The Pallaconian Brotherhood’s venue in Brunswick was full to the brim on Saturday, as people of all ages turned out to celebrate 43 years of Pontiaki Estia.
Of course no Pontian celebration is complete without plenty of music and dancing with the Pontiaki Estia dance groups taking to the floor, presenting 28 different dances from 11 areas of Pontos.
A host of musicians performed on the day, including Yiannis Pilalidis, Dimi Tsombanopoulos, Konstantine Kostidis, Alexandros Pilalidis, Stefan Levoyiannis and Despi Levoyiannis.
A sure highlight was the presence of musicians, brothers George and Kostas Zapounidis who made the trip Down Under from Greece to perform for the anniversary.
The musical legacy in their family stems back to their two grandfathers who both played the Pontic lyra, a tradition that was continued by their father and now the two brothers.
Following the event, organisers wrote a heartfelt message on Pontiaki Estia’s Facebook page, paying tribute to the generation before them.
“It is with sound guidance and support, resilience and dedication from our seniors and parents who paved a way for us, that we are able to express ourselves, to respect and love what we do. Their example has nourished us to work as one dynamic and committed unit irrespective of age or expertise. The results are evident and we thank them for what they have provided and instilled in and for us for the past 43 years.
Happy Birthday Estia!,” reads the post.
“As your name professes, your flame continues to burn within and around us. A home where ancestors and homelands are honoured and culture is living.
“Congratulations to all the dancers and instructors Penny Tsombanopoulos, Michael Vassiliou & Desi Levoyannis.”
The post also went on to acknowledge and thank Dean Kalimniou for his academic contribution throughout the years, and who after winning $2,000 on the Saturday night, donated all of his prize winnings to the George Devine Treloar memorial to be unveiled in Ballarat this September.
Congratulations to Pontiaki Estia for 43 years of hard work, ensuring the continuation of Pontian traditions in Australia; a journey that continues with a fresh vision and new horizons.