With perfect Spring weather, thousands of people from all over Sydney gathered in Burwood to enjoy Greek dancing performances, live Greek music, food trucks, market stalls, the new ‘Baraki on Burleigh’ pop-up bar, and the famous Greek hospitality, at the annual Greek Street Fair Burwood last Sunday, November 10.
“This popular event is organised to celebrate and share the Greek cultural heritage and spirit with the community,” said Christina Efthymiades AM, Voluntary Event Director Greek Street Fair Burwood and Board Secretary of The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District.
“Since the establishment of our Parish and Community in Burwood in 1970, we have always organised festivals of this type in different forms and scales, but Greek Street Fair Burwood is particularly special because of the way it has been embraced by the entire Sydney community, with people of all ages and cultural heritages coming along to join in the fun.
“Burwood Council’s incredible financial contribution, and the provision of organisational support from its staff, is so gratefully appreciated and has helped the event to grow even bigger each year.”
Started in 2012, Greek Street Fair Burwood is a nod to the centuries-old tradition of the outdoor Greek ‘panigiri’ – cultural festivals which take place throughout Greece to commemorate the feast day of the patron saint of each local village. There is always music, festive dancing, delicious food and a great spirit of togetherness.
In the spirit of that tradition, Greek Street Fair Burwood always takes place on the Sunday immediately after the Feast Day of Saint Nectarios, which is commemorated throughout the world each year on November 9.
“Burwood Council prides itself on the diversity of our local area and our focus on arts, culture and community events that people of all ages and walks of life can embrace. We are so proud to be the co-presenter and major sponsor of Greek Street Fair Burwood – a wonderful celebration of the Greek culture and a great opportunity to demonstrate what makes the Greek heritage so special,” said Cr John Faker, Mayor of Burwood.
The Official Opening included messages of welcome and congratulations from:
- His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
- Penelopy Kioussis, President, The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District Saint Nectarios.
- Cr John Faker, Mayor of Burwood.
- The Hon Stephen Kamper MP, Minister for Small Business, Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, and Sport.
- Sally Sitou MP, Member for Reid.
- Jason Yat-Sen LI MP, Member for Strathfield.
- Yannis Mallikourtis, Consul General for Greece in Sydney.
The event also included performances from Paradise Band, with the community dancing the afternoon away, as well as dancing performances from seven different Greek dancing groups, including Greek Dance Rhythms, the local dance group of the Parish and Community.
In addition to the live Greek music and dancing performances, the event also included activities for children, amusement rides, competitions, food trucks, market stalls, prizes to be won, and appearances from Mitsos the Greek Street Fair Donkey.
For the first time, the event featured a new pop-up bar ‘Baraki On Burleigh,’ with local beer from Akasha Brewing Company, Greek wine, Greek food, Greek coffee, entertainment and seating.
The community took part in two guided tours of St Nectarios’ heritage-listed church, built in 1879 by the Methodists and purchased by the local Greek community in 1970 and converted to a Greek Orthodox church. Led by Parish Priest Rev Father George Liangas, tours of the church included a history of the sandstone, gothic style building, information about the church’s Patron Saint Nectarios and the history of The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District.
During the Fair, Burwood Council also unveiled three vibrant pop-up murals by talented artists Georgia Draws A House, Nico Nicoson and Pilar Basa – painted live throughout the day in Ford Lane by the artists, and who were watched in awe by the community.
The event concluded with the traditional volunteer dance and photo – celebrating the Greek Street Fair Burwood volunteers who had been working hard all week and from 5am on the day.
Performances throughout the day included:
- Paradise Band
- Greek Dance Rhythms
- Sydney Sizmos
- The Cyprus Community of NSW Dancers
- Sophia Ventouris School of Greek Dance
- The Kalymnian Association of NSW Dancers
- Pontoxeniteas NSW Dancers
- Kimata Dance School
- All Saints Grammar School students – singers and musicians
The 11th Greek Street Fair Burwood was presented by The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District and Burwood Council, with support from Multicultural NSW.
The Greek Food Odyssey Raffle saw one lucky winner take away $1,300 worth of vouchers kindly donated by Sydney’s favourite restaurants – $250 Dedes Waterfront Group, $250 Jaaks Restaurant and Bar, $250 Sofia on Cleveland, $250 Diethnes Greek Restaurant, $250 Aegean 2.0 and $50 Organica.
Keep up to date with Greek Street Fair Burwood news via Facebook @greekstreetfairburwood
Enquiries: greekstreetfair@stnectariosburwood.com.au or 0417 207 107.
