Thousands of people filled the grounds of St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church as the Let’s Go Greek Festival returned for its 12th year. Greek music, traditional dancing and the smell of souvlakia and loukoumades marked George Street on Sunday. Families and visitors from across Western Sydney stayed from late morning until the fireworks.
Prayer and anthems opened the grounds
Some guests headed straight to the food stalls. Others gathered around the dance floor. Children moved between carnival rides, face painting and activities. Music carried across the site. As a result, the parish grounds served as a public meeting place for the day.
Official proceedings began with a prayer. His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, led that prayer. He represented Archbishop Makarios of Australia. Students from St Ioannis Greek School of Parramatta and the St Ioannis Choir then sang the Greek and Australian national anthems. Afterward, young dancers from the Parramatta and Sylvania classes took the floor.
Bishop and officials address the crowd
Bishop Christophoros welcomed guests on behalf of the Archbishop. He said the gathering showed a wish to share faith and tradition. “We do not preserve our heritage by keeping it closed within ourselves; we preserve it by living it and sharing it with others,” he said. He also spoke about parents and grandparents who built churches, schools and communities in Australia. Moreover, he pointed to parish plans for a permanent church. “God willing, the next gathering will be when we lay the foundation stone of our new church…” he said.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney Georgios Skemperis spoke in Greek. He congratulated the Archdiocese, parish and organisers. He also urged eligible Greek citizens in Australia to register online to vote in Greece’s upcoming elections. Nikolaos Varellas, Deputy Head of Mission at the High Commission of Cyprus, described the gathering as bringing together Greeks, Cypriots and other communities. He also urged younger generations to remain proud of their Greek identity.
NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis thanked the parish, committee, volunteers, sponsors and donors. She acknowledged families teaching children the Greek language and traditional dances.
Parish traces Let’s Go Greek Festival to 2014
Parish and community president Kos Dimitriou traced the festival to 2014. That year the parish moved to the George Street grounds. He said the aim was to share heritage, community, and Greek Orthodox Christian faith. “Twelve years on, what began as a celebration has grown into something far greater than we ever imagined a journey larger than any one of us, and an honor to be part of.” he said.
This year’s program placed particular emphasis on the Greek language. Organizers screened a video from the parish Greek language school. Younger community members also performed. The formal opening also recognized organizer John Bris, the committee, volunteers, sponsors and supporters.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, State Member for Parramatta Donna Davis and City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter addressed guests later. Minns drew applause when he recognised Greek Australians. “For decades now, Greek Australians have come to our country and asked themselves just one question, ‘how do we make Australia better?’ and Greek Australians have contributed so much to our wonderful country – hard-working people who love their family, who care about their culture and have put Australia first. So, today, we pay tribute to you – the Greek Australians of Sydney and NSW,” he said.
Dance troupes, DJs and Tsalikis take over
Once formalities ended, community groups filled the dance floor. Performers included the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, St Paraskevi Blacktown Greek Dance School, Aristotelion Academy of Greek Traditional Dance, the Pontian Association of NSW Pontoxeniteas, the Cyprus Community of NSW Dance Group and the Kalymnian Association of NSW. The Pan Macedonian Association of NSW, Canberra Hellenic Dancers, Sydney Sizmos Greek Dance Company, Kogarah School of Greek Dancing, Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance and the Paroula Dance Group also joined.
The afternoon then shifted into party mode. DJs Georgie D and Jimmy V played. The Iho Nyx band performed. Clarinet and bouzouki sets followed. Meanwhile, an agora-style marketplace sold products, gifts, and cultural items. As evening arrived, Giorgos Tsalikis and his band from Greece turned the site into an open-air concert. The singer, known for To Ravasaki, Eimai Mia Hara and Apagorevmeno, drew the crowd to the stage.
Raffle and fireworks close Let’s Go Greek Festival
A major raffle added to the night. Prizes included two tickets to Greece and $10,000 cash. Fireworks then closed the long day.
Photo Gallery of the day
Photos copyright Nick Bourdaniotis / Greek City Times
