The members of the ‘Tzanidakis’ Folklore Group departed Australia for Crete with “glowing impressions of the vibrant Greek-Australian community”, following a series of successful performances in Sydney and Melbourne.

Their visit was part of the Arkadia 2024 Festival, commemorating the 158th anniversary of the Holocaust of Arkadi Monastery.

During their time in Melbourne, the group participated in various cultural events, including a visit to Oakleigh Grammar, where they introduced traditional Cretan dances to students.

“We discovered a second Crete, a second Greece here,” said Christos Tzanidakis, the group’s president and dance instructor, during an impromptu meeting with the Neos Kosmos team at a local café in Oakleigh.

A journey of connection and cultural exchange

Invited by the Pancretan Association of Melbourne and the Cretan Brotherhood of Sydney and New South Wales, the group delivered workshops, toured landmarks such as the Shrine of Remembrance, and visited Greek-Australian institutions, including St. John’s College and the Agapi Care Foundation.

Their performances reached a pinnacle during a grand event at the Cretan Village, where they celebrated Cretan heritage alongside local musicians.

The group’s connection to the diaspora runs deep. Since its founding in Rethymno in 2015, the ‘Tzanidakis’ Folklore Group has focused on preserving and promoting Cretan traditions, including dances, costumes, and customs.

Previous collaborations with Melbourne’s Pancretan Association include dance workshops and traditional serenades.

Strengthening ties across generations

This visit was particularly memorable for some group members, as they reunited with family in Australia and even discovered previously unknown relatives. Olga Kostaki, co-instructor and wife of Christos Tzanidakis, recounted how interactions with the diaspora revealed connections she hadn’t known existed.

The group left a lasting impression on the community. According to Anna Psaraki, Assistant Secretary of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, the group’s presence also inspired the next generation. Her son, who first learned Cretan dances during their 2018 visit, continues to perform today.

The group’s Australian tour concluded with their participation in a memorial service at the Axion Esti Monastery, honouring the heroes of the Arkadi sacrifice. Presided over by Bishop Evmenios, the event underscored the enduring bond between Crete and its diaspora.

More photos from the visit of the ‘Tzanidakis’ Folklore Group to Oakleigh Grammar, ‘Axion Esti,’ and the ‘Cretan Village’, below: