Highly respected author and national broadcaster, Richard Fidler, is headlining the Cultural Program at this year’s Paniyiri Greek Festival in West End. Fidler’s long-running radio program and podcast Conversations is ABC Radio’s most popular podcast with millions of downloads each month. Fidler is also the author of two best-selling historical books in Saga Land and Ghost Empire.

Paniyiri Greek Festivals’ Cultural Program is a popular feature each year with attendees soaking up the fascinating historical displays, artwork, book readings and presentations. This year will be no exception with Fidler set to share the story of his highly acclaimed book Ghost Empire. The historical story is set in Constantinople, modern day Istanbul, and documents the conquest by the Ottoman Empire. This book comes as a result of Fidler’s travels through the area with his son. “The story of how Constantinople flourished into greatness and then expired in terrible violence is one of the strangest and most moving stories I know,” said Fidler. “I wanted my son to have that story too.”

Other highlights of this year’s Paniyiri Cultural Program include a fascinating insight into Byzantine Ikons from Greece to Australia by Dr Amelia Brown as well as talks from authors Dr Martyn Brown on his new book Politics of Forgetting: New Zealand, Greece and Britain at War and Frances Harding on her book The Accidental Australians: Harry and Jimmy Corones. Across the weekend there will also be displays of ecclesiastical artefacts and lectures celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Church of St George.

Beyond the cultural program, Paniyiri Greek Festival will bring all the colours, flavours, music, dance and faces of Greece to Brisbane for one huge weekend celebration.

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