A month long celebration will take place for the 99th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Ioannina on 21 February 1913. The Epirus Festivities 2012 Program is being held under the auspices of His Excellency Mr Alexios Christopoulos, The Ambassador of Greece.
The festivities kicked off Friday night, 17 February, with a presentation by his Excellency Mr Alexios Christopoulos, The Ambassador of Greece, at the Reception Hall of the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of “St Nectarios”, in New South Wales. The topic for the night was “Epirotans, a basic parameter of Hellenism from its beginnings till today”.
This will be followed by presentation of inaugural awards to NSW ‘Epirotopoula’ who completed either HSC or University Degree in 2011. Events in New South Wales will also include a Holy Liturgy on Sunday at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Cathedral “The Annunciation of our Virgin Mary” 242 Cleveland Street, Redfern. On Tuesday night there will be a cocktail party at the Greek Orthodox Community Club, 206-210 Lakemba Street Lakemba. Greek consular, religious authorities, government and community officials will also be present.
On Thursday 23 February, there will be a presentation made by Napoleon Tsanis at 11 Hassal St, Parramatta on the topic of “Ali Pasha, Greek benefactor or tyrant”. The annual ball will take place on Saturday 25 February at the Westside Lounge, 265 – 273 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville. Live entertainment with four piece band from Epirus, Greece. For entry and tickets, contact Con Tsiouris (02) 9745 4621 or 0412 314 108 or Peter Hatzis on (02) 9637 5389 or 0418 449 947. On Monday 27 February, you will have one last chance to see the Greek band play some traditional Greek folk music from Epirus, at the Greek Orthodox Community Club, 206-210 Lakemba Street Lakemba. A DVD presentation of Epirotan sites will take place on Sunday 4 March at the Pan Korinthian Association, Level 1, 11 Anglo Parade, Campsie. Entry is free.
In Victoria, celebrations kick off tonight with a dinner dance at Star International Reception at Preston. Live entertainment with four piece band from Epirus. Tomorrow there will be a Holy Liturgy at Axionisti Greek Orthodox Church at Northcote followed by a lunch at the Pan Epirotic Union of Melbourne & Victoria club room in Abbotsford. A cocktail event will be held on Wednesday 22 February at Moonee Valley Civic Centre in Moonee Ponds. Presentation by Dr. Panagiotis Diamantis on the topic of “Katerina Plessa Crummer, from Ottoman Ioannina to Colonial Sydney”, the first Greek migrant to Australia. The last descendant of Aikaterini Plessa, Ms Patricia Crummer will be present.
In South Australia, there will be a memorial service held tomorrow with an annual dance held on Saturday 3 March with live entertainment from a four piece band from Epirus.