The Pontian Association of NSW Pontoxeniteas experienced an unforgettable weekend at the Pontian House with special guest and international musician from Greece, Diogenis.
Diogenis last visited Pontoxeniteas in 2012, this year, hosting a Pontian Culture Workshop for all to attend.
The workshop involved teachings of the Pontian Dialect, sounds, words, sentences, and covered the history, poems, genocide, personal stories and instruments. Games were played alongside singing, creating an engaging atmosphere which stretched across five hours.
Traditions, stories shared from survivor’s, and Diogenis’ emphasis on the importance of holding workshops to educate younger generations on the rich Pontian culture were highlights of the event.
Association President, Maria Anthony shared the importance of having musicians and academics come to Australia that can provide their knowledge on our rich Pontian culture, where they can teach our Dialect, the Piontian words and an opportunity for our audience to ask questions and be engaging.
On the Saturday night, Diogenis played the Lyra and vocals, Chris Skenderidis was on keyboard, and Prodromos Moysiadis, on Daouli. The music took everyone in attendance on a journey through Greece – from Pontos to Crete, to Imperios, to the Islands, and back to Pontos. Kosta Papoulidis was also on Lyra, accompanied by vocals with Peter Tsenkas on Daouli.
Many new faces graced the dinner dance, including a group from Syria, where all present could enjoy the night.
The Association thanked the Greek Pontian Society of Wollongong “Diogenis”, Nick Chrissostomidis and their members, alongside expressiing gratitude for the Canberra Association of Pontos ‘Trapezounta’, Angela Trio and the committee for attending and for their support.
The Pontoxeniteas NSW Committee, dance teachers, youth committee and everyone that helped over the course of the three-day-long event also received special mention alongside Syndesmos – Connecting People and Their Stories, The Greek Herald, and the 2MM radio station hosted by Spiros Papastefanou and John Theodoridis.
