The Laconian Federation of NSW brought the spirit of tradition and pride in youth together on Sunday, June 15, with a special event held at the Zarax Cultural Centre in Enfield, Sydney.
Under the banner of ‘the passion of tradition’ and ‘the future of our youth,’ the Federation celebrated both cultural heritage and educational achievement.
Hosted as part of the annual Leonidia Festival, the evening drew more than 150 guests and dignitaries to witness the unveiling of traditional male and female costumes from Mani, Greece, alongside an award ceremony honouring students of Laconian heritage from the 2024 HSC cohort.
Emceed by Chris Apostolakos, the event opened with a warm welcome by Federation President Linda Legas, followed by acknowledgements of official guests including Yannis Mallikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney; Kyriakos Kyriakakos, Defence Attaché of Greece in Canberra; and Christine Manolakos, President of OEEGA NSW. Prominent members of the arts like Angela Konstantinopoulou and media were also in attendance.
A journey through Mani’s living heritage:
The first major highlight of the event was the presentation of traditional Maniatiki costumes brought directly from Greece by the Federation.
Leading this journey through cultural memory was Vassilis Aligiannis, who walked guests through the history and symbolism of each garment.
He was joined by Peter Kouvelis, who presented a stunning display of handmade Maniatiki rugs and woven runners, created using traditional weaving techniques still preserved by artisans.
Continuing the cultural thread, Anastasia Diasakou Anastasiadis gave an evocative presentation on the miroloi — the traditional mourning laments of Mani — offering historical context before delivering a moving live rendition.
Honouring tomorrow’s leaders:
The event’s second major component was dedicated to recognising the academic accomplishments of Laconian youth.
Consul General Mr Mallikourtis personally presented certificates and congratulatory gifts to students of Laconian descent who graduated from high school in 2024. The students were Alec Oldham, Thomas Peters, Ethan Bunch, and Mary Glekas.
The presentation was met with enthusiastic applause, as community members celebrated the achievements of the next generation and their continued connection to their Hellenic heritage.
Dance, applause and refreshments:
Closing the event was a spirited dance performance by the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney dance group, led by Mr Aligiannis.
The audience responded with energy and admiration, bringing the evening to a joyous conclusion. Guests then enjoyed complimentary refreshments and mingled among community members and dignitaries.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of sustaining tradition while embracing and empowering the future — a vision that the Laconian Federation continues to champion.
*Photos supplied by William Vassilikopoulos.
