It was an action-packed weekend for Greek Melburnians with four large parish events, as Sydneysiders gathered for what was promised to be ‘Australia’s biggest Greek BBQ’ at the Greek Summer Festival.
Whether you managed to squeeze one or more paniyiri in your weekend or could not make it to any, here is a recap of all major Greek festivities to keep you on top of the ‘what was on’ conversation.
The St Haralambos Paniyiri in Melbourne’s Templestowe became one of the highlights, thanks to a great turnout.
The ‘Greek buzz’ filled the air of the outdoor space of the Porter Street and Church Road intersection where the festival was held at, till late on Sunday.
The paniyiri schedule kicked off after the church service and included music, rides for kids and a cornucopia of Greek delicacies.
Greek Australian performers earned the titles of queens and kings of dancing for the day with many shots capturing their elaborate zeibekiko moves, while parish volunteers managed to plan and cater for hundreds of attendees ensuring a successful event.
According to the organisers over 7,000 loukoumathes, 1,000 souvlakia and 400 pites were sold.
At the other end of Melbourne’s outer suburbs, the Greek party kept on at Heatherton where the Moorabbin Greek Carnival was on.
The customary Apokries event featured a masquerade parade in the afternoon, but was full of music, dancing and entertainment options for young ones throughout the day, with activities including face painting, an animal farm and a jumping castle.
Meanwhile for Sydneysiders, Sunday was a perfect opportunity to celebrate Greek folk music tradition during the Greek Summer Festival, headlined by dimotiko singer from Greece, Gogo Tsampa.
The free entry all-day event also featured around 100 food stalls, donkey rides and even live cooking demonstrations by acclaimed chef David Tsirekas.
Among the local artists who enthused the crowd were 10-piece band Iho Nyx.
Back to Melbourne, the Greek Orthodox Brotherhood Agios Paisios held their customary Grape Festival, this year taking place at Our Lady of Castlemaine.
Father Lefteris held his first service in this church, followed by the blessing of the grapes practice and a paniyiri in the churchyard.
Last but not least, an all-day celebration dedicated to St Haralambos was also organised on Sunday by the Cultural Association of Agia Paraskevi Lesvos ” Taxiarchis”.
The so called ‘Festival of the Bull’ revived a popular tradition which began in the middle of the 18th century during the Turkish occupation.
It featured a parade of equestrians with their graceful horses, which, according to custom, are decorated with beads, handkerchiefs, and colourful rugs.
Live entertainment included performances by the Pegasos dance troupe and Greek folk singers Matthaios Giannoulis and Xenia Verra who are currently touring Australia.
