Lansdowne Street in East Melbourne was almost transformed into a movie set this Sunday for the purposes of a double re-enactment commemorating the 200th Greek Independence anniversary.
The day started with a church service at the adjacent ‘Annunciation of our Lady’ (Evangelismos), followed by a line-up of events, organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne, featuring music, dancing and dramatic re-telling.
The Alphington Grammar choir students were a delight to hear while singing the National Anthems and the Greek Community dance group also won the hearts of the crowd.
But the highlight of the day was no other than the re-enactments of two 1821 landmarks: the oath-taking of fighters at Agia Lavra that according to folk tradition marked the start of the revolution, and the siege of Tripolitsa, one of the early victories of Greek insurgents against the Ottomans spearheaded by Theodoros Kolokotronis.
Hundreds watched the re-enactments as they unfolded, with some reports claiming that up to 1,500 people were in attendance.
Among the dignitaries present were the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanouil Kakavelakis, Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien and Labour MP Steve Dimopoulos.
In a brief statement to Neos Kosmos, following the conclusion of the event, GOCMV President Bill Papastergiadis expressed gratitude for all the volunteers, artists and community groups that contributed in making the day a success.
