Are you ready for a multicultural weekend festival? On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November, apart from the Melbourne Cup we have another reason to celebrate.
Oakleigh’s Warrawee Park will be oozing with indulging aromas, luring us to taste the strong flavours of Greece, while traditional sounds will undoubtedly make even the most reluctant visitor join the group of folk dancers for at least one spin.
Leader of the opposition and shadow minister for multicultural affairs and citizenship Daniel Andrews is to announce on Sunday that Labor will provide a $60,000 grant to Glendi. As one of Australia’s most popular Greek community events, Daniel Andrews, Jenny Mikakos (Shadow Minister for Community Services) and Oakleigh’s Labor candidate Steve Dimopoulos will announce Victorian Labor’s decision to financially support the Glendi if elected.
The party recognises the Hellenic community’s huge cultural contribution to the City of Monash and the festival’s importance for preserving the strong connections between different traditions that are infused to the Glendi, keeping the Greeks of Victoria close to people from across the state.
The Oakleigh Greek Glendi Festival might have started its humble journey as a students’ parade within Oakleigh Grammar’s school grounds, but it didn’t take long for it to turn into one of the community’s most engaging fiestas. It attracted more than 20,000 attendees in 2013, therefore, this year, the Greek Orthodox Community and District Inc. is to spread the Glendi over two whole days.
The festival commences at 12 noon each day and celebrations continue well into the evening. The annual Glendi Parade will take place on Sunday 2 November at 11.00 am, accompanied with public addresses from key local politicians and community leaders.
The Oakleigh Greek Glendi – Unity Through Diversity Festival, remains true to its name, trying to celebrate the local community’s rich Hellenic culture, while endorsing and promoting the many other cultural identities that are present in the Australian population through social acceptance and unity. The Glendi will include parades, roving dance performances, stalls, carnival style rides and children’s entertainment throughout Oakleigh’s iconic Eaton Mall and nearby Warrawee Park. This wouldn’t, of course, be possible if it weren’t for the support of the City of Monash and the Victorian Multicultural Commission, along with many politicians as well as other special guests who will be in attendance throughout the weekend.