Melbourne’s Cretan spirit fills annual dance to mark island’s union with Greece (photos)
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
With strong attendance, a warm atmosphere and boundless Cretan energy, the annual dance of the Pancretan Union of Melbourne took place on Saturday, dedicated this year to the anniversary of the historic union of Crete with Greece.
The event was held at the Cretan Village, which was filled with second- and third-generation Cretans, friends of the association and members of the wider Greek community who gathered to honour the anniversary and celebrate Cretan tradition.
The evening was marked by the presence and performances of acclaimed artists Vangelis Kimionis, Klearhos Manolioudis and Michalis Lymakis, who travelled from Crete especially for the Union’s dance. The sounds of the lyra and laouto kept the crowd on the dance floor late into the night, creating the feel of an authentic Cretan celebration.
Dance groups added a special touch to the event, presenting well-rehearsed performances that earned warm applause.
Honouring a historic day
For decades, the annual Pancretan dance has been a key gathering for the Greek community and an opportunity to remember one of the most significant moments in modern Greek history:
the union of Crete with Greece on 1 December 1913.
A month earlier, on 1 November 1913, Sultan Mehmed V had renounced all sovereign rights over the island. After centuries of struggle, sacrifice and uprisings, Crete finally achieved its historic vindication.
The official ceremony took place in sunlit Chania in the presence of King Constantine and Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos. Newspaper Estia at the time described a city draped in flags, flooded with crowds and filled with deep emotion.
Events culminated just before midday when two elderly fighters, Anagnostis Mandakas, 94, and Chatzimichalis Yiannaris, 88, raised the Greek flag at the Firkas Fortress. At the same moment, 101 cannon shots from Greek navy ships announced across the city the end of a long era of struggle.
From then until today, Crete continues to symbolise resilience, freedom and the unwavering spirit of Hellenism. And on the other side of the world, in Melbourne, the Greek community keeps this legacy alive – through dance, music, history and a deep love for the homeland.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
