The Pancretan Association of Melbourne held their annual blessing and Vasilopita cutting for 2021 on Saturday, January 30 and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Just under 100 attendees were treated to Greek food and Cretan music from local Melbourne musicians, Sifis Tsourdalakis, George Sevastakis, Tony Iliou and Paddy Montgomery.
This was followed by the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita by His Grace Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis, together with the new Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
“Mr Kakavelakis gave a small speech introducing himself to our community, as he has only recently come out of quarantine. He is a lovely human being and I think Melbourne is very honoured to have such a person here,” Mr Emmanuel Starakis, President of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, tells The Greek Herald.
Following the address of the new Consul, attendees were treated to a special surprise visit from popular Greek tennis player, Michalis Pervolarakis, who is currently in the country for the Australian Open.
READ MORE: “We are here to achieve victory,” says Greek tennis player Michalis Pervolarakis.
The young children in attendance were particularly excited to meet Pervolarakis and take pictures with the tennis player, who was recently filmed performing the traditional Cretan dance, ‘Maleviziotis,’ to keep his spirits high during lockdown.
READ MORE: Australian Open Greek players are dancing their way through quarantine.
“This event was my first as President and it was great. It was nice to see everyone together and enjoying themselves,” Mr Starakis says.
