The Greek Οrthodox community of St George in Brisbane, Queensland experienced a festive afternoon on Sunday, December 4 this year in the Greek Community Centre Hall (The Greek Club).
The choral group, Ellinikes Fones, together with the children’s choir of the Greek Οrthodox school of St George and the GOC choir Fones, presented their second concert in just six months since their establishment, closing the year in the best possible way.
The Christmas concert was dedicated to the ancient custom of the Greek carols and the celebration of the Twelve Days.
For the first time in the history of the community, people witnessed an artistic production and collaboration of all ages for a common purpose – to awaken memories in the older people and teaching the younger ones about traditions that tend to be forgotten year after year.
The protagonist of the evening was none other than the Christmas boat that came to us from Chios and proudly decorated the stage.
The organisers greeted their guests with traditional Christmas treats and welcomed them in a crowded room specially decorated for the occasion.
The event began with a narrative prologue, setting the historical framework of the concert. Straight after that, the younger carolers immediately addressed the audience with the familiar phrase, “Shall we sing?” (na ta poume?) and the room was filled with music.
For an hour-and-a-half, three choirs, two vocal ensembles and singers accompanied by exceptional musicians from the local community transported people to an imaginary place (plateia) where they witnessed a captivating concert of high level.
The Christmas boat took people away to different regions of the motherland with traditional melodies and songs from Thrace, Macedonia, Kalymnos, Chios, Corfu, Crete, Ikaria and the Dodecanese. The traditional Athenian carols and the carols of Asia Minor were not missing.
Furthermore, Greek arrangements of modern western Christmas songs such as Jingle Bells, Silent
Night and Little Drummer Boy, to name a few, were also heard.
The concert was successful and the warm applause rewarded the smiling carolers.
Greetings were given by His Grace Bishop Emilianos of Meloia and Thomas Drakopoulos from the cultural committee of St George.
The event was organised and coordinated by the Ellinikes Fones committee under the direction and artistic supervision of the conductor Christina Xydi and produced by her husband, George Lignos.
The evening ended with delicious meze and Greek wines from the fine gastronomic cuisine of Nostimo restaurant.
*Photos Credit: Dave Meikle
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