Teenaged zeibekiko enthusiast Nikolaos (Nikos) Vasilas brought his social media initiative, “My Zeibekiko Journey”, to Melbourne, spreading his love for it to various spots in the city as he continues to promote that form of dancing across the nation.
Nikos, currently a Year 10 student at Marist College Kogarah in Sydney, has been expressing his passion for zeibekiko dancing through the social media page since he began it last year.
The page features videos of him performing zeibekiko dances in various public places across the country, having already done so in notable locations in Sydney, Perth, and now, most recently, in Melbourne.
“I was performing in an event of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia 2024 with the Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance at the Brunswick Ballroom,” Nikos told Neos Kosmos.
“After this great event, the performers- and their families- returned to Sydney. My father and I decided to stay as he had planned to interview some people about their migrant stories.”
The youngster made a plan to dance at various landmarks in Melbourne, such as at the 12 Apostles along the Great Ocean Road, though the schedule shifted after Neos Kosmos‘ Editor Sotiris Hatzimanolis introduced him to Kostas Alaveras.
“He (Alaveras) invited me to dance for the Seniors Group at Lower Templestowe and he then introduced me to the President of the Federation of Greek Seniors Groups, Yianni Koustoulias,” Nikos said.
The youngster stated that everyone seemed quite impressed with his dancing and that Aleveras and Koustoulias subsequently invited him to dance for the Greek Seniors Group in Northcote.
The dances continued as Alaveras introduced him to some shopkeepers in Oakleigh and he danced at Nikos Cakes and Melissa Restaurant, later also performing dances in between Scragg Coco and Madame Loulou in Monastiraki Arcade.
In addition to that, he also got up and danced with the Rebetiko Jam at Triakosia Restaurant, before also finally dancing for the residents of Fronditha Care in St Albans.
“This all happened in the span of three days. Nothing much was planned, but one thing lead to another very quickly and it became so busy,” the zeibekiko enthusiast said.
Nikos explained that there was a strong response to his initiative which instilled a great sense of pride in him and what he is doing with ‘My Zeibekiko Journey’.
“Watching a 16-year-old dancing zeibekiko brought a lot of joy to people- it did not matter if I was dancing for the elderly or in front of a shop,” he said, remarking that many encouraged him while some also got up and danced with him.
The youngster noted the humour in interacting with the γιαγιάδες and παππούδες, who were especially impressed by his dancing and keen to marry him off to a Melburnian.
“One yiayia embraced me and said “Θα σου βρούμε μια νύφη να σε εχουμε εδώ. I had to explain to her I still only 16 years old and the νύφη can wait for a few more years,” Nikos said.
The 16-year-old admitted that he was greatly touched by the desire shown by locals for him to visit again, though obviously it would need to be planned around his life in Sydney where he still goes to school.
“This quick visit to Melbourne was probably an introduction; a next trip will be better planned as people already know who I am and what I do. So, I am looking forward to visiting Melbourne again,” Nikos said.
The youngster stated that Kostas Alaveras is already on stand-by with the planning, while also noting the support and encouragement he was shown by Con Kalamaras during his trip.
Nikos assured that the visit was most illuminating to him and he has every intention of returning, leaving a final message simply saying “see you soon, Melbourne”.