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.

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Latest News

Sydney Olympic FC members urge Life Members to mobilise ahead of March AGM

Life Members of Sydney Olympic FC have been urged to mobilise ahead of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for 24 March 2026.

150,000 expected as Antipodes Festival returns to transform Melbourne’s CBD

More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the 38th Antipodes Festival on Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street.

Federal Court finds Greek Flash News publisher defamed Archbishop Makarios

The Federal Court has awarded $300,000 in damages to Archbishop Makarios after finding online articles defamatory.

Sydney Comedy Festival launches into its 21st year with strong Greek lineup

The Sydney Comedy Festival officially launched its 2026 program on Thursday night at Darling Quarter Theatre, marking the 21st year of the cultural institution...

Cumberland Cr Steve Christou leads revolt against Indigenous ward renaming motion

Councillor Steve Christou has led the charge against a proposal to investigate renaming Cumberland Council’s wards with Indigenous titles.

You May Also Like

From homelessness to hope: $178,000 raised for St Elesa Food Initiative

More than 300 guests gathered at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney for the St Elesa Food Initiative Fundraising Dinner.

Varoufakis accuses Greek government of authoritarianism

Former Greek Finance Minister, Yanis Varoufakis, has accused the government of authoritarianism over its crackdown on young people gathering in squares.

Largest collection of Indigenous Australian art to go on display in Cyprus

Australia and Cyprus celebrate 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relations with an exhibition of Indigenous Australian art in Cyprus.