The Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW marked the 159th anniversary of the Holocaust of the Arkadi Monastery with a moving Arkadi Dinner Dance on Saturday, November 8.
Held at the Clairemont Reception Centre in Bankstown, the event drew a crowd of more than 200 guests for an evening that intertwined remembrance, music, and cultural pride.
Warm welcomes and heartfelt tributes
The event was emceed by Ari Paraskakis, who guided the evening with warmth and humour, welcoming dignitaries, community members, and friends of Crete.
Among the guests were Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Eirinaios Trialonakis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, both attending a Cretan Association event for the first time.
Also present were Anastasia Christofilopoulou, First Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, and Emmanuel Mountakis, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand.
Father Eirinaios, who recently arrived from Crete, offered a heartfelt welcome and recited traditional mandinathes about the Holocaust of Arkadi – verses honouring the courage and sacrifice of the 964 Cretans who perished defending their freedom. His moving words drew warm applause from the audience, after which he was presented with a small gift by the Association in appreciation of his presence and spiritual message.
Consul General Skemperis delivered a reflective address highlighting Crete’s rich historical legacy, spanning from the Minoan civilisation and Erotokritos to the Arkadi tragedy, Eleftherios Venizelos, and the Battle of Crete. To mark the occasion, he was presented with a replica Minoan bas-relief from the Palace of Knossos, symbolising the island’s enduring contribution to Greek history and world heritage.
‘We don’t celebrate death – we celebrate freedom’
In his keynote speech, Cretan Association President Terry Saviolakis paid tribute to the fallen heroes of Arkadi while reflecting on what their sacrifice continues to mean to Cretans worldwide:
“We don’t celebrate the battle or the death,” he said. “We celebrate the freedom – the very freedom they fought and died for.”
He went on to highlight the ongoing role of the Association in keeping those traditions alive.
“Before us, the first and second generations of Cretan migrants formed a Brotherhood to preserve our customs here. Now, the first, second, third, and fourth generations continue to keep the Cretan customs alive. That love for our island is something worth rejoicing,” Mr Saviolakis said.
Dances, music and emotion
The night featured performances from all three dance groups of the Cretan Association – the junior, intermediate, and senior teams – led by teachers Irene Vitetzakis, Christopher Townsend, Vayia Spanoudakis, and Tina Parliaros.
The young dancers, dressed in traditional Cretan costume, captivated the audience with their rhythm and precision, embodying the intergenerational spirit of Crete.
This year’s event also marked the farewell of dance teacher Ms Spanoudakis, who concluded five years of service. She was honoured with a gift and extended applause for her dedication to the Association’s youth and her passion for passing on Cretan heritage.
Live music by international artists from Crete – Vangelis Kimionis, Klearchos Manolioudis, and Michalis Lymakis – filled the hall with the unmistakable sounds of the lyra and laouto, transporting attendees straight to the mountains and villages of Crete.
Honouring community service and legacy
A highlight of the night was the presentation of the 13th annual “Megalonisos Award”, which recognises exceptional dedication to the Cretan Association and the broader community. This year’s award went to George Parliaros, a longstanding member and former committee member.
His family’s deep roots within the Association were noted with pride – his daughter Tina serves as head dance teacher, and his son Andrew Parliaros is a former president. The moment was especially emotional, as it marked George’s first time seeing his granddaughters perform, a sight many felt his late wife, Anna, was watching “from above.”
Farewell to a diplomat
The Association also farewelled Mrs Christofilopoulou, whose tenure as First Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney has been marked by invaluable service to the community.
Mrs Christofilopoulou played a key role in supporting the Cretan Association and the Consulate’s Battle of Crete delegations, strengthening ties between Greece and Australia through culture and commemoration.
She was presented with a special gift from the Association in appreciation of her contributions and dedication to the Hellenic diaspora.
Keeping the Arkadi spirit alive
With its blend of solemn remembrance and joyful celebration, this year’s Arkadi Dinner Dance once again captured the essence of the Cretan spirit — resilience, faith, and unbreakable community.
As Mr Saviolakis concluded: “The people of Arkadi gave their lives so that Crete could live free. The least we can do is honour them together.”
