When the Past Awakens

When the Past Awakens by Helena Kidd

I had the pleasure of learning about the complex history of Cyprus during my travels earlier this year. It is interesting to learn about migration stories, particularly those of people who migrate to Australia. There is a sizable Cypriot community in Australia, and not many in this community have shared their stories.

When the Past Awakens: A Mother’s Pain, written by Helena Kidd and her late mother Maria Avraam, is a story from the heart about a mother who endured both struggle and sacrifice. The book was written by Helena, based on the handwritten diary notes that Maria had kept in her personal drawer. These were stories that not many women would have the courage to share. Not only does she describe the loneliness she felt as a new migrant to Melbourne in the 1960s, but the story also entails her experience with an abusive partner. She endured both physical and mental abuse from an arranged marriage to a stranger. The book is also a story of survival, detailing how she overcame the challenges, leaving readers with hope and inspiration.

The book has been recognised by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria as a shortlisted title, receiving a Commendation in the Victorian Community History Awards 2020.

While Maria passed away in 2022, her story lives on through the close-knit family she raised and this book, which has led to the release of When the Past Is Left in 2024. In the lead-up to its official release this month, it is recommended to read When the Past Awakens first.

When the Past Awakens by Helena Kidd

Jason