Queensland’s largest and longest running Greek festival, Paniyiri, has has finally announced its return after a two-year Covid-induced break.
Australia’s oldest cultural festival garnering over 50,000 people each year will run across the weekend of 21 and 22 May, bringing the iconic Musgrave Park in South Brisbane back to life.
The organisers have lined-up a slew of activities for all ages and abilities available over the course of two days that include stomping grapes, smashing plates, dancing the zorba, and feasting on an incredible array of savoury and sweet Greek treats the likes of honey puffs, souvlaki, shiftalies, dolmades, calamari and haloumi.
With 20 stalls serving authentic foods from 11 different regions, festival guests will delight in discovering not only Greece’s incredible culinary history, but a lesson in Greek life where food is as important as family.
Loukoumades are also making a comeback. Photo: Supplied
Meze and retsina combo at Paniyiri Greek Festival. Photo: Supplied
Stalls will offering traditional Greek delicacies. Photo: Supplied
Local Greek Community members and Hellenic Associations aside, the South East Queensland happening is expected to give a major boost to the local economy including the hotels, the ubers, the suppliers, the surrounding businesses who all benefit from the thousands who attend.
According to the chairman of the Paniyiri Organising Committee, Mr Chris Kazonis, it’s not just the economic benefit to the wider community that has been missed, or the community groups and charities who rely on Paniyiri as their major fundraiser; but the connectivity and collective wellbeing that Paniyiri generates within the community.
The need for connection that the festival has catered to since its beginning as a simple Sunday picnic in the park back in 1976 has been proven every year for the past 40 years.
“The power of Paniyiri is that it brings people of all ages and abilities together to dance, dine, and have a good time, which not only celebrates our culture, but recognises our need for connection,” he said.
“Paniyiri highlights diversity, encourages curiosity, and through sharing our stories with each other, it connects and unites the community. Whether you come for the saganaki or the souvlaki, the dolmades or loukoumades, to debate tasting notes of Greek wines, or join in the zorba or the sousta, we know everyone leaves Paniyiri with their heart as full as their stomach.”
Katerina at the the Plateia, dressed in folk Greek attire. Photo: Supplied
Ilias Katsapouikidis & Co all dressed up. Photo: Supplied
Traditional Greek dancers in action. Photo: Supplied
From cultural experiences to interactive demonstrations, cooking lessons, competitions, wine tastings and more; this 2 day event will return with a jam packed schedule of things to see and do, with organisers even planning to build a pop up Greek Village where visitors can enjoy the sweet Greek life without needing their passport!
All funds raised will be distributed back to the community via the Greek Orthodox Community of St George, Brisbane’s oldest Greek community established in the 1920s.
When: Saturday 21 May from 12pm-10pm and Sunday 22 May from 10am-7pm
Where: Musgrave Park and The Greek Club, Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane
Tickets: Adults $12*, Pensioners $5*, Children (under 12) free, 2 day pass $20 plus booking fee
Info and bookings: www.paniyiri.com
