The Greek Festival of Sydney did its annual duty of lighting up Darling Harbour as it delivered yet another splendid weekend spectacular enjoyed by thousands.
The Greek Fest took over Sydney this past weekend with numerous stalls, dance groups, music, and fun competitions and activities all providing endless entertainment and cheer for the many guests from all sorts of cultural backgrounds.
The weekend concluded in grand fashion as Greek singer Rena Morfi delivered a thrilling concert just one day after her performance at the Antipodes Festival in Melbourne, capping off the hearty Hellenic celebration.
The Greek Fest attracted many special guests and speakers for the official program, which began with a smoking ceremony initiated by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Among the speakers were the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis, Archbishop Makarios, Ioannis Mallikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Nikos Varellas, Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, NSW Minister Steve Kamper (representing NSW Premier Chris Minns), MP Matt Thistlethwaite (representing the Federal Government), Federal MP David Coleman, NSW MP Mark Coure, Deputy Lord Mayor of City of Sydney Council Zann Maxwell, Melos Sulicich (CEO of Bank of Sydney) and Festival Chair Nia Karteris.
All spoke warmly on the festival which has become a staple of Sydney’s cultural calendar over the decades.
The two-day celebration marks the commencement of a stacked Festival program for 2025 filled with over 25 events that will take place over the next three months.
Karteris had expressed her excitement to Neos Kosmos ahead of the Greek Fest for this year’s initiatives.
“Every event excites me as it allows all of us to be immersed with highly impressive Greek Australians,” she said.
The Festival continues from as early as this week with the opening of the photographic exhibition ‘Modern ΑΘens in the backdrop of Antiquity’ on Tuesday (25 February).
“We have an impressive three months filled with amazing Greek culture throughout Sydney that we cannot wait to showcase,” Karteris said while adding:
“I sincerely want to thank all the artists involved in this year’s festival (without them there would not be a festival), the Board of Directors of the GOC, the organising committee, staff and importantly the sponsors and media.”
Karteris noted that the Festival’s success is the result of the help of numerous individuals and stakeholders.
“I am grateful to the NSW Government, presenting partner Bank of Sydney, the sponsors, local councils, the Community’s Board of Directors, staff, media, as well as all the volunteers who make this all possible.”
