Canberra’s 2016 Greek Glendi drew in record crowds last weekend, and with more volunteers than ever the event demonstrated the dynamism and passion of ACT’s Greek community.
On Sunday the Glendi owned the main Harmony stage – the focus of the 2016 National Multicultural Festival, and while the Aegean Groove band blasted out a lively set to kick off proceedings, it was crowd favourites the multi-generational Canberra Hellenic Dancers who stole the show.
The array of traditional dances (performed by 200 performers) was as enticing as the food on offer in the nearby stalls, as thousands of festivalgoers basked in hot sunshine amid wafting smoke from charcoal ovens and sizzling souvlaki. Even the long queues failed to deter a Canberra audience hungry for Hellenic delights.
Over the course of the weekend an estimated 280,000 people descended on the city centre for the festival – 10,000 more than in 2015.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr opened the Glendi alongside the Territory’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Yvette Berry, Greece’s new Ambassador to Australia Ekaterini Xagorari, and High Commissioner for Cyprus Ioanna Malliotis.
In his speech, the chief minister paid tribute to the contribution of the Hellenic community to the ACT’s economic and cultural life over generations.
Reflecting on Sunday’s success, Glendi subcommittee vice-chair Georgia Alexandrou told Neos Kosmos that she was delighted the 2016 event had set a new benchmark for community involvement.
“We had a record number of volunteers, with 150 people helping to prepare food, set up, cook, serve, pack up and clean. What a great community effort it has been.”
Mrs Alexandrou said the biggest satisfaction for the organising committee was “to see the younger generation working next to their parents and grandparents – Yiayia and Pappou – learning, sharing experiences and laughing together.
“The contribution of our sponsors, with the Hellenic Club as our premium sponsor, and the hard work of all the volunteers contributed greatly to our goal; to raise money for work we’re planning to undertake at St Nicholas Church before its 50th birthday celebration next year. Once again we proved to all that working united, we can achieve more.”
Steve Kalenderidis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra, said he was heartened by the greater number of younger volunteers involved in this year’s event.
“I thought everything went really well. It’s important to bring people together and I feel my biggest challenge as the Community’s president is to get younger members of the community involved, not just the very young, but middle-aged members of the community.
“This is about continuing heritage. We had 200 young people take part in the dance events and for them it’s the highlight of the year.”
