Opening Stories

Yiayia's Journey to Melbourne

Yiayia arrived in Australia by boat, leaving Cyprus behind to start a new life. It didn’t take long for her to feel at home, marrying Pappou in 1956 and moving into Bank Street, but it looked very different to how it does today. It was surrounded by vacant plots of land and shared with four other families, all squeezed under the one roof while they found their feet in a new country. Over the years, the house slowly became hers. The vacant blocks were replaced by homes, cafés and, more recently, high-rises, seeing the city gradually creep right up to her doorstep. Through it all, Yiayia's front garden has remained, with its stunning frontage and vibrant garden somehow blooming all year round. Every family member has their own story of living at Yiayia’s, whether for a few months or many years. It’s a rite of passage in our family to call it home. Three generations have passed through its front door, countless meals have come out of its kitchen, and somehow there's always enough food for one more person. Serves: The Demetriou + Kissonergis family Prep time: 9-week boat ride to Melbourne State Library Victoria, Committee for Urban Action (Melbourne, Vic.), 1970 Cook time: Forever Yiayia's House Tο σπίτι της Γιαγιά •

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