Lesvos Culture Club – Palesviaki Enosis of Melbourne and Victoria is bringing back the annual Ouzo Festival at Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Bayswater this Sunday, 5 March.
Melbourne’s young and old alike are invited to enjoy one of the finest customs of the island of Lesvos, through a tradition interspersed with music, dancing and lots of ouzo.
“Ouzo Festival, carries the flavour of Aegean Greece, and creates the right conditions for visitors to enjoy their ouzo under the trees while mingling with friends”, through which “we are reviving our island customs,” John Karanikolas, president of the Melbourne and Victoria Paliscian Association told Neos Kosmos.
With the ouzo flowing attendees can sing and dance to the tunes of the live orchestra, with Stathis Fournarakis on the keyboard and vocals, and Duchess Philippou along with George Malliaros on vocals tasked with bringing some genuine Mytilene revelry to the stage.
While parents enjoy the festive atmosphere, special areas designated for children will be available for the younger generations.
Mr Karanicolas shared his hopes that “such events will rekindle the interest of young people… the youth no longer participates in the community events which seems to be of particular concern to the community associations”, he said, explaining that in pre-pandemic times, “of the 2,000 visitors, 1,500 were young people”.
Admission costs $25, and the price includes free ouzo with a glass. Children under 18 can entered for free.
When: Sunday, March 5 from 11am to 6pm
Where: 26 Waldheim Street, Bayswater, VIC
