This project was carried out between 1997 and 1999. The project manager was Gwenda Davey, the interviewer was Demetra Enzilis, and adviser to the project was Professor Stathis Gauntlett, Professor of Hellenic Studies at La Trobe University in Melbourne. The project was supported by the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University in Melbourne, as well as by the National Library. Interviews were conducted in both Greek and English, and with the exception of Gwenda Davey's interview with Demetra Enzilis, all recordings were made by Demetra Enzilis.
'Moon So Bright' is one of the best-known of all Greek nursery rhymes. It is often said to refer to the illegal Greek schools which were held at night during the Ottoman domination of Greece. Like English-language nursery rhymes such as 'Little Jack Horner' (sometimes said to refer to Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries), the 'political' origins of nursery rhymes are difficult to establish.
Moon so bright
Shine at night.
Light my way
To go to school
To work and play
And learn the rule
And all good things.
Anna Matthews recorded in Melbourne in 1998. Discussion includes nursery rhymes, stories and tales told to children, 'the evil eye'. Interview conducted in Greek.
Julie Caldis recorded in Melbourne in 1998. Discussion includes nursery rhymes, 'the evil eye'. Interview conducted in Greek.
Demetra Enzilis recorded in Melbourne in 1998. Discussion includes nursery rhymes, folklore for children. Interview conducted in English.
Kista Pappas recorded in Melbourne in 1998. Discussion includes nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in Greek.
Christina Gogorosis recorded in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes, stories told to children. Interview conducted in Greek.
Anna Georgousis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in Greek.
Anastasia Sotiriadou interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in Greek.
Frosso Kontis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in Greek.
Magda Pothitos interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in Greek.
Anna Gementzis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes, 'the evil eye'. Interview conducted in Greek.
Rita Packer interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Sophie Balafas interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes, lullabies, 'the evil eye'. Interview conducted in English.
Christina Bakapanos interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Kathy Hatzipashalis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Stella Mastrakoulis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Eve Vafiadis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Maria Mastrakoulis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Joanna Kostakidis interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Maria Didomenicantonio interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Effie Papadopoulos interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Athanasia Longas interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Marie Sfetsos interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
Dimi Ioannou interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses nursery rhymes. Interview conducted in English.
John Pandazopoulos interviewed in Melbourne in 1998. Discusses lullabies and the 'Evil Eye'. Interview conducted in English.