Fairfield will come alive with Greek music, dance, and food this Sunday, November 16, as the inaugural Philhellenika Festival takes over. Organisers hope the event will become an annual celebration of the area’s thriving Greek community.
The idea was sparked by Greek Australian entrepreneur John Ghionis, owner of the popular taverna Spitaki, who told Neos Kosmos that “the heart of Fairfield has been beating Greek for years.”
“I wanted to highlight the Greeks of the north,” Ghionis said. ”
We used to talk about Lonsdale Street as little Greece, now we all talk about Oakleigh — but Fairfield also has a strong Greek identity that deserves attention.”
Ghionis, worked with the Fairfield Traders Association to bring the festival to life, and said the aim was to create a celebration that “brings together people of all ages and backgrounds — a true festival of Greek spirit in Fairfield.”
He recalled that about two decades ago, Fairfield hosted a lively street festival. “It wasn’t a Greek festival, but it became very popular. Back then, I made my corner of Station Street as Greek as possible — I even owned Rooster Bar, and across the road there was another Greek restaurant. It was a great atmosphere.”
The inspiration to revive the festival came when Ghionis noticed a small Halloween block party behind Biviano & Sons. “I thought, let’s make it Greek — and that’s how it all began.”
Supported by local traders, Philhellenika will feature live music, traditional dance, Greek food, and even old-school wrestling.
“The car park will be transformed into “a little village — we’ve got one of everything: skewers, bougatsa, coffee, drinks, sweets, and much more.”
Local favourites like Niko’s Cakes will be among the food stalls, while dance groups from the Cretan Brotherhood, Greek Community of Melbourne, and Pontian community will perform throughout the day. Musical acts include Demotika featuring Paddy Montgomery (violin, bouzouki), Tony Iliou (laouto), Nikos Kapralos (guitar), Arthur Kostarakis (clarinet), and John Kostarakis (percussion). Omados’ lineup includes Joseph Tsombanopoulos (gaida, vocals), Stav Thomopoulos (vocals), George Athanasakos (clarinet, kaval), and George Kiriakidis (accordion).
Spitaki’s own singers will also take to the stage, including Dimitri Kavvadas, Yiani and Panayiota performing laika, Theo Marantis on keyboards, and Steve Pavlidis on bouzouki.
Adding to the excitement, 20 students from Nestoras Greek College in Thornbury will perform in an orchestra. “Twenty young people playing Greek instruments and music — it’s going to be amazing,” said Ghionis.
“There will also be two young and amazing DJs, Romza and Thomas Nico. Romza is just 18 and he’s tearing up the scene mixing Zembekika with dance and he’s got his own viral remixes, originals and bass-heavy sets selling out clubs across Australia.”
At noon, Ghionis will host a live demonstration on cooking a whole lamb on the spit.
One of the more unusual features of the festival will be a stage dedicated to wrestling — a nostalgic nod to the days when Greek Australians packed Festival Hall every Sunday to watch heroes like Spiros Arion.
“Why not?” laughed Ghionis. “Some of my fondest memories of my father are of us watching wrestling together. Every Greek in Melbourne was watching back then.”
He even hinted that he might step into the ring himself — and threw down a challenge to Neos Kosmos publisher Chris Gogos.
“I think Chris would be amazing, and I’m happy to challenge him,” Ghionis joked.
The Neos Kosmos newsroom agrees — they’d love to see their publisher take on the Spitaki owner.
