Parramatta overrun by thousands in celebration of Hellenism
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The annual Let’s Go Greek Festival did not disappoint as it continued to bring thousands of people to the heart of Western Sydney for a grand affair showcasing Hellenic culture.
The Festival, organised by the Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of St John the Forerunner, took over Parramatta’s George St all day on Sunday 8 August in its tenth anniversary edition with a wide offering of food/market stalls and entertainment.
The day saw numerous musical and dance performances, including one in the evening from Greek singer Konstantinos Pantelidis (who is in Australia for his first ever tour of the country).
The Festival also featured carnival rides, a fireworks display, a raffle in addition to its extensive array of offered cultural delights.
The official program commenced in the afternoon with numerous official guests speaking to mark the occasion.
The Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, once more reiterated the importance of preserving the Greek language, noting that three out of four Greek Australians were born in Australia.
He called for further initiative from people in their 40s and 50s to help drive the maintenance of the language.
“The language is being gradually lost and I see it every day at the Consulate. We need to do more and to offer more services,” Mallikourtis said in Greek, keeping in tone with the significance of his message.
“I know that we are always late with our appointments and that there is a great demand for a Greek passport but if you would like a Greek passport, you have to make the effort to speak the language.”
Steve Kamper, NSW Minister for Small Business, for Lands and Property, for Multiculturalism and for Sport, expressed his great enthusiasm in attending the event given his connection as a third generation Greek Australian.
“For more, it is very personal being here with, I believe is one of the best shows in town, the Let’s Go Greek Festival here in Parramatta,” said Kamper, who was also representing the NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
The NSW Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman, stated that the Festival is a “great celebration to everything Greek today”.
Kosmas Demetriou, President of the Local Parish and Community, reflected on the decade-long journey the Festival has been on, saying that it is “bigger than any one of us and a privilege to be a part of”.
“We appreciate the continued support from all levels of government over the last ten years and know that it will continue well into the future,” Demetriou said.
Other notable guests in attendance were Reverend Father Irenaeus Triantis, representing Archbishop of Australia Makarios, Federal Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton, representing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with a number of other state and local representatives and members from community organisations.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
