Thessaloniki Association The White Tower held its annual festival in conjunction with the city of Thessaloniki last weekend.
Thousands from across Victoria turned out on Sunday to celebrate the event’s 31st anniversary at Federation Square in Melbourne’s CBD.
The vibrant atmosphere was set with live music, and young men and women dressed in traditional costumes taking to the stage to showcase traditional Greek dances from Macedonia, Pontos, Laconia and Crete.
Among those gathered, were a number committee members and official guests including chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission Helen Kapalos and vice-chair Spiros Alatsatas; Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott; Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Susan Reilly; and State Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos MP.
An official dinner also took place the night prior, hosted at Thornbury’s Normandy House, where a live band entertained guests with traditional Greek favourites throughout the night.
In attendance were Ms Kapalos and Mr Alatsas, along with Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Christina Simantiraki and president of the Greek Community Bill Papastergiadis, among other guests.