Greek dancing and food galore in massive turnout at Canberra Greek Glendi

·

By Evelyn Karatzas

The annual Canberra Greek Glendi was held on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of February, taking place at Garema Place in the city central of Canberra.

The event was a successful weekend thriving of Greek culture, food, music and endless dancing with an estimated turnout of 150,000-200,000 people visiting the Multicultural Festival.

As Canberra’s second biggest tourist event, and Australia’s largest Multicultural event, the festival had support of many people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, including Croatians, Asians, Russians and interstate people visiting the Glendi.

Canberra’s Premiere Greek street party, as Father Petros expressed, “every year gets bigger and better”, with a massive show of support from many Greeks and people across the country.

Hellenic Dancers performing at Canberra Greek Glendi. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas

With events running all weekend, the Hellenic Youth Club – HYC took over on Saturday, dancing the night away at the Bouzouki night. The following day, performances continued from the Canberra Hellenic Dancers from 12-4, as well as plate smashing, Zorba dancing and Loukoumades eating competitions.

There were additionally special performances by our Canberra’s own local talent Stratos Gianakakis on Bouzouki, Theodore Merkoureas on the Daouli, accompanied by a Didgeridoo player.

As everyone knows, Greeks no doubt have the best food, with the Glendi showcasing some of Greece’s specialties including souvlakia, gyros, kalamaria, koulourakia, spanakopita and loukoumades.

Stratos Gianakakis, Katie Skinner & Yianni Karatzas. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas

John Loukadellis, president of the Canberra Greek Community, was present at the festival and revealed how you can spot a non-Greek from their mispronunciation of Greek words when they ordered food, e.g. Spanakopita.

After being elected on the 10th of November 2019, John Loukadellis had a vision to expand Canberra’s Greek community by enforcing and encouraging his 3 mantras; “faith, “culture and tradition” and “Greek Language”.

Ever since, Loukadellis been working towards this goal, remaining a firm believer in the benefits of having a Greek speaking community from a young age and “setting the foundations straight through church, culture, traditions and our learning of the language”, and is something he will continue to push.

Preparing the food for thousands of guests at the Canberra Greek Glendi. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas

He discussed his plans for the Greek school program and how a year long project only took 3 months to achieve with a lot of hard work, persistence and belief, leading to increased memberships. Last year, there were 37 kids enrolled and are currently sitting on 93 kids, still enrolling up until the March 20.

Two of the biggest Greek school changes include moving locations to the Hellenic Club in Woden and introducing a new syllabus – the Papaloizou Publications system, replacing the Margarita system, which allows both Greek speaking and non-Greek speaking parents to assist children with their Greek work.

This has created a more modern, innovative and resourceful program which is currently being used in 4 Sydney, schools, including Saint Nectarios in Burwood.

John Loukadellis & Mr Dimitri Saragas (Cms 91.1 fm)

Mr Loukadellis has also organised to send 12 kids to Sydney next weekend for a youth Conference for young Greek Australians. The president has also been invited to MC at next year’s conference and will continue to encourage Greek dancing, the Greek school program and the Greek Youth of Canberra.

The Canberra Greek Glendi weekend was full of perfect weather, a massive turnout of people, and endless amounts of food, embracing what Australia is best known for, Multiculturalism, right in the Capital.

Bring on 25 years of the Multicultural festival Canberra next year!

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney to hold memorial marking 113 years since Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney will honour the 113th anniversary of the Liberation of Lesvos with a series of commemorative events.

Film Review: ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ is Haralambidis’ nocturnal love letter to Athens

The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024).

Elena Pappas honoured with the 2025 Stephen Myall Award

At the Law Institute of Victoria’s annual awards ceremony in October 2025, Elena Pappas was recognised with the Stephen Myall Award.

‘Fertility and Filoxenia’: Empowering conversations on fertility and IVF options

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia and Greek Community of Melbourne invite everyone to attend a free educational event on fertility.

Tom Panos blames PM for worsening housing crisis after confrontation at Sydney auction

Auctioneer Tom Panos says he was threatened by an angry bidder after an auction in Guildford over the weekend.

You May Also Like

Sydney Olympic ends winless streak with hard-fought victory over Sydney United

Sydney Olympic FC secured crucial 1-0 victory over Sydney United 58, ending their winless streak and securing vital points.

‘I’ve never done a show like this’: Christos Dantis takes to the stage in Australia

Iconic Greek singer-songwriter Christos Dantis will take to stages in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney this January. Read his interview here.

Look who’s cooking: Top five popular Greek Australian chefs

On International Chefs Day we celebrate remarkable chefs around the world and the many things they teach us about different cuisines.