Antonios Baxevanidis | The Greek Migrant Who Photographed Nelson Mandela

Antonios Baxevanidis was born in 1944 in Lykostomo, Aridaia, and raised in Thessaloniki. After two attempts to emigrate, he eventually made Australia his second home. Through determination and hard work, he built a new life, first as an actor and later as an independent photojournalist. Among the hundreds of powerful images he captured throughout his career, one would become particularly significant: his iconic portrait of Nelson Mandela, the global symbol of the struggle against apartheid. This is the story of a Greek migrant who built his life and career far from his homeland — and captured an unforgettable moment in history. This story is part of Our People, Their Stories, a project of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, produced and directed by Markellos Petropoulos. Producer/Director : Mark Petropoulos Script : John Pilalidis - Nikitas Diamantopoulos Camera : Alexis M. Petropoulos Editing : Marinella Thomo - Giorgos Kalogiros