Organisers of two of the largest celebrations of Greek culture outside of Greece, the Lonsdale Street Festival and the Greek Festival of Sydney, have officially announced Dimitris Basis and Zoi Papadopoulou as the headliners for 2015.
“I am excited to be travelling to Melbourne and Sydney to perform. To see such a large celebration of Greek culture so far away from Greece is a testament to the strength of the Greek community in sharing our culture with the rest of Australia,” said Basis.
With both festivals taking place over the same weekend, the duo will be taking to the stage with a seven-piece band, first performing in Melbourne with a special Valentine’s Day performance.
Staged in the heart of the City of Melbourne’s Greek precinct, the festival is expected to attract close to 10,000 people over the two days.
Presented by Delphi Bank, for the first time Melbourne’s festival will be hosted by the GOCMV’s newly built Centre for Contemporary Greek Culture.
“Melbourne and its people have shown great love of Greek culture and we are once again pleased to bring the best of Greece to the heart of the city for another year,” said director of The Greek Centre, Jorge Menidis.
“A highlight among the range of activities across the two days will be the Saturday night performance by Dimitris Basis and Zoi Papadopoulou. The festival is honoured to host these two performers who will bring the street alive with a mix of popular and traditional Greek music that will appeal to people of all ages,” he said.
Aside from bringing two of Greece’s biggest performers to Australian audiences, the festival will also feature a range of free entertainment, food stalls, children’s activities and cooking demonstrations.
The 2015 Lonsdale Street Festival and The 2015 Greek Festival of Sydney are both free events, with both festivals to be held on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February. For more information visit www.antipodesfestival.com.au and www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au