Darwin GleNTi returns with a bang as thousands enjoy Greek food and dancing

·

Thousands poured into the Darwin Esplanade over the weekend to get their filling of yiros, baklava and Mythos beer as the Darwin GleNTi returned with a bang.

The festival, which was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is organised annually by the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia (GOCNA) and this year it marked 200 years of the Greek Revolution.

Local visitors and interstate travellers were definitely not disappointed as they enjoyed the best Greek food and drinks Darwin has to offer and at times were even served by the Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, himself, as well as his entire Cabinet.

“Everyone was impressed to see Mr Gunner behind the bar taking orders and pulling drinks. There’s no resting or shaking hands. He, and other members of the Cabinet, did exactly what other volunteers did,” Nicholas Poniris, President of GOCNA, tells The Greek Herald.

From there, attendees were also entertained by a number of Greek dancing groups, and a special ‘Greek Agora’ stall was set up for the groups to raise much needed funds to purchase the Greek costumes they use for their special dance routines.

READ MORE: Official launch of the Darwin GleNTi festival held at NT Parliament House.

“I first got my feet on the GleNTi dance floor when I was seven in 2001. I performed at the GleNTi for most of my life and then began to get involved in other ways. Every year it grows and becomes more popular,” Georgia Politis, who was an attendee and the official photographer of the GleNTi, tells The Greek Herald.

“To think twenty years ago there was just a crane holding up some lights without many tents to what it is now, is amazing.”

Whilst people were eating, mingling and enjoying themselves, they were also serenaded by the beautiful voice of Martina, as well as the music of the All Star GleNTi Band and later, international Greek singer, Dimitris Basis.

Later in the day, players from the Hellenic Football Club were also officially handed their trophy after they won against Darwin Olympic on Wednesday in the GleNTi Cup. The crowd cheered as the young men collected their well-deserved prize.

READ MORE: Hellenic AC crowned the winners of Darwin’s inaugural GleNTi Cup.

“The GleNTi lived up to the expectations of what we knew would happen. Interstate travellers were even saying that next year they’ll postpone their trip to Greece by a week so they can attend. There’s more pressure now,” Mr Poniris concludes.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Canterbury resident Peter Katholos pays to mow overgrown lawn amid government inaction

Homeowners in Canterbury-Bankstown are taking action against overgrown grass along public roads, as councils fail to address the issue.

Double-header delight: St George Saints march away with two straight wins

St George Saints Men's White were out for redemption in round 2 of the Basketball NSW Men's Waratah League.

Magnis Energy sells US battery factory as chairman Frank Poullas faces legal scrutiny

Magnis Energy, once a promising ASX-listed energy company, has sold its flagship American lithium-ion battery factory.

Sydney hairdresser Paris Coudounellis pleads guilty to AVO breach

A Phillip Bay hairdresser, Paris Coudounellis, pleaded guilty in Waverley Local Court on Monday to breaching an apprehended violence order.

Greece moves to ban surrogacy for same-sex couples with new legislation

Giorgos Floridis has announced a new legislative provision prohibiting homosexual men and single men from having children through surrogacy.

You May Also Like

Jake Anastas identified as third pilot killed in mid-air collision in Sydney’s south-west

Jake Anastas, 29, has been identified as the third pilot killed in a mid-air plane crash in Sydney's south-west on Saturday, October 26.

Greek Evzones dressed in Pontic costume honour victims of genocide in Athens

Hundreds of people gathered in Athens’ Syntagma Square on Wednesday to mark Greek Pontian Genocide Remembrance Day.

“It’s a dream”: Youngest director of Greek archeological site Tiziana D’Angelo says of new role

The ancient Greek city of Paestum is on the Italian south-west coast, and it is hardly a sight you could miss.