Greek Ambassador’s maiden visit to South Australia’s Greek Community strengthens ties
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, marked his first trip to South Australia with a visit to the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) last Saturday.
Venizelos, accompanied by his wife Lara Tikaidi and the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, George Psiachas, were welcomed by members of the GOCSA’s board.
He was briefed on the Community’s services and initiatives, given a tour of the offices and Olympic Hall, and shown the archive room where the documents and records extend back to the 1900s.
The diplomat engaged in discussion with GOCSA’s Greek Schools Coordinator, Himo Tsakalos, and viewed an exhibition of students’ artwork ahead of the Annual Schools Dance held on the same night.
Hellas Lucas, the coordinator of GOCSA’s dance academy and head of the cultural committee, showed the diplomat a substantial collection of traditional folk costumes.
Venizelos spoke briefly about the newfound bonhomie between GOCSA with the Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia after the visit by Archbishop Makarios in November 2023.
GOCSA President Peter Gardiakos informed the Ambassador that the Administrative Council continues to work towards a common goal of “bridging the divide and strengthening our community”.
“I was impressed by the warm welcome, the organisation, and the Community’s work in binding together the Greeks of South Australia. Above all, I would like to see unity [between GOCSA and the Archdiocese], and I hope this will happen soon,” Ambassador Venizelos said in a press release.
GOCSA congratulated the outgoing Consul General, who has served in his post for the last five and a half years, and wished him the best in his next post in Kenya.
“On the occasion of the Ambassador’s visit to GOCSA’s headquarters, it was also an opportunity for me to farewell the friends of the Community,” Psiachas said.
“The Community has done an excellent job in preserving the language, the national heritage and the Greek spirit, and I am proud of them. I wish them well in the future.”
Gardiakos presented the Ambassador and his spouse with a bottle of South Australian wine and a bouquet of roses.
Ambassador Venizelos signed and wrote a message in the Community’s official visitors book to mark his maiden visit.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
