The creators are proud to announce that the second book in the series Stories of Megisti Kastellorizo, Kleio and Despina© is now available. This story has been illustrated by Adelaide children’s book illustrator, Vanessa Gouveia©. Kleio and Despina© is now available for purchase online and will be available for sale at the Kastellorizian Council of Australia conference in Sydney, to be held on the 2019 Australia Day long weekend.

The story of Kleio and Despina© is dedicated to the memory of the Lady of Ro and to the multitude of Kastellorizian women who have shown fortitude in the face of adversity. The lessons of honour and integrity, forged close to home, were carried by mothers and grandmothers across the globe and taught with reverence through the generations.

Despina’s idyllic life on Megisti changes when soldiers come and tear down the Greek flag that is central to the island folk’s spirit. With great courage, and with the blessing of Kleio, the Muse of History, little Despina again and again rows to the island of Ro in the dead of night to raise the flag so that hope remains strong in the people of the island. But how long can this continue before someone is held to account? What can she raise, when the flag has been destroyed, to keep the faith of the people strong? How can a child make a difference and make her family and Kleio proud?

In this second book of the series Stories of Megisti Kastellorizo, read of the extraordinary courage of one little girl and of Kleio, who inspires her to perform heroic actions. Actions that become known throughout all of the Hellenic world and become enshrined in Greece’s and in particular Megisti’s history.

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For everyone living in Brisbane and going to this year’s Paniyiri Greek Festival at Musgrave Park, come and see us in the cultural centre and buy a copy of the children’s book Melpomene and Andonis for a special child in your life.

Melpomene will also visit the Children’s tent on both Saturday and Sunday to do a reading from this wonderful and inspiring children’s story.

See you there!

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Kleio and Despina is  the story of the fearless little girl Despina who with the inspiration of the divine Muse Kleio was able to bring hope back to the people of her island.

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Following the success of the Melbourne launch, a retinue of pilgrims will gather on the island of their heritage to celebrate the return of Melpomene and Andonis to their traditional home on Megisti Kastellorizo.  This will be the chance that guests will have to compare the illustrations to the original landmarks such as the 404 steps, or the Adgemis home.

On Monday 10th July well wishers from around the globe will gather when the book Melpomene and Andonis is launched by Prof Byron Kakulas from Perth.

Where: Platia Drasi Office
When: 7:30pm Monday 10 July 2017

Come share the folklore and meet Melpomene and Andonis with his pod of dolphin friends
Muses Cocktails and Meze
All Welcome

The book is an authentic souvenir that tourists can purchase to celebrate their visit to the home of Melpomene and Andonis, Megisti, Kastellorizo and 20% of proceeds from book sales will go towards supporting the work of Drasi.

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Over 200 people were crammed into the launch of the first book in the Muses series, Melpomene and Andonis at Kazzie House in South Melbourne.  The room was lit with the eerie lighting of the grotto and ancient lyre music could be heard in the atmospheric setting.

The beautiful Muse of Tragedy and Song, clad in an emerald gown and shod in leather buskins with wreath in hair and lyre in hand, welcomed guests into the grotto where they partook of such evocative refreshments at the Andonis Mocktail, Muses Spritely Nectar and the Melpomene Cocktail.

Hosted by the Vice President, Michael Zervos, the book was launched by eminent Greek figure George Papadopoulos.  Author Michele Kiosoglous spoke of her inspiration and her deep love and respect of the island of their heritage, Kastellorizo ancient name Megisti).  To her, these stories are a gift to the island and a tribute to the people who contributed to its history.

Co-author Phillippa Adgemis followed this with a reading from the book that included a haunting excerpt of the song written especially for the launch.

The beautiful images of illustrator James Blake lined the walls and came to life in the forms of Andonis (Ross) clutching his dolphin and Melpomene (Tina)  who mingled with guests offering photo opportunities and handmade biscuits in the shape of a boukla or a dolphin.

What a wonderful evening it was! Visit our gallery to see more images

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