Albanese’s surprise visit to Lonsdale Street for the “Antipodes” Festival
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese at the Greek Festival Antipodes. The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis, welcomed the PM and his partner and gave them some symbolic gifts.
“In this case, the saying “I fear the Danaans [Greeks], even those bearing gifts” does not apply,” Papastergiadis said, adding that the gifts will bring luck and joy to the Prime Minister and his wife.
Albanese snuck out of a a wedding where that he was the best man to attend the Festival.
“No one can say ‘no’ to Papastergiadis,” said an upbeat prime minister, “So, I responded to his invitation and stole time and came,” the prime minister said.
“Melbourne is the largest Greek city in the world, outside of Greece,” Albanese added.
“This street, this corner, has made history. I am emotionally attached to the area since I used to come here when I was younger and get food from the Stalactites.
The Prime Minister praised the Greek community and the Festival and made no secret of his love.
The Antipodes Festival, a pillar of the Greek community, celebrated its 36th Festival this weekend, February 25 and 26, on Lonsdale Street, offering another unforgettable experience full of music, dance, and culinary delights.
Papastergiadis told Neos Kosmos that the Victorian Government declared the Antipodes Festival a Tier 1 event – that is, a significant event held in the State – placing it on the same level as the Melbourne Cup, the AFL Grand Final Day and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“A comprehensive study carried out at the University of Melbourne showed that it is one of those festivals that brings interstate and regional tourists into the heart of Melbourne to be part of the Festival.
“It is part of cosmopolitan Melbourne, a pillar of multicultural Melbourne it transcends beyond, and as that study reveals, a significant proportion of the people attending are of non-Greek background.”
Leonidas Vlahakis, the President of the Festival, said: “It is the Greek festival of Melbourne, not only of our community – of which we are, of course, delighted and proud – but what strikes us is that every year, more people who are not Greek come.”
“It is certainly a sight to see many non-Greek children aged five to seven years old dancing and singing or to watch a woman of 70 years old still performing. I am always touched when I see grandmothers and grandfathers who visit town once a year to watch their grandchild dance.”
Vlahakis described this year’s Festival as “the biggest event” ever organised, including 90 booths, cooking demonstrations, 600 participants, and three stages offering 90 hours of entertainment.
Reflecting on how much the Antipodes Festival has evolved over the years, Vlahakis expressed his delight that while the Festival’s organising team once addressed the community, now the opposite is the case.
“At one time, we used to reach out to the community and say, ‘Who can we invite? ‘” Now, the interest comes from the community.
As much as the Festival is a focus for artists, community groups and more, it is also a magnet for politicians.
Andrew Giles, the Commonwealth Minister for Multicultural Affairs, said he was happy “to show Antipodes to the prime minister” earlier today.
“The prime minister lives and represents a Greek community of Sydney suburb of Marrickville, but I was proud to show the real home, the of the Greek community.”
“Australia’s modern story is about multiculturalism, and this event symbolises it.
“It is an opportunity for the Greek community to celebrate various Greek cultures in Australia and promote them to other cultures. That’s important because this is an event for Greeks and all Australians.
Giles minister joked that by “virtue of living in Melbourne, I, like all of us, am Greek.”
Later, the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen, the Leader of the Opposition, and many others spoke on the main stage.
He added that this year’s Festival encompasses a variety of events, including live Greek music, food, theatre and dance, with over 600 artists and 90 stalls.
Papastergiadis said the public embraces and supports the Festival, with over 120,000 people expected to visit Melbourne and the Festival this weekend.
We are the only organisation to ‘close’ two city blocks in the city centre for a whole weekend,” Papastergiadis concluded.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
