By Pamela Rontziokos.
Hundreds of people indulged in fruity wines and feasted on traditional Cypriot food at the Cyprus Community Club in the Sydney suburb of Stanmore this weekend during the Cypriot Food and Wine Festival.
The festival was officially opened on Friday, November 25 with a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, and the President of the Cypriot Community of New South Wales, Andrew Costa.
Miloway Earlwood Wines also showcased a wide variety of Cypriot wines on the night to everyone in attendance.
On Sunday, November 27, the festival continued with dozens of Cypriot food stalls, from fresh BBQ octopus to Cypriot koupes.
The passion for wine also echoed across the festival, with wine barrels open for the public to serve themselves and enjoy.
Festival-goers visited stalls selling icons, jewellery, pottery and information about the Cypriot language and island.
“There are queues at every store, the seats are full. We are ecstatic. It is a fantastic turnout,” Mr Costa told The Greek Herald.
Formal proceedings on the day started with a virtual welcome by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet showing their support to the Cyprus Community.
The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; the Mayor of Inner West Council, Darcy Byrne; Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP; and Mr Costa also gave warm speeches in recognition of the Cypriot culture.
In his speech, Mr Mallikourtis encouraged everyone to enjoy the day and said “for me, it’s like feeling at home.”
As the crowd swelled, Mayor Byrne spoke about the links between the Australian and Cypriot communities.
“No one has done more to contribute to the inner west of Sydney than the Greek and Cypriot communities – and that history, the heroic story of migration that has to be told for generations to come,” Mayor Byrne said.
Ms Leong also reflected on Australian multiculturalism and said cultural events such as the Cypriot Food and Wine Festival are “beyond just the food and wine, but how we integrate and respect the need to address issues of racism and discrimination.”
At the conclusion of these formal speeches, many sipped on wine as they watched dancing groups of all ages perform Cypriot dances.
Young children also pranced around the event in traditional Cypriot dress and 12-year-old Ariana Sozou told The Greek Herald: “I just love dancing my cultural dances and with everybody I love.”
