Sydney’s Macedonian community welcomed the official beginning of the Dimitria Festival 2022 on Sunday with celebrations organised by the Pan-Macedonian Association of New South Wales and a liturgy at Kogarah’s Greek Orthodox Church in southern Sydney.

The official opening was marked by a memorial service and Doxology at the church performed by parish priest, Father Athanasios Giatsios.

Father Athanasios welcomed everyone in attendance and gave a small speech about the importance of Macedonia in Greek history and how inextricably linked this Greek region is to Greece, Europe and the world.

After the service, the public was invited to the adjoining Hermes Lounge for a small presentation of the official programme for the Dimitria Festival.

In attendance were a number of prominent members of the Greek community including the newly-elected President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Anastasia Karakominakis; the Vice President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Peter Papoulidis; the Secretary of the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW and curator of the program, Costa Dantos; and the President of Pontoxeniteas NSW, Maria Anthony; among many others. Across the world the Dimitria Festival marks the celebration of the ancient and modern culture, the history and geographic richness of the Macedonian region.

Photo: Supplied

This will be the 39th year for the annual Dimitria Festival in New South Wales, hosted by the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW since 1983. The Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW is the peak organisation and body representing Greeks from the region of Macedonia and their society, history and culture.

It has strong ties to the population of the wider Greek and Philhellenic communities in Sydney, New South Wales and Australia and is a member of the World Pan-Macedonian Association and the Pan-Macedonian Federation of Australia.

The festival is celebrated by the Greek diaspora throughout the world, as well as in the heartland of Macedonia within her beautiful capital of Thessaloniki, Greece.

The origins of the Dimitria Festival can be traced back to the 12th century, during the times of the Byzantine Empire’s sovereignty over Thessaloniki where even at that time, it was regarded one of the most important cultural events. Dimitria Festival is also held in honour St Demetrios of Thessaloniki, the patron protector saint of the city and residents of Thessaloniki.

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Saint Demetrios was born and died in Thessaloniki and his name day is commemorated on 26 October every year, within the timeframes of the Dimitria Festivities.

“During this year’s series of events, we are given the opportunity to showcase the historical and cultural heritage of our Great Macedonia and the opportunity to bring all our Greek, Australian and other multicultural friends into contact with, and expand their knowledge on our Ancient Greek homeland,” said Anastasia Karakominakis, President of Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW.

“It is an opportunity for all Greeks and Macedonian Greeks in Australia, Greece and elsewhere in the diaspora to develop closer bonds and celebrate our rich and diverse Macedonian Greek culture. From this unity, we can succeed in all sectors and in all the activities that take place. I foresee a very successful 39th Dimitria Festival 2022 that exhibit all the aspirational qualities we strive for.

“I thank all those in my committee, our delegates, brotherhoods and cooperating organisations who have contributed to making our festival possible,” she added.

Entertainment plays a leading role in the Dimitria Festival, with the event featuring theatre, dance, art, music and literary activities throughout the month of October. It has also been recognised as a significant ‘art’ participator by the European Festivals Association since 1995.

Photo: Supplied

The Pan-Macedonia Association of NSW was established in the early 1980s as an umbrella organisation of most Greek Macedonian associations in New South Wales. Today, there are 11 member organisations collaboration to bring the festival to life:

– Chalkidiki – Brotherhood of Chalkidiki “Aristoteles” of NSW Incorporated – Χαλκιδική

– Edessa – Philanthropic Association of Pella “Edessa” – Έδεσσα

– Florina – Greek Macedonian Brotherhood of Florina “Amyntas III” Incorporated – Φλώρινα

– Kozani – Macedonian Association of Nomos Kozanis “Lassanis” Incorporated – Κοζάνη

– Newcastle – Macedonian Brotherhood of Newcastle and District “Pavlos Melas” Limited – Νεόκαστρο

– Panagia Soumela – Pontian Society of Sydney “Panagia Soumela” Limited – Παναγία Σουμελά

– Pontoxeniteas – United Pontian Benevolent Brotherhood “Pontoxeniteas” of NSW Limited – Ποντοξενιτέας

– Serres – Serres Society “Pan Serraikos” – Σέρρες

– Vermion – Imathias Association “Vermion” Incorporated – Βέρμιον

– Wollongong – Greek Macedonian Brotherhood of Wollongong “Captain Kottas” – Γούλονγκονγκ

Upcoming Dimitria Festival events:

Lecture 1: The Real Zorba the Greek by Vasilis Adrahtas (Lecture in English and Greek)

When: Friday, 14 October, 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Where: AHEPA Hall – 394 Princes Highway, Rockdale NSW

This is a free event. Complimentary nibbles, coffee and cake to be provided.

Contact: Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW in cooperation with the Friends of Kazantzakis, Costa –0451 416 191

Photo: Supplied

Edessa Association Lunch Dance

When: Sunday, 16 October, 1pm

Where: Pontian Society Hall – 606 New Canterbury Road, Hurlstone Park

Entry: Adult $45 (13+ years), Child $20 (2-12 years)

Contact: Philanthropic Association of Pella “Edessa” NSW, Louis –0411 679 161 and Nikos –0414 609 209

Pontoxeniteas “BBQ Lunch”

When: Sunday, 23 October, 12pm

Where: Pontian House, 15 Riverview Road, Earlwood NSW 2206

Entry: Adult/teen $30 (13+ years), Child $15 (5-12 years)

Contact: United Pontian Benevolent Brotherhood ‘Pontoxeniteas’ of NSW, Maria – 0411 318 851

Lecture 2: The Macedonian issue after the Prespes Agreement by Professor Vrasidas Karalis (Lecture in English and Greek)

When: Sunday, 23 October, 5pm

Where: AHEPA Hall –394 Princes Highway, Rockdale NSW 2216

Entry: FREE, Complimentary nibbles, coffee and cake to be provided.

Contact: Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW in cooperation with the Friends of Kazantzakis. Anastasia – 0400 112 020

Dinner & Harbour Cruise – 80s & Greek music

When: Saturday, 5 November (Saturday), 7pm

Where: Sydney Harbour

Entry: $100

Contact: United Pontian Benevolent Brotherhood ‘Pontoxeniteas’ of NSW, Maria – 0411 318 851

Brotherhood of Chalkidki “Aristotle” 60 Year Anniversary Dance

When: Saturday, 12 November (Saturday) 7pm

Where: Ashbury Pan-Arcadian Federation Club – 55 King Street, Canterbury NSW

Contact: Brotherhood of Chalkidiki ‘Aristotelis’ of NSW Costa – 0451 416 191

Lecture 3: 1992-2022 Thirty years since the Greek demonstrations in Australia for Macedonia! By Dimitrios Kametopoulos and Mr Kostas Vertzayias. A flashback and historical approach on 1992 with visual material about the unification of Hellenism in the Antipodes for this great national issue (Lecture in Greek).

When: Sunday, 13 November, 5pm

Where: Ashbury Pan-Arcadian Federation Club – 55 King Street, Canterbury NSW

Entry: FREE, Complimentary nibbles, coffee and cake to be provided.

Contact: Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Costa – 0451 416 191

Paint ‘n’ Sip

When: Sunday, 27 November 3pm, location to be announced

Contact: Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Nena – 0418 289 859

Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW Annual Dance – OFFICIAL CLOSING OF THE 2022 DIMITRIA FESTIVAL

When: Saturday, 3 December, 7pm

Where: Polish Club Bankstown – 11 East Terrace, Bankstown

Entry: Adult $60 (13+ years), Child $25 (5-12 years), Infants FREE (0-4 years)

Contact: Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, Anastasia – 0400 112 020

Brotherhood of Chalkidki “Aristotle”Annual Christmas BBQ Picnic

When: Sunday, 11 December at 12:30pm,

Where: Garrison Point Reserve, Georges Hall NSW, (off Henry Lawson Drive)

Contact: Brotherhood of Chalkidiki ‘Aristotelis’ of NSW, Costa – 0451 416 191