The Central Union of Melbourne and Victoria “Pontiaki Estia” hosted its annual Christmas event on Saturday at its event hall. The occasion brought together members of the community, with the association’s board of directors in full attendance, led by President Kostas Tseprailidis.
The evening began with a recap of the year’s achievements by Parthena Tsompanopoulou, the association’s coordinator and dance instructor. Reflecting on the numerous performances by the cultural dance groups, she extended heartfelt thanks to fellow dance instructors Michalis Vasileiou, Xenophon Pardalis, and Daphne Gika for their dedicated and loving collaboration.
Tsompanopoulou stressed the importance of involving children in cultural activities, praising parents for their unwavering support.
“Your contributions help preserve our heritage and pass it on to the next generation,” she said.
She also acknowledged the volunteer musicians who contribute their time every Sunday to assist with dance lessons.
“Their efforts,” she noted, “have been instrumental in the success of the dance ensembles”.
Tsompanopoulou ended her remarks with Christmas blessings and optimism for another productive and rewarding year ahead.
As part of the celebration, gifts were distributed to all children in attendance. A highlight of the evening was the children’s choir, whose enchanting renditions of traditional Christmas and New Year’s carols captivated the audience.
The event concluded with a lively Pontian feast featuring traditional music and dancing. Renowned musicians entertained the crowd, including:
- Singers: Nikos Psychogios and Dimitris Tsompanopoulos
- Lyra Players: Stefanos Levogiannis, Kostas Psychogios, and Petros Tsompanopoulos
- Aghio (Bagpipe): Michalis Vasileiou
- Drummers (Daouli): Alexandros Pilalidis and Kostas Kostidis
More photos below
