Last Thursday night marked a very promising start to one of the most iconic arts festivals in South Australia, in the presence of government and community dignitaries that gathered in the Adelaide Pavilion Parklands for the official launch.
Festival Hellenika (formerly known as The Greek Cultural Month) celebrates and promotes Hellenic arts and culture through a number of events, offering an open platform for local artists of any background to showcase their Hellenic connections through their work.
Held annually, it has become a major part of South Australia’s cultural scene.
Celebrating the festival’s 25th anniversary, the newly appointed president, Ms Loula Dacolias, announced the upcoming events and detailed program guide for 2016.
“Festival Hellenika is made possible through the passion and commitment of our committee members.
“Through our annual gatherings of artists, we will continue to offer a wide-ranging series of performances, screenings, presentations, exhibitions, concerts and events that reflect the talent and passion that have engaged audiences throughout South Australia,” highlighted Ms Dacolias.
The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Volunteers, Zoe Bettison MP, also attended the launch, representing Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill, MP.
“Festival Hellenika invites all South Australians to experience the influence of Hellenic culture across the arts and live the fullest, richest life we can,” Ms Bettison said.
In an attempt to explain why succeeding South Australian governments have been proud supporters of this event over the years, the minister turned to philosopher Aristotle and one of his famous quotes:
“Those who educate children should be honoured as much as those who produce them; because they don’t only give life, they give the art of living well.”
“I think this is exactly what Festival Hellenika does for South Australia,” Ms Bettison concluded.
A concert at the Marion Cultural Centre (8 & 9 March) in reference to the life and work of the renowned rebetika and laika composer Giannis Papaioannou will be one of the two highlights in this year’s festival, together with the Xenitia two-hour music concert (1 & 2 April) at the Adelaide Festival Centre, which will be a tribute to the generations of those who once tasted the sorrows and the joys of immigration.
Established in 1991, with the support of the Greek Consulate General of Greece in South Australia, Festival Hellenika is a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit and independent organisation with a governing board of elected volunteers.
“Festival Hellenika has been celebrating Greek Culture in Adelaide for a quarter of a century, reflecting the talent and passion that exist in South Australia, and the Hellenic state will continue to support its evolution within the multicultural tapestry of South Australia,” stated Consul General of Greece in South Australia, Mr Andreas Gouras.
The official program for Festival Hellenika, which runs from February to May 2016, can be found on the website www.festivalhellenika.org.au