Melburnians remember the Battle of Crete (photos)

81st anniversary events continue next week with a discussion forum and a lecture

Photo: Kostas Deves

22 May 2022 3:46pm

Commemorative events for the Battle of Crete have culminated this weekend, with a wreath-laying ceremony and a students’ parade taking place on Sunday morning.

The events were hosted by the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council at the eternal Flame of the forecourt at the Shrine of Remembrance.

The official parade and wreath laying ceremony organised by the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council was held on Sunday at the Shrine of Remembrance. Pictured here is Androniki Chairekaki. All photos: Kostas Deves

Attendees at the Shrine of Remembrance commemoration events for the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

GCM’s treasurer Dr Marinis Pirpiris (R) participating at the wreath-laying ceremony.

Greek Community of Melbourne President, Bill Papastergiadis (R) was present at the wreath laying ceremony at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.

Alphington Grammar students were among those who joined in the official Battle of Crete parade.

Earlier in the morning, Bishop of Sozopoleos Kyriakos presided over a church service and doxology at St Efstathios Cathedral in South Melbourne.

Greece’s Consul General (seen first from left) attended the doxology commemorating the 81st Battle of Crete Anniversary at St Efstathios on Sunday.

Events continued during the day for the 81st anniversary, with a ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation in the Domain Gardens, followed by an official luncheon hosted by the Pancretan Association of Melbourne and the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne under the auspices of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand and the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council.

Held at the Cretan village, the ANZAC Commemorative Luncheon was organised in honour of the last surviving ANZAC Crete Veterans and their families.

Young Cretans also rejoiced in the celebrations with fellow dancers and musicians during the traditional glendi held on Saturday, with the support of the Region of Crete at the Cretan House in Brunswick East.

The traditional Cretan Glendi featured Giorgos Glykokokalos (Lyra &Vocals), Giorgos Krasanakis (Lute), Tony Iliou (Guitar) and the Victorian Dance Groups.

Saturday’s traditional glendi was organised by the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and the Pancretan Association of Melbourne under the auspices of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand with the support of the Region of Crete.

A major photo exhibition titled “Crete in 1821” kickstarted the series of events on Thursday 19 May. Battle of Crete commemorations will conclude next week with a lecture presented by Professor Peter Monteath at the Greek Community Centre, 168 Lonsdale Street, on Thursday 26 May.