The Greek Street Fair Burwood returned this year bigger than ever before as it once more proved its value as a staple of the local area’s calendar.
The Sydney event was held last Sunday and engaged Greeks and non-Greeks with dancing performances, live music, food trucks, market stalls, all to show off the Hellenic culture and hospitality in the area.
The initiative was supported by Multicultural NSW as well as Burwood Council, with the latter helping secure the more prominent location of Railway Parade in addition to Burleigh Street, which allowed the initiative to take place just outside the Church of St Nectarios.
The volunteer Event Director for the Fair, Christina Efthymiades AM, stated that the Mayor of Burwood Council, John Faker, was eager to help the event grow even bigger this year in what is its tenth edition.
“It was the local council that sought permission from the state government to get Railway Parade closed and then they paid for that closure which is what made it possible to do it there,” Ms Efthymiades told Neos Kosmos.
“It was fantastic because people who were walking past saw it a lot more prominently. It was a huge day and I would say we probably had around 5,000 people come through.”
The event’s Director stated that people of all kinds of backgrounds and cultures came through, and many of these people also visited the church, lighting candles and looking at the icons.
“Because the Festival was right outside, I think people thought it was a bit of an open day and so there was a number of people flowing into the church which was really beautiful,” she said.
Paradise Band played on the day and there were a number of dancing troupes that performed throughout the Fair.
These included: the Nassibian Dancers, Sydney Sizmos, Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance, the Kalymnian Association of NSW Dancers, Rallis School of Greek Dance and the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW Dancers.
The Fair also featured online cooking sensation YiaYia from YiaYia’s Kitchen and DJ Krazy Kon, both giving interviews and taking selfies with guests throughout the day with the latter launching his 20 Year Edition Greece Mix Album with signings and giveaways.
Photo: Bourdo Photography/Supplied
Entertainment for children included jumping castles, competitions, a stilt-walkers and the mascots of Mitsos the Greek Street Fair Donkey and Plato the Greek Dancing Cat.
“All our volunteers worked so hard all day. The feedback we had from attendees and market stall holders was that our volunteers were just so warm, friendly and polite. We got lots of positive feedback about how well-organised the event was and how lovely everyone was.”
The Greek Orthodox parish and Community of Burwood and District have organised events like this since its establishment in 1970, always taking place the Sunday after the Feast Day of St Nectarios which is commemorated the world each year on November 9.
Ms Efthymiades explained that this Fair, the latest format of this traditional celebration, aimed at making the event more public and not intensely focused on just Hellenes.
“We consciously made Greek Street Fair a community event for all communities. It is with great pride that we have seen it develop and grow and become a bit of a fixture on the local calendar.”
The Fair’s Director elaborated on her joy in the event receiving attention from the local council as well as positive feedback from the NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper.
“I do feel immense pride that it is a popular event, is well supported and that people have a great time,” Ms Efthymiades said.
“Sharing our hospitality, our culture, food, dancing with the broader community does make you proud and excited. It also makes the tiredness from setting up in the early hours of the morning go away. Once the day gets underway, you feel so happy to be doing it and so proud.”
