On Sunday December 4, 2022, the Greek Οrthodox community of St. George of Brisbane came alive with the emotional choral group, Ellinikes Fones, (Greek Voices) and the children’s choir of the Greek Οrthodox School of St. George.
Fones presented their second concert in six months since their establishment. The Christmas concert was dedicated to the custom of the Greek carols and the celebration of the Twelve Days.
“For the first time in the history of the community, we were blessed to witness such an artistic production and collaboration of all ages for a common purpose, which was none other than awakening memories in the older people and teaching the younger ones about our traditions that tend to be forgotten year after year”
“The protagonist was none other than the Christmas boat that came to us from Chios and proudly decorated the stage,” said Thomas Drakopoulos from the St George Community.
The event began with a prologue setting the historical framework of the concert then the younger carollers addressed the audience with the familiar phrase, “Shall we sing?” (na ta poume?).
“Three choirs, two vocal ensembles and singers accompanied by musicians from the community transported us to an imaginary place (plateia) where we witnessed a captivating concert.”
“The Christmas boat took us away to different regions of the motherland with traditional melodies and songs from Thrace, Macedonia, Kalymnos, Chios, Corfu, Crete, Ikaria and the Dodecanese. The traditional Athenian carols and the carols of Asia Minor were not missing,” said Christina Xydi-Lignou from the committee.
The event was organised by the “Ellinikes Fones” committee under the direction and artistic supervision of the conductor Christina Xydi and produced by her partner, George Lignos. The evening ended with meze and Greek wines from Nostimo restaurant.
