The Antipodes Festival 2023 is well underway as the spirit of Hellenism paints Melbourne’s Lonsdale street in the blue and white of all things Greek.
There’s an electric atmosphere at the event which has brought crowds from far and wide to take in the sights and sounds of what is the premier cultural celebration in Australia’s largest Greek speaking city.
Renowned vocalist Alkistis Protopsalti made a special appearance at the event’s main stage early Saturday, giving crowds a taste of what’s to come when her show stopping performance takes over the festival at 8:50pm.
And her sneak peak performance gave way to the much anticipated Zorba Til You Drop competition, where contestants battled it out shoulder to shoulder for the chance to win a return trip to Greece for the last one standing.
Just after midday a slew of revelers took the opportunity to take a seat and enjoy an authentic meal from the countless food vendors offering everything Greek from the iconic souvlaki to succulent lamb fresh off the spit, of course washing it all down with a refreshing frappe and a few loukoumades for good measure.
Some attendees hadn’t even known the festival was on, but nevertheless joined in the fun when they came face to face with the unmistakeably Hellenic glendi.
Jaspreet was one such visitor who’d only recently arrived in Melbourne, when asked what impressed him most about the festival, he said “well I think the best thing just might be the food, but the whole thing is amazing, it’s just so alive!”
Others enjoyed sit-down meals at some of the Greek precincts celebrated eateries, Chris Drosos took the opportunity to spend his work break enjoying a banquet spread at Tsindos restaurant to the backdrop of scores of festival goers passing by.
“It’s pandemonium, there’s a really good turnout and it looks like it’s just going to keep picking up,” he told Neos Kosmos.
The Karagiozi shadow puppet performances have been playing out non stop, regaling children, parents and grandparents alike with family friendly hilarity the likes of which is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Victoria Police Sgt Georgios Papalas and his team are hard at work as they keep attendees safe with their patrols, so far the whole event’s gone off without a hitch and it seems set to get even better as the day goes on.
Even the ancient hoplites of antiquity have made an appearance, watching over the day’s festivities stoically in their shining armour, courtesy of the Ancient Hoplitikon of Melbourne.
