The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community — a testament to the enduring legacy of Greek heritage in South Australia. Attendees gathered in pride, united by the traditions that continue to define generations of Hellenes in Adelaide.
In his address, Peter Ppiros, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA), reflected on the organisation’s 95-year history and its vital role in preserving Greek identity in the diaspora.
“GOCSA was established 95 years ago in 1930, as the first Adelaide community to accommodate and cater for the needs of the then emerging Greek migrant community in South Australia…” Mr Ppiros said.
“Those services include home care services, 120 bed aged care homes… and cultural events and activities such as the Odyssey and the Greek film festival, Greek afternoon schools for partners of students, and many services helping to maintain their Hellenic customs and traditions.”
Among the distinguished guests was The Hon. Olivia Savvas MP, Member for Newland, representing the SA Premier, The Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, The Hon. Zoe Bettison MP.
In her remarks, Ms Savvas lauded the festival as a shining example of multicultural harmony and a celebration of Greek identity in the heart of SA.
“I’ve recently come back from Greece, I was incredibly lucky to spend some time there this year, and…what it did was remind me, yet again, how important it to celebrate our Hellenism: Our food, our menu, our culture, and our dance,” Ms Savvas said.
“I think it’s incredibly important that we do that through events like this one, and for almost 20 years, GOCSA has done exactly that – showcasing the beauty and richness of Hellenic history, language, culture and history…
“The Odyssey Greek Festival is truly one of the highlights of South Australia’s multicultural calendar, and continues to set the benchmark inclusive, high quality community events that celebrate cultural diversity.”
Adding his voice to the tributes, The Hon. Steve Georganas MP, Federal Member for Adelaide, spoke with emotion about the community’s pioneers whose efforts laid the foundations for the vibrant Hellenic presence seen today.
“If we today feel connected to our Greekness, it’s because of those people that had the foresight when they first came here, whether it was 100 years ago, 60 years ago, 50 years ago, 40 years ago, to lay down the foundations that make us Greek today,” Mr Georganas said.
“But having said that, today, we live in the present, and we see the great activities of our community, and we see the great activities in this festival that’s taking place, and it is incredible…”
Cr Mary Couros, Councillor of the City of Adelaide, representing the Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, added a literary and emotional note, invoking the symbolism of Homer’s Odyssey to describe the migrant experience.
“The Odyssey is a story of exile, courage, resilience and discovery and although written 2,000 years ago, the words of Homer are reflective of the journey of the Greek community that came to Australia. The festival is not only to celebrate a journey made by friends and family, but also to the timeless beauty of the Hellenic culture, which survived by the people here today,” Cr Couros said.
Between speeches, the night pulsed with energy. The GOCSA Dance Academy took the stage with traditional Greek dances, followed by live music that had guests clapping and singing along. Art, too, had its moment in the spotlight, with Arianna Souto named winner of the Art Prize, receiving a $1000 award for her creative contribution.
The evening’s historical highlight came with the unveiling of two busts of George Tramountanas (George North) — the first Greek migrant to South Australia, who arrived in 1842. The sculptures were revealed jointly by Mr Ppiros and Ray North, Tramountanas’ descendant.
Mr North spoke with heartfelt emotion, telling The Greek Herald that it was an honour to attend the unveiling and that he had been encouraged to reconnect and discover more of the Greek side of his ancestral culture.
As the night drew to a close, guests enjoyed refreshments while the band performed a final medley of Greek songs, filling the room with melodies that echoed across generations.
The 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival opening was more than a celebration — it was a reaffirmation of Hellenic endurance and the continued vitality of Greek culture in South Australia.
Through art, history, and community spirit, the Odyssey festival is sure to again prove that the Greek story in Australia is not confined to the past, but alive in the hearts of all who gather to celebrate.
*All photos copyright Sophia Zavlagkas and Chloe Katopodis
