Cypriot community comes together for Melbourne’s Halloumi Festival

·

The Halloumi Festival returned to Melbourne, Victoria this weekend, bringing once more the Cypriot community together. The festival had a bit of everything from dances to traditional songs, loukoumades and of course, a lot of halloumi.

The festival was organised by the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria.

Cypriots of all ages arrived at Brunswick for the two-day event and could be seen tasting the food and celebrating their culture with excitement.

A Cypriot family dancing with traditional songs

“This event is pleasant because you can meet up with old friends you haven’t seen all year,” one group of old Cypriot migrants to Australia told The Greek Herald at the festival.

Cypriot migrants

“There are many people that come here for the special Cyprus dishes.”

Nearby stood Aspasia and Ilias, a couple that came to Australia from Cyprus about 60 years ago. They said they were attending a community event for the first time in years and were impressed.

Pegasus dancing academy

On the day, there were halloumi eating competitions, an impressive cooking demonstration of how to make halloumi, dances by the Pegasus Dance Academy and live music from Aetos band.

Making loukoumades

During the official speeches, the President of the Cyprus Community, Theo Theophanous, spoke to the public and emphasised the Cypriot origin of halloumi.

“We want everyone who goes to a café and orders halloumi to know that it is from Cyprus,” Mr Theophanous said.

In his speech, Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta said: “This is a holy moment to be again all together in one place to celebrate our culture and our traditions.”

Halloumi

The Deputy Head of Mission at the Cyprus High Commission in Australia, Stavros Nicolaou, was also present at the festival and said: “Halloumi is the main element of our culture, the element that brings us together. It expresses the Cypriot soul and brings together the Cypriot family.”

Dimitris Tsilikis, who represented the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, said that “when halloumi is not there on the food table, it is like water is out of home.”

Federal Labor MP, Peter Khalil, promised to bring some halloumi to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when he visited Canberra next and highlighted the Cypriot community’s success story.

“You have all here – your parents, your grandparents – built something very special in this country,” Mr Khalil said.

Peter Khalil, Stavros Nicolaou, Theo Theophanous

The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis OAM, also spoke on the day and said he would work with Mr Theophanous to bring to Australia the Cypriot singer and politician, Michalis Chatzigiannis. Mr Papastergiadis also promised that the Apollon football club will take part in next year’s Greek Community Cup.

Dimitris Tsilikis, Bill Papastergiadis, Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta

“We are and will always be by your side,” he concluded.

All photos copyright: The Greek Herald / Giorgos Psomiadis

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Bouzouki Night 2025: A celebration of youth, culture and Hellenic pride in the Capital

It was a night of kefi in Canberra as 300 guests filled the Hellenic Club of Canberra for the Hellenic Youth Club’s Bouzouki Night 2025.

Cretan and Kalymnian youth in Sydney unite for a night of dance, music and kefi

The spirit of Greece came alive in Sydney as the Cretan Youth Association of Sydney and the Kalymnian Youth Society of NSW hosted Xoro.

Greek language attainment award, from yiayia’s kitchen to the classroom

The Greek Centre in Melbourne filled with pride and applause on Saturday, October 18 as the GCM honoured students of all ages.

Once a year, the future gathers at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial

Once a year, on an October spring morning, the Australian Hellenic War Memorial (AHWM) fills with the laughter of children.

Parliament House to host inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum

The Embassy of Greece in Australia will present the inaugural Women of the Greek Diaspora Forum, an exciting event.

You May Also Like

Heidelberg United stun A-League giants Wellington Phoenix in Australia Cup rout

Heidelberg United earned their place in the Semi-Finals of the 2025 Australia Cup, defeating Wellington Phoenix 4-0 on Tuesday night.

Bulldogs and Jenny Souris Foundation unite for special fundraising round

Bulldogs are teaming up with the Jenny Souris Foundation for a special fundraising initiative at their clash against the Cronulla Sharks.

Aaron Crinis brings California to a refreshed Bondi Pavillion with new venue

Aaron Crinis is bringing the Californian summer to Bondi Pavillion with the recent launch of his new restaurant, Glory Days.