The first is children’s book, ‘My Grandma is a Musician’ (which includes a Q code inside so you can enjoy the song) followed by academic book, ‘Whose is this Song! Balkan Nationalism and Shared Culture’.
As well as being the Bilingual Bookshop owner, Eleni is a musician, author, university lecturer in community languages and a Modern Greek Beginners teacher.
“I have written about 15 books but these will be my first two published, with more children’s book titles to follow,” she said.
Originally operating the bookshop from a site in Dulwich Hill which included a cafe and performance space, Eleni moved to St Peters recently where she will set up a new performance space while keeping the Bilingual Bookshop online.
“We support all local authors, not just those of Greek extraction but anyone who has written about Greek topics and we import books as well,” she said.
“We are the exclusive stockists in Australia for many, including ‘Promised Brides’ about young Greek women coming here and marrying men they had never met.”
Eleni is also looking forward to setting up the new performance space but has been in no rush because of Covid.
“As before, I am keen to host a range of musicians and poets including Greek, Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, European and Australian but in the meantime, host a poet online every second Wednesday from 5pm, with the next on September 30,” she said.
“I want to thank all our customers for voting for us in the Business Awards and to the judge for choosing us as a finalist.
“You don’t do any of the work for the accolades, it’s all about creating the best community you can for your children and grand-children but it’s nice to get recognition.”
