewels Sidiropoulos, serving as MC, also gave a moving performance of the English-language version of the featured folk song, further reinforcing the cross-cultural dialogue central to the book. Dean Kalymniou contributed with a powerful violin performance that added emotional depth to the evening.
The launch was jointly organised by key figures in Melbourne’s Greek cultural scene and demonstrated strong community support for initiatives that preserve and interrogate cultural memory.
As part of the event, attendees also viewed preview clips from a powerful documentary that inspired the book. The film follows the same folk tune across national borders, showing how it is claimed by different cultures and transformed into a symbol of identity, sometimes even conflict. These visual moments added a dynamic, investigative element to the evening.
The gathering created a space not just for celebration, but for genuine engagement with the questions raised in Elefterias’ work—questions about who owns culture, how identities are formed, and what we share across boundaries. The result was a rich, resonant event that underscored the power of music and storytelling to connect communities and spark meaningful conversation.
