Melbourne’s iconic Lonsdale Street came to life once again as the 37th Antipodes Festival transformed the city’s historic Greek precinct into a vibrant celebration of Hellenic culture.
Organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), the festival drew over 100,000 people to its celebrations, immersing them in a weekend of music, dance, food, and tradition.
As the largest Hellenic festival in the global diaspora, Antipodes continues to honour the deep cultural roots of Greek Australians while bringing new energy and experiences to the heart of the city.
Setting the stage for the festivities, President of the GCM, Bill Papastergiadis, OAM, took to the stage to officially open the festival. He was joined by a distinguished lineup of guests, including Honourable Jacinta Allan Victorian Premier, Hon. Nick Staikos Minister of Local Government, Kat Theophanous MP Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health, Hon. Steve Dimopoulos Minister for Environment, Tourism, Sport, Major Events and Outdoor Recreation, Lee Tarlamis OAM MP Labor Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, Melos Sulicich CEO of Bank of Sydney, Dimitra Georgantzoglou Consulate General of Greece and His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, all coming together to honour the Greek community’s lasting impact on Melbourne’s multicultural landscape.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan made her first-ever appearance at the Antipodes Festival, proudly embracing the vibrant Greek culture and ethos that define this beloved event. Taking to the stage, she spoke passionately about the importance of multiculturalism in Victoria, recognising the generations of Greek Australians who have shaped the state’s identity. The Premier continued by expressing her admiration for the way the festival unites generations, from the elders who have preserved their heritage to “the little kids who are continuing to carry forward that passion and commitment to Greek culture in our state.”
In a powerful moment, Allan spoke about her recent letter to the British Prime Minister, urging the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which she described as a “priceless treasure” and “a stolen part of Greece.”
She declared, “They are more than artifacts, they are a precious part of Greece… a precious part of the Greek soul, and they should be returned to her to complete the majesty of the Parthenon. And I look forward to seeing one day at the Parthenon those marbles where they truly belong.”
Allan closed her address by reaffirming her government’s commitment to multiculturalism and protecting the values that allow communities to celebrate their culture and faith freely. Her speech was met with applause, as the crowd welcomed her unyielding support and recognition of the deep-rooted traditions that make the Greek Australian community so unique.
From early Saturday morning, crowds began gathering in Lonsdale Street, eager to immerse themselves in the festivities. Families, friends, and curious visitors of all ages gathered, to enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavours of Greek culture, filling the Street with bustling energy that set the tone for the unforgettable weekend ahead.
Staying true to tradition, the festival activities kicked off with the exhilarating ‘Zorba Til You Drop’ dance, a crowd-favourite endurance challenge that put both dancers and spectators to the test. The National Bank of Greece was the key sponsor. Ms. Katerina Patopolis, Chief Representative Manager of the bank, shared her excitement about supporting the competition with this year’s champion being Nikos Vokolos.
Some of the major dance groups and bands that participated in the 37th Antipodes festival, were: Alphington Grammar Choir, Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria Schools, The Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria, “Flambouro” philanthropic society of South Australia, The Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and Victoria ‘Pontiaki Estia’, GCM Dance Group – Thraki, Greek Orthodox Community of SA, Nestoras College, Oakleigh Grammar, St John’s College Performing Group, Kalymnian Dancing group, Greek Lyceum of SA School of Greek Dance and Culture, Cats and the Canary, Florina Aristotelis, Pontian Association of Whittlesea “Panagia Soumela”, O Periklis Dance Group, Pegasus Dance Academy, Pan Macedonian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, Estudiantina of Melbourne, Cypriot Style Entertainment, Heirs of Apollo, Gales Edge, Armonia Ensemble, Melbourne Bellydance, Totally Kicking Brass, Arxondises Dance Group, Stilt Divas, Melbourne Gaida Ensemble, DJ’s and Mavrothalassitis.
This year, the many attendees were treated to an impressive selection of nearly 100 stalls, offering everything from exquisite Greek jewellery and decorations to appetising delicacies and desserts, as well as displays from Greek organisations and schools. In an exciting first, the food stalls expanded all the way to Russell Street, to accommodate the festival’s growing popularity and its continued ability to share the diverse flavours of Greece with an ever-growing crowd.
Making its debut as a major sponsor, Chemist Warehouse, one of Australia’s leading pharmacy retailers, brought exciting interactive experiences to the festival. Visitors lined up at the Chemist Warehouse stall to spin the wheel for a chance to win exclusive goody bags.
Beyond its mouthwatering Greek cuisine and fascinating performances, the festival is a vibrant celebration of Hellenic culture, showcasing the traditions of Greece to the wider Australian community.
Recognised since 2024 by the City of Melbourne as a Tier 1 event it has become a must-attend event in Melbourne’s cultural scene. Featured on the ‘What’s on Melbourne’ page by the City of Melbourne and hailed as the best free festival in the city, it continues to draw crowds year after year, uniting people in a dazzling showcase of Greek heritage, passion, and exceptional hospitality.
Attendees were invited to embark on a culinary journey through Greece, supported by The Greek Herald. They indulged in authentic aromas and flavours that captured the essence of Greek cuisine. Along Lonsdale and Russell Street, a tantalising selection of traditional dishes awaited, from the iconic Greek souvlaki and gyros to the succulent sheftalies from Cyprus, Thessaloniki’s famous koulouria, and golden, syrup-soaked loukoumades. For those eager to deepen their appreciation of Greek food, a series of live cooking demonstrations offered a behind-the-scenes look at the culinary secrets that make Greek cuisine so unforgettable, which included Philip Vakos. Other standout demonstrations featured Hellenic Wines and Angie Giannakoudakis, each bringing their own unique flavours and expertise to the festival stage.
For the daring, the festival offered plenty of opportunities to participate in thrilling competitions that kept both participants and the crowd on the edge of their seats. Each event came with fantastic prizes, including the Procal Yogurt Competition.
Over the weekend, the festival came alive with the help of more than 500 of the best local music and dance performers who brought the spirit of Greece to Melbourne. Visitors of all ages were welcome to enjoy the various carnival rides, exciting arcade games, and snap a picture with the performers dressed as ancient Greek deities.
In addition, in this year’s festival, children were invited to take part in a sensory journey through Greece, led and organised by educators Christina Soumi, Sirmo Kapoutsi, Maria Vikatou and Vicky Petalas of GCM Schools. Through the captivating sounds of Hajidaki and Theodorakis, the fragrant herbs of Greece, kids had the opportunity to explore Greek culture in a fun and interactive way. The sessions also included hands-on sensory play activities, such as preparing dried oregano, and planting basil, allowing the young participants to engage with the textures and scents of Greece. The basil plants were provided in partnership with Niko’s Garden. Young visitors had the opportunity to listen to stories in Greek alongside Aboriginal Dreamtime stories in English. They wrapped up their visit to the kids’ corner by dancing to Greek children’s songs at the Silent Δisko.
For the first time ever, the Antipodes Festival introduced a silent Δisco led by DJ Timo, and it was an instant hit, running from 11 pm to 1 am! Australian-raised and now calling Athens home, DJ Timo is a highly acclaimed DJ and music producer.
After a day filled with traditional dances, delicious Greek delicacies, and live music, the first night of the festival concluded with an entrancing performance by Greek singer Rena Morfi. As Saturday’s headline act, Morfi took the stage and the crowds flooded Lonsdale Street, everyone eager to catch a glimpse of the singer and enjoy her electrifying performance. Joined by her talented band, she infused the night with a perfect blend of Greek heritage and Melbourne’s vibrant multicultural charm. The crowd was unstoppable cheering, clapping, and singing along as Morfi’s unique voice carried through the busy streets. With her signature charisma and electrifying stage presence, she mesmerised the audience, inviting them to lose themselves in the rhythm, the melodies, and the unbreakable spirit of Greek music.
On Sunday evening, one of the weekend’s most anticipated moments was held on the main stage, the award ceremony for the 2025 Greek Community Cup champions.
In 2025 the Box Hill women’s team celebrated their inauguration to the Greek Community Cup, claiming victory alongside the Hellas Melbourne men’s team and celebrating their hard-earned triumph. The Greek Community Cup is more than just a tournament; it’s a tribute to heritage and a way to showcase the passion and skill of young athletes within the Greek Australian community. The winning teams were honoured on the main stage with their trophies presented by Vice President Michalis Karamitos.
The highly anticipated closing performance of the Antipodes Festival left audiences spellbound as the “Xylourides”—Antonis, Nikos, and Apollonia Xylouris—took the stage on Sunday night. The trio, born in Melbourne and raised on the island of Crete, showcased their exceptional musical talent, performing full-of-life songs that had the crowd dancing and singing along until the very end.
As one of the most iconic moments of the Festival, the Xylourides’ performance served as a testament to the ongoing connection between generations and their dedication to preserving and sharing Greek culture with the Australian community. Their vibrant energy, combined with their passion for their heritage, made for a powerful and memorable night.
The Antipodes Festival, renowned for celebrating Greek culture and community in Melbourne, was brought to a fitting close with the Xylourides’ dynamic performance. As the trio invited the audience to join them in song and dance, the night was a true reflection of the unity, joy, and pride that the festival represents.
Official opening of the 37 Antipodes Festival
The event was attended by well-known community leaders, members of parliament, media representatives and members of the GCMV Board.
The highly anticipated Antipodes Festival, one of Australia’s largest celebrations of Greek culture, was officially opened by Bill Papastergiadis OAM, who hosted the event with great pride and enthusiasm and introduced his esteemed guests.
During the Festival’s opening ceremony, Papastergiadis thanked the Premier for her first attendance at the Antipodes Festival. He stated that “The partnership with the State Government is critical to the success of the festival.”
Papastergiadis continued by explaining that, “The Antipodes Festival is one of Australia’s largest festivals that brings the community together through song, dance, food and friendship. The Greek Community’s contribution to the makeup of this city is substantial and the presence of so many political leaders exemplify this.” He explained that the festival is “A solid mechanism to encourage the Government to continue to support multiculturalism.” He encouraged the Premier to make a priority to visit Greece.
In his opening remarks, Papastergiadis expressed heartfelt gratitude to the festival’s sponsors, acknowledging that their ongoing support is crucial to the success and continuation of the event.
“It is because of our sponsors including the Victoria State Government and the City of Melbourne that the Antipodes Festival is made possible, and we are truly thankful for their commitment to celebrating our culture and community,” Papastergiadis stated.
All speakers lauded Greece and the influence of Hellenism in Australia.
Claire O’Neil, Minister of Housing, and Peter Khalil MP, expressed their appreciation of Greek culture, stating they feel lucky to be honourable members of the greater Greek Community. O’Neil communicated her gratitude for the Greek Community by adding, “With my beautiful three children who love Greek culture, we’ve enjoyed the beautiful food and drink and the wonderful generosity. For what would Australia be without our Greek Australians?”
Mr Khalil highlighted the significant contributions Greek Australians have made to the country, “It’s not just about the souvlaki and the festival, it’s about the faith, family, culture, and language that Greeks have brought to this country and made it what it is today.”
Reflecting on his personal experiences, Mr Khalil shared, “I grew up with a lot of Greek Australians, and the main things for the Greek Australian community are faith, family, culture, and language.” He also stressed the importance of Greek school, adding, “It’s very important. Kids may hate it, but they need to go to Greek school.”
Melos Sulicich, CEO of the Bank of Sydney, explained to the crowd that the bank has Greek roots. He said, “We’re from the Greek community. We’re with the Greek community, we love to be with the Greek community, and we’re very proud to be.”
A significant part of the bank’s success is its Greek-speaking staff, with most employees hailing from the Greek community. “If you speak Greek and you come into our branches, you can talk to our staff in Greek. Most of our bankers are Greek, and they speak the language better than I do!” Sulicich proudly shared.
The Honourable David Davis from the Liberal Party, expressed his joy for attending the festival, adding, “I am a strong supporter of the Greek community, I always will be, and you have my absolute support.” He highlighted that “It’s a dangerous time in the world. We’ve got to stay strong with our friends overseas, including those in the European Union and the Greek Community in particular. Our strength is the people who are here, who built our economy, who built our links.” He concluded his speech by thanking the attendees and the workers of the festival for all of their contributions to the greater Victorian community.
Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, said, “It’s an absolute privilege to join you here this evening for the Antipodes festival to celebrate the Hellenic Culture and history from Macedonia to the shores of Cyprus to here in Melbourne.” Allan highlighted the festival’s broader importance beyond cultural sharing, stating, “Today we are celebrating Greece and Greece’s gifts to the world, to the covers philosophy and science, to art and architecture and of course, the principles of democracy are one of those great gifts that Greece has given to our global world.”
In a heartfelt message, she addressed the Greek Australians of Melbourne, sharing that she has reached out to the British Prime Minister, calling for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. In her speech, the Premier emphasised the importance of the Marbles as a “priceless treasure.”
In his speech, Bishop Evmenios of Chora, praised the efforts of the community and emphasised how much His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia appreciates their dedication to maintaining their traditions while contributing to the broader Australian society. Speaking on the Archbishop’s message, he explained, “His Eminence holds deep appreciation for the great community of Melbourne and the remarkable work they do in preserving and promoting our rich heritage.”
Bishop Evmenios, also addressed the youth, encouraging them to embrace their heritage with pride and carry forward the legacy of their ancestors. The young generation was urged to let the courage of their predecessors inspire bold dreams and actions that will help shape the future while preserving the cultural richness of the Greek community.
Dimitra Georgantzoglou, the new Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, delivered her first address at the Antipodes Festival. In her speech, she warmly congratulated the Greek Community of Melbourne, for their exceptional organisation of the event. Georgantzoglou praised the festival for its importance in bringing together the Greek diaspora, celebrating Greek music, gastronomy, and tradition. She highlighted the Greek Government’s commitment to strengthening ties between Greeks abroad and the homeland, with the introduction of a new Strategic Policy Plan for Greeks Abroad (2024-2027). Georgantzoglou reassured the community that she would continue efforts to further solidify the relationship between Greece and its diaspora.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece of the City of Melbourne expressed his pride and pleasure in the City of Melbourne being the principal sponsor of the Antipodes Festival. He confirmed the city’s commitment to continuing its sponsorship for the next four years. He emphasised that the festival is not only the largest Hellenic festival in Australia but also the biggest in the world and will continue to grow and improve.
Brad Battin, Leader of the Victoria Liberal Party, expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm reception from the Greek community. Battin, a proud Melburnian, spoke highly of the significant role the Greek community plays in shaping Melbourne’s unique identity and cultural fabric. During his speech, Battin highlighted the importance of events such as the Antipodes Festival, which showcase the multiculturalism that makes Melbourne one of the world’s most vibrant cities. “These are the events that make Melbourne what it is,” said Battin. “Your community has helped build this city, and we must continue to support one another to ensure its growth and prosperity.”
Michael Sukkar MP, a dedicated public figure and long-time supporter of the Greek community, delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the pivotal role Greek Australians have played in the cultural, economic, and social development of Melbourne and Victoria. Reflecting on his own upbringing in a multicultural Melbourne, Sukkar shared his personal connection with the Greek community, which he described as one of the pillars of Melbourne’s identity. “The prosperity that Greek Australians have brought to Victoria is remarkable,” said Sukkar, highlighting their values of family and business. “You can’t imagine Melbourne without the Greek community. Let’s be honest.”
Counsellor Rafael Camillo thanked the attendees for their participation and enthusiasm, delivering an inspiring message about the future of the event and the local precinct. “Let’s make this event bigger and bigger and bigger. Let’s bring some great shops back to Lonsdale,” Camillo declared, receiving cheers and applause from the crowd. His remarks were met with strong support from Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, who praised Camillo’s commitment to revitalising the area and growing the festival in years to come. This exchange emphasized the importance of fostering both cultural and economic development in the heart of Melbourne’s Greek community.
The Antipodes Festival stands as a proud reminder of the enduring contributions of the Greek community to Melbourne’s cultural fabric. As the weekend ended, the Antipodes Festival once again proved to be a resounding success, uniting people in a joyous celebration of Greek culture. From bewildering performances, thrilling competitions, and moving speeches, the festival not only highlighted the enduring spirit of Hellenism but also reinforced its deep connections to Melbourne’s multicultural landscape.
*The Antipodes Festival is proudly presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne.
