There were more than movies being launched at the opening of the 2011 Greek Film Festival in Melbourne last Wednesday as Spiro Alatsas, deputy chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, announced a further $25,000 in funds for Victoria’s Antipodes Festival.
A big win for Greek cultural celebrations, Antipodes Festival will receive a grand total of $100,000 in funded support for the festival. Minister for Multiculturalism Nicholas Kotsiras highlighted the importance of such a cultural event.
“The Victorian government increased funding to the festival to reflect more accurately the work that the Antipodes Board, its army of volunteers, artists and community groups do in making the festival an annual success,” he said. “The Antipodes Festival and Glendi, which showcase Greek Australian arts and community culture, is a hallmark cultural tourism event for all Victorians to enjoy,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“The Victorian government is committed to supporting and fostering multicultural community events and festivals to highlight Victoria’s success in multiculturalism,” he said. He added that “community celebrations add value to our state’s social, cultural and economic development while promoting greater cultural awareness, cohesion and harmony.”