A Greek pocket could not be missing from the Yarraville Festival, an annual community celebration that has been bringing together people of the Inner West for the past 28 years.
The goal is to foster pride and inclusiveness for all groups, and these are values that Saint Nicholas Greek School also embraces and showcases through its own participation in the event that draws hordes of people from all over Melbourne.
This year alone, there were 15,000 to 20,000 people, according to Carla Smith, President of the Yarraville Festival.
Father Alexandros of St Nicholas Greek School, said that this year’s participation with the Zorbathon and grape squashing was one of the most successful in terms of attendees. “We sold in excess of 130 kilos of loukoumades which has surpassed records in previous years,” he said.
“This is the first year St Nicholas Greek school hosted the grape squashing competition and the second time we have held the ‘Zorbathon’ dance competition. These events are great ways for the school and church to engage with fellow Greek-Australians, both young and old,” Father Alexandros said.
Thanks to the drive and liveliness of the volunteers, visitors to the Greek quarter of the festival felt the spirit and hospitality of Greece all condensed into a church courtyard.
Kids of Saint Nicholas
Zoyee Kartalis (MC) and Fannoula Santourzoglou prepare the grapes for squashing.
Woman prepares the dough for the loukoumades. Photo: Kosta Loe from Keep Left Cinema
English Editor Mary Sinanidis got some help from Father Alexandros in judging the winners of the grape squashing.
Zoyee Kartalis with daughter Aliki,, 6. Photos: George Papadopoulos
Grape squashing proved to be a hit with the kids.
Greek-Irish Sophia Marsden-Smith whose yiayia was from Alexandria was rewarded for holding on to Greek traditions by winning the Zorbathon.
A little corner of Greece at the courtyard of St Nicholas as part of the Yarraville Festival. Grape squashing proved to be a huge success.