1952–1972 is considered as the twenty-year period of mass or chain migration, during which the greatest number of Greek immigrants arrived in Australia. Just under half of these immigrants were women, who arrived mainly as dependent... more
1952–1972 is considered as the twenty-year period of mass or chain migration, during
which the greatest number of Greek immigrants arrived in Australia. Just under half of
these immigrants were women, who arrived mainly as dependent siblings, daughters,
wives or brides of male immigrants. In addition, approximately 9,000 women migrated
independently as factory or domestic workers. Though Greek women immigrants are
an integral part of the overall Greek migration to Australia, their history still remains
marginal and has not been thoroughly investigated and reported on. Greek women
are regarded as the “invisible” immigrants, whose individual migration experience is
encompassed within the male-dominated migration discourse. In this article we examine
aspects of the migration of Greeks to Australia during the period of mass or chain
migration, with a special focus on the marginal representation of women immigrants
within the migration discourse.
Introduction
Although migration scholars have long acknowledged the need to move beyond opposing binaries (Cohen 1995: 5-6), these continue to dominate thinking about migration. Binary categories may have been useful analytical tools to heuristically... more
Although migration scholars have long acknowledged the need to move beyond opposing binaries (Cohen 1995: 5-6), these continue to dominate thinking about migration. Binary categories may have been useful analytical tools to heuristically map the field of migration studies, but they have limited explanatory value when it comes to assessing different forms of mobility, particularly in the complex new global map of migrations. Currently, new space-time flexibilisations and forces of globalisation are changing the modalities of and motivations for migration in ways that render those binaries obsolete. King (2002), reprising Cohen’s initial formulation, critically comments on binaries such as internal–international, voluntary–forced, temporary–permanent, and legal–illegal migration, proposing ways to transcend them. To these dualisms, we further add the distinction between origin and destination countries, which – despite holding some elements of truth – rests upon assumptions of a direct causal relationship between migration and development, treating developing countries as sources of emigration and developed ones as destinations for migrants. The reification of
Via ethnographic and oral history methods and transcultural memory work, this article presents the complex, ambiguous and at times contradictory relationship between a Greek family and an Aboriginal community, including the traditional... more
Via ethnographic and oral history methods and transcultural memory work, this article presents the complex, ambiguous and at times contradictory relationship between a Greek family and an Aboriginal community, including the traditional landowners, in Central Australia in the 1960s. Within a commonplace narrative of colonists and pastoralists buying, owning and selling First People's land, ownership by Greek migrants and the historical presence of Aboriginal people provides an entry point into a microhistory that illustrates and reveals under-acknowledged, fraught and fragmented facets of transcultural life in 1960s rural Australia, and the place of ethnic-settler-colonisers in Australia's history of settler-colonialism, dispossession, and pastoralism. Through this case study, we argue the importance of uncovering, recovering and reclaiming the history of Mediterranean migrants' transcultural relationships with First Nations people.
The theory of securitization, as developed by the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, constitutes the main analytical framework used by scholars to investigate non-traditional security issues. Inspired by the securitization theory,... more
The theory of securitization, as developed by the Copenhagen School of Security Studies, constitutes the main analytical framework used by scholars to investigate non-traditional security issues. Inspired by the securitization theory, scientists developed sub-theories such as the a-securitization, de-securitization and humanitarian securitization. In spite of the great analytical potential of all of these sub-theories, none of them may adequately explain the approach of SYRIZA's coalition government towards the European refugee crisis. This paper argues that after winning the 2015's elections, SYRIZA applied a novel mode of securitization: the securitization of the predecessor's securitizing measures. This paper identifies this form of securitization as meta-securitization. By applying a deductive method of reasoning, this paper explains why the sub-theories of securitization fail to explain SYRIZA's approach towards the European refugee crisis and describes how SYRIZA meta-securitized successfully the securitization measures implemented by the Nea Dimokratia-led government. 2
Originally published in Historia, issue 32, June 2020. Historia is the national newsletter of the Professional Historians Association: https://www.historians.org.au/historia-newsletter This short paper looks at a very brief history of... more
This master thesis examines the migration wave of Greeks into the Kingdom of Belgium between the years 1980 and 1995, after Greece’s integration into the European Economic Community in 1981. With the use of the push-and-pull theory as... more
This master thesis examines the migration wave of Greeks into the Kingdom of Belgium between the years 1980 and 1995, after Greece’s integration into the European Economic Community in 1981. With the use of the push-and-pull theory as framework, this thesis offers a qualitative analysis of the reasons why Greek individuals chose to emigrate to Belgium and not another country, as well as the results of this life changing decision over the course of their life. Moreover, the study discusses the differences with the Greek migration wave of miners that pre-existed in Belgium during 1955 and the 1970s, as well as the daily social contacts with the local population, other Greek individuals, and international expats. Using interviews, first- hand information was acquired from ten Greek expatriates who were part of this wave and agreed to participate in this study. The results of this research are gathered through the memories and experiences of the participating individuals and thus, it can showcase that education and working opportunities abroad, political, and social instability in their origin country, as well as curiosity and general wanderlust, are all factors that convinced quite a number of Greeks to migrate to Belgium for a better well-being and fulfilling life. Moreover, this study showcases general aspects of their daily lifestyle, customs, traditions and contacts with their foreign neighbors and diaspora communities as well as with Greece and the people left behind.
Against the backdrop of ongoing crisis-led migration from Southern to Northern Europe the present chapter explores the language ideologies, practices and management of migrant Greek families in Luxembourg by reporting on a comparative... more
Against the backdrop of ongoing crisis-led migration from Southern to Northern Europe the present chapter explores the language ideologies, practices and management of migrant Greek families in Luxembourg by reporting on a comparative case study between an ‘established’ Greek family and a ‘new’ crisis-led migrant family. While the two families differ in terms of migration trajectory and settlement patterns in Luxembourg, there is a convergence with regard to their language ideologies, which inform their family language policies. These are shaped primarily by parental aspirations and expectations for their children’s future and parents hold market-oriented, utilitarian attitudes to language learning. Big, hegemonic languages such as French, German and English seem to be at the forefront of family language planning while maintenance of Greek is not seen as a priority.
In traditional societies the dowry was seen as the principal material representation of a bride’s worth and of the patrimony of her family. Dowry and virtue were the most important ‘commodities’ sought by prospective grooms in the... more
In traditional societies the dowry was seen as the principal material representation of a bride’s worth and of the patrimony of her family. Dowry and virtue were the most important ‘commodities’ sought by prospective grooms in the selection of a bride. This paper aims to explore material culture that relates to the practice of the dowry and the glory box (trousseau; Ital: corredo; Greek: ttqolxlcx}) among Italian and Greek migrants who settled in South Australia in the post-Second World War period, representing the largest non-Anglo post-war migration cohort in South Australia. This study seeks to investigate the meaning and symbolic significance of the dowry and the glory box, as well as examining the cultural practices of each cohort in relation to dowries. The study considers cultural practices, and also aims to situate the discussion within the wider literature of post-Second World War Italian and Greek migration to Australia. It will provide a focus on women’s migration to Aust...
"Tracing political Shadow Puppet Theatre (Karaghiozis), performed in Cyprus and by Greek Immigrants" Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre (Karaghiozis) could be seen as widely Political Theatre, not only due to... more
"Tracing political Shadow Puppet Theatre (Karaghiozis), performed in Cyprus and by Greek Immigrants" Greek Shadow Puppet Theatre (Karaghiozis) could be seen as widely Political Theatre, not only due to its scenery (Karaghiozis’ wrecked house opposite Pasha ’s palace) but to its themes, as well. However, in this essay, we shall shortly present performances of Greek shadow puppet performers, who live abroad and focus on specific political facts. We shall introduce bibliographically unknown -in most cases- performances by Greek immigrants and Greeks of Cyprus, attempting to highlight their political beliefs, motives, means and impact.
