Greek Love: Written in the Stars
The much loved, one-night-only event returns for its celestial fifth anniversary.
Time & Location
16 Oct 2026, 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Event Details
The Hellenic Museum's beloved, one-night-only event returns for its fifth anniversary – and this time, we’re shooting for the stars.
For millennia, ancient Mediterranean myths and histories have been a popular medium through which human diversity is explored. Today, LGBTIQA+ communities are breathing new life into these narratives, uncovering the threads of sexuality, gender, and other modes of queerness within them.
Join us for a fun, light-hearted evening of history talks, creativity and connection, celebrating contemporary understandings of queerness through the lens of antiquity. Experience galleries by night, enjoy a drink and listen to inspiring talks from respected queer historians, set among the treasures of the Hellenic Museum.
An astronomical evening: what to expect 🌟
After glowing feedback on last year's format, this year's Greek Love will once again take over the museum’s galleries. Choose a token at the door, join your group, and be guided on a journey through the museum at night. As groups rotate through the galleries, you’ll meet our four passionate queer historians and enjoy a series of intimate talks, all while immersed in the museum’s inspiring collections. The night will end by coming together to enjoy some collective stargazing (and creativity), as well as some time to enjoy a drink or continue exploring the museum at your leisure.
A star-struck odyssey: the speaker lineup 🪐
Inspired by humanity's collective fascination with space – whether it's inquiring about someone’s zodiac sign, or the recent expedition of NASA’s Artemis II – this year’s event navigates the queerness of the celestial, the astrological, and the galactic histories of the ancient Mediterranean world. From mapping queer constellations to meeting ancient space oddities, Greek Love: Written in the Stars spotlights just how queer the cosmos was for the ancients, and just how queer it still is for us today.
Star-Ga(y)zers: Queer Love, Grief, and Apotheosis in the Ancient World with Tobias Fulton
To Be Made of Stardust: Queer Bodies in Constellation Myths with Dr Tanika Koosmen
The First Star War: How a Roman Satirist Queered Epic Poetry with Dr Jessica McKenzie
The Moon and a Lesbian: Celestial Connections in Sappho with Dr Becky Clifton
Stellar nomenclature: your chance to participate 💫
As always, this year’s event will finish with a participatory group activity, to be explained in full on the night. As part of this activity we encourage you to nominate a name (or names) that, if given the chance, you would assign to a real-life star. You can be as imaginative and original as you like, but we ask that you please avoid explicit or offensive words.
Fine print: let's avoid those black holes 🌌
Times: Doors will open from 7PM for drinks and gallery access. Roaming talks start at 7.30PM sharp.
Drinks: Available for purchase at a cash bar inside the museum.
Please note: to keep ticket prices accessible for the community, catering is not included in this year's event. Guests are encouraged to eat before arriving.
Accessibility: This event involves moving between spaces and standing. The Hellenic Museum has wheelchair-accessible galleries, an elevator between floors, one wheelchair, and ample folding chairs available upon request. Please contact our friendly team if you have questions regarding access.
18+ Event: As this is a licensed event, all guests must be over 18 years of age.
Tickets
Event Admission
From $55.00 to $60.00
$60.00
+$1.50 ticket service fee
$55.00
+$1.38 ticket service fee
Total
$0.00