There are few in Australia who when uttering the words “Greek dance” would not mention the name Paroula Thurban in the same sentence.
Eloquent, witty and loved by thousands, she is as ageless and timeless as the art itself.
"When you touch the hand of another person, it's something beautiful, wonderful. You get energy, you get love. The young people dance with the older people. They get the experience for the older people, and the older people get the energy from the younger people. This is what I get. I get this energy, and I love it," she said.
Paroula arrived in Australia in 1964 with both of her brothers who incredibly, were the first people to perform the Zorba dance on Australian television.
As with thousands of others who arrived in Australia with a suitcase full of dreams, success in her new country didn’t come easily to Paroula.
As a child she would observe her parents perform at the family tavern on the island of Limnos, before dancing her way through high school.
"I was always watching, watching how they used to dance. I wanted to grow up and marry a man who could dance. Unfortunately my husband couldn't dance because he was German, but he was a wonderful man," she said.
A young Paroula Thurban in traditional Greek dance costume.
Paroula's daughter Nicole Englezos, now a mother of two, is the heir to the throne.
Through originality and talent, Paroula walked a path for Nicole to tread.
"I think a lot of the kids in Greece had forgotten about Greek dancing and the culture was starting to lose itself. We're really starting to see kids actually enjoying learning about their culture and seeing the friendships that have formed with dancing."
A strong advocate for the conservation of the Greek heritage in a changing world, Paroula educates and engages the community by telling stories in ways that awaken a sense of place and belonging.
Clockwise from top left, the boys in action performing a Cretan dance, Paroula's traditional male dancers form a human pyramid as part of an ancient war dance, Paroula's daughter Nicole (with red hair) and the group on their tour of Greece. (Supplied)
Students under the instruction of Paroula Thurban understand and respect her accomplishments, and share an enduring passion.
Main performer Christian Katsikaros said “she's become the mother figure, she cares a lot about us, not only just to teach us Greek dancing but to nurture us.”
Teacher and assistant Yanni Georgas said "she can go til 100, she's jumping like most of our young boys, Paroula keeps right up there with them.”
Paroula believes she can continue teaching for up to another 20 years.
"As long as my legs and feet move I want to dance, I want to continue. Even if I have to sit down in a chair and give instructions, maybe I can do it this way too," she said.
Her greatest legacy is the rare gift of feeling the pulse of the beat and keeping it – not as a relic, but as a testimonial to an ancient link, a living heritage.
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