The Greek Festival of Sydney was a rousing success as it settled once again in Darling Harbour and, after a tumultuous past few years, its future looks better than ever as the NSW government commits to doubling the event’s funding.
The stalls, dancing and music all made a glorious return in the Greek Festival’s first launch at Darling Harbour since 2020 on Sunday February 19, though the best news arrived in the form of the NSW government’s decision to dedicate $200,000 annually for the next four years, up from the previous $100, 000 per year deal.
The official program started with a most appreciated smoking ceremony initiated by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mr Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOC), praised the efforts of the State government in supporting the Festival so fruitfully to facilitate the various events on the program, which this year boasts more than 25 running from now until May.
“It has become possible to present this variety of events over so many years, particularly in the last few years with the general support of the NSW government which this year has pledged an increase in the funding for the Greek Festival of Sydney to $800, 000 for the next four years,” Mr Danalis said during the official proceedings.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet credited the Greek community for continuing to grow the Festival to new heights, labelling it “one of the great institutions on Sydney’s calendar”.
“The Greek Festival of Sydney has not only become one of the biggest cultural festivals of NSW but it has become one of the best…When festivals are great, we should invest more and that is why we have doubled the investment here for this great Greek Festival,” Mr Perrottet said in his address to the masses in attendance.
NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns reflected on the grand nature of the initiative which had first started as a small event in Marrickville.
“I can only imagine that when the Festival was constituted, the idea that it would spread to the middle of Sydney with tens of thousands of people and weeks of celebratory events would have blown their minds away,” said Mr Minns.
The opposition leader made no mention of funding during his address.
However, his shadow minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper, a few nights ago at the launch of the Festival’s program, had pledged “to match the government’s offer and add to it GST”.
Archbishop Makarios attended the Festival’s proceedings at Darling Harbour for the first time since he became the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia in 2019.
In his address, he stressed that “we have to move forward as Greeks with one voice in unity and love”.
The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Ioannis Mallikourtis, hailed both the State and Commonwealth governments for their consistent support of the many initiatives conceived by the NSW Hellenes.
“On behalf of the Greek government, I would like to extend my gratitude to both state and federal authorities for everything they have done for the Greek community,” Mr Mallikourtis said.
The Festival itself is proudly presented by the Bank of Sydney and CEO Miltos Michaelas encouraged everyone to embrace the vast selection of events coming up.
“The Greek Festival of Sydney will include a series of events over the next few months involving films, theatrical performances, exhibitions, concerts, music. There will be lots of opportunity for everyone to get involved, have some great fun and strengthen our multicultural connection,” Mr Michaelas told the crowd in his speech.
City of Sydney Councillor (Waskam) Emelda Davis, who represented Lord Mayor Clover Moore, stated that the Festival is “the Greek community’s most prestigious event and it gives all Australians to experience this unique culture and heritage”.
Representing the Federal Opposition was former minister, Mr David Coleman, who is the Member for the seat of Banks. He signed off his address with a sentiment that is sure to be shared by all: “may there be many-many more successful decades to come for the Greek Festival of Sydney”.
Festival chair Nia Karteris, in her remarks, thanked all parties involved in the successful running of the Festival and the crowd for their continuous support, and she echoed the Archbishop’s call for unity.
NSW minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure reminisced on all the times he had attended the launch at Darling Harbour before COVID.
“I haven’t been to all 41 of them but I have been to the last 12. I look forward to supporting this festival in the future. It’s getting bigger and better and stronger,” said Mr Coure.
