The Flavours of Greece festival, organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne, was inaugurated on Tuesday, July 13, with a wonderful evening dedicated to the hero Daskalogiannis, at the Greek restaurant Philhelline.
Consul General Emmanuel S. Kakavelakis, members of the Board of Directors of the Greek Community of Melbourne and dozens of people had the opportunity to learn about the history and actions of the hero of the Cretan Revolution of 1770, enjoy Cretan delicacies and listen to lively music.
This year, the Festival is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821, and its program includes special events in Greek restaurants in Melbourne, where every night is dedicated to the heroes of the Revolution.
The menu of the evening included rich Cretan dishes, prepared by Giannis and Souzi Reraki, such fava beans, grilled goat in the oven and many Cretan delicacies, accompanied by wonderful Greek wine.
Those who participated in this beautiful evening enjoyed live Cretan music and songs by Sifi Tsourdalakis, Paddy Montgomery and George Rerakis.
Various exhibits from Greece, the revolution and ancient Greece, curated by Giannis Rerakis, were presented at the popular restaurant.
Mr. Kakavelakis, who comes from Chania, referred in detail to the hero Ioannis Vlachos, known as Daskalogiannis, who was born in 1722 in Anopoli Sfakion, Crete. He was the leader and hero of the Cretan Revolution of 1770. Also speaking about Daskalogi was journalist and radio announcer Mrs. Rena Fragioudaki, who comes from Crete.
“Through the Festival we try to connect our culture and history with modern moments, with Greek cuisine and Greek music, and to promote them to a wider audience,” said the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis.
“For the 200th Anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution of 1821, our Community organised multiple events. This year the Festival ‘Flavours of Greece’ is dedicated to this Anniversary. With the cooperation of Greek restaurants in Melbourne, we organised special events dedicated to the heroes of the Greek Revolution.
“This is a special initiative that has found a great response both in the Greek community in Melbourne and in the wider Australian society.”
The next event of the Festival will take place at the restaurant ‘Mykonos’, where the heroine Manto Mavrogenous will be honoured.
For more information visit greekcentre.com.au and for booking trybooking: https://bit.ly/36Cy9P1.