Acclaimed Greek singer and santouri virtuoso Areti Ketime will travel to Australia this October to perform at the third annual Zeibekiko Festival Australia, set to take place from 3 to 12 October 2025 across Sydney and Melbourne.
Presented by Ventouris Productions, the festival returns with an expanded program celebrating the emotional and cultural significance of zeibekiko through music, dance, storytelling and community connection.
Festival Director Sophia Ventouris said the event continues to grow in both size and spirit.
“Zeibekiko isn’t just a dance. It’s memory, emotion, survival and identity – and we want everyone to feel part of it,” she told The Greek Herald.
Ketime, widely regarded for her unique voice and deep connection to Greek musical tradition, will perform in two major concerts and other events during her ten-day stay in Australia. She will be joined by renowned violinist Dimitris Stefopoulos.
Discovered by George Dalaras at a young age, Ketime gained international acclaim after performing at the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Her repertoire draws from Smyrneika and the broader rembetiko tradition, with recent recordings reinterpreting songs of historical and cultural depth.
The Zeibekiko Festival will open on Friday, October 3 at the Greek Community Club in Sydney. The Cretan Music Group under the direction of Michael Platyrrahos will be presenting “Tabaxaniotika Tragoudia,” considered the Cretan rembetika. There will also be a “Bouzoukia Spectacular” featuring 20 bouzouki performers, including Tassos Lambrou and students from the Tassos Bouzouki School. Ketime is scheduled to make a special appearance on the night.
In Melbourne, Ketime will perform at the Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, October 5 at 7:00pm. Sydney audiences can attend her headline concert at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL on Friday, October 10 at 8:00pm.
Festival organisers encourage audiences to check the official website for full program details and bookings.
Event Details:
Melbourne
- Date: Sunday, 5 October 2025
- Time: 7:00pm
- Venue: Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar Performing Arts Centre, 123 Marshall St, Ivanhoe
- Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1439787
Sydney
- Date: Friday, 10 October 2025
- Time: 8:00pm
- Venue: Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, 20–26 Canterbury Rd, Hurlstone Park
- Bookings: www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1439885
All ticketing and program information is available via the official festival website: www.zeibekikofestivalaustralia.com.au. The Greek Herald is proud to be a media partner for this event.
