The smell of sardines filled the air on Sunday, September 21, as the Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney & NSW celebrated its much-anticipated Sardella Day at Mytilenian House in Canterbury.
By midday, the doors had swung open to a hall already buzzing with anticipation. Families, friends, and visitors poured in, ready for a feast that brought the flavours and traditions of Lesvos straight to Sydney’s south west.
A taste of Lesvos in Canterbury
Sardella Day is a beloved tradition on the Greek island of Lesvos, honouring the island’s world-famous sardines fished from the gulfs of Gera and Kalloni.
On Sunday, that spirit was alive in Canterbury, as platters of BBQ sardella, fried sardella, oven-baked sardella, and a variety of traditional mezethakia flowed out of the kitchen courtesy of Messinia Catering Services.
Guests remarked that the dishes transported them back to Greece, a sentiment echoed by Christine Stavropoulos.
“Our Annual Festival of the Sardella was a sold-out success. We had anticipated a bit of a challenge with numbers given there were other key events on the same day, but our wonderful supporters did not disappoint,” Ms Stavropoulos said.
Music, dancing, and community spirit
If the food was the flavour of the day, the music was its heartbeat. Guests were treated to performances by Ioannis Keligiannis, John Zaharis, Sam Christodoulidis, and Michael Platyrrahos, whose music kept the dance floor alive well into the afternoon.
The Sydney Greek Dancing School also took to the stage, dazzling the crowd with traditional Mytilenian dances before inviting guests to join in.
For many, it was an opportunity to extend their summer in Greece. “Many people who had recently just returned from Greece loved having that little taste of Greek island festivity to keep their Greece experience just that little bit longer,” Christine said.
Distinguished Guests and Community Connections
The day also brought together leaders and friends from across Sydney’s Hellenic community.
Among those present were the President of the Mytilenian Brotherhood Peter Psomas, President Emmanuel Valegeorgiou and Vice President Soula Gerasimou of the Samian Brotherhood of Sydney “O Lykourgos”, members of ELKA, author and filmmaker Billy Cotsis, and several past presidents of the Mytilenian Brotherhood.
It was, in every sense, a family affair, with generations mingling over shared plates and shared stories, reinforcing the bonds of culture and community.
*All photos copyright Eirini Alligiannis
