The Piers festival is on again, celebrating all things multicultural over the long weekend.
The Greek community will be heavily represented at the festivities at Princess Pier in Port Melbourne.
On Sunday 27 January from 2pm till 9pm, the Pier will come to life with food and crafts from around the world, roving entertainers, storytelling and children’s activities.
Vasili, from Vasili’s Garden will be hosting the Songs and Stories Stage that will showcase a diverse repertoire of choirs and musical groups.
The five-piece Greek band, Meyhane will be performing on the main stage from 5:50pm, giving the crowd a bit of traditional Greek and Baltic music to get their toes tapping.
The Manasis Dance group will perform alongside Meyhane in full Greek costumes.
All those dancing in Deon Manasis’ group have a different Greek migrant story to tell. Manasis himself says both of his parents migrated to Australia by boat. His father was active in keeping Greeks on the boat entertained with his tsolia costumes and figoures. After arriving and settling in, Alkis Manasis made it his prerogative to teach the next generation the zorba.
The deep history of Princess Pier will be the backdrop to the Festival, which has been painstakingly restored to its former glory.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nick Kostsiras, says the history of the pier will forever be linked with Australia’s migration story.
“Princess Pier Festival is all about remembering our migration history while celebrating who we are as a nation – a nation of immigrants with a rich indigenous history,” he said.
“The Festival therefore brings our many cultures together showcasing our vibrant multicultural makeup. It highlights once again that we can have unity through diversity”.
The festival will conclude with a fantastic fireworks display at 9:20pm.
The festival is a free event. For more information go to www.multiculturalarts.com.au/