Pontiaki Estia celebrated 48 years of cultural activities and contributions in a packed event hall at the Holy Presentation of Our Lord Church in Coburg last Saturday.

The event featured representatives from the Administrative Councils of both Federations, as well as Pontian Associations from Sydney, Perth, Canberra, and Melbourne. The night was filled with messages of optimism for the future of Pontian Hellenism, highlighted by a generous $2,500 donation from Kostas Kyvelidis and his wife Sofia.

Over the past 48 years, Pontiaki Estia has faced numerous challenges, working tirelessly to preserve the traditions, culture, and religion of their homeland.

Their efforts have been successful, enabling them to proudly present the youngest Administrative Council in the entire Greek diaspora. Through hard work and dedication, they have secured a valuable heritage and ensured its continuation in strong, capable hands.

President Kostas Tseprailis expressed his satisfaction and optimism for the future of the Association and Pontian Hellenism in Australia. He was particularly moved by the number of dancers participating in this year’s celebrations, as well as this year’s musical segment, which began with the young talents Nikos Psychogios (vocals), Konstantinos Psychogios and Petros Tsompanopoulos (lyra), and Alexandros Pilalidis (drums).

Kyriakos Fotiadis (guest from Sydney), Giannis Karadis (vocals), Alexandros Pilalidis, Dimitris Tsompanopoulos (drums), Kostas Kostidis, Stefanos Levogiannis (lyra), Michalis Vasileiou (aulos), and Giorgos Bletas (keyboard) played traditional Pontian music, adding to the evening’s festivities.

(L-R) Yiannis Pilalidis (Vice President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia), Haris Navrozidis (President of the Federation), Esta Paschalidis (Vice President of “Pontoxenitea” Sydney), Konstantinos Tseprailidis (President of Pontian Estia), Litsa Athanasiadis (President of Merimna Pontion Kyrion), Angie Trio (from the Pontian Association of Canberra), Anthony (President of “Pontoxenitea” Sydney), and N. Chrysostomidis (President of Pontians of Wollongong). All photos: Con Deves
Everyone feasting together enjoying the performances.
“We are proud of our dance instructors and dancers,” said Vice President Yiannis Pilalidis, who also spoke about the tremendous work of dance instructors Parthena Tsompanopoulou, Michalis Vasileiou, Xenophon Pardalis, and Daphne Gika.
The dance groups performed 20 dances from 11 regions of Pontus in 9 sections, each capturing the unique style of its region.
Pontian dancers took the audience on a musical journey across the 71,500 square kilometers of their unforgettable homeland, from Samsun to Batumi, passing through Kotyora, Giresun, Trabzon, ancient Nicopolis, the mines of Ak-Dag Maden, Mount Thynis of the Myriads, Mount Mela to the throne of Panagia in beautiful Matsouka, and finally to Sinop, the birthplace of Diogenes.