Norwood Greek Festival – Media Release

The Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of Prophet Elias, Norwood and Eastern Suburbs is to hold a Greek Cultural Festival on Saturday 26 February 2011 on its grounds situated at 87 Beulah Road, Norwood, commencing at 5:30pm and concluding at 10:30pm.

This Community event aims to build upon the links that the Community and Parish has formed as part of the local community for over fifty years. It will also bring to fruition the dream of former Premier and Member for Norwood, Don Dunstan QC. At the establishment of the Community and Parish in 1959, Mr Dunstan in his speech stated that the Greek people were part of multicultural Norwood and he looked forward to the day when a “Panegyri” would be held in Norwood which promoted Greek culture through faith, music, song, dance and food and which would at the same time enhance our identity as Australians.

The aim of the festival or panegyri is to share with the Norwood and Eastern Suburbs Community as a whole the traditional Greek hospitality in a family atmosphere. Apart from traditional Greek food and sweets being available, those in attendance will also be able to dance the “zorba” to the beat of the live music of the “Band Zorba” as well as witnessing dance demonstrations by dance groups from various regions of Greece.

The Church’s doors will also be open and an opportunity given to inspect and view the splendid Byzantine art and decor. Also the Australian Hellenic Museum (SA) situated within the Community Centre will be open for viewing. This is the only museum of its kind in South Australia.

This will be a family festival and children’s activities will be provided including a jumping castle and face painting.

The official opening of the festival will take place at 6:30pm. Guests invited to be in attendance include His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Dorylaeon representing the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church and Archdiocese of Australia; the Lieutenant-Governor His Excellency Mr Hieu Van Le; the Premier of SA, Hon Mike Rann MP; Minister for Correctional Services Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP; Minister for Multicultural Affairs Hon Grace Portolesi MP; Consul-General for Greece, Hon. Christos Maniakis-Grivas; Federal Member for Adleiade Hon. Kate Ellis MP; Federal Member for Hindmarsh Hon. Steve Georganas MP; Federal Member for Sturt Hon Christopher Pyne MP; State Memmber for Norwood Mr Stephen Marshall MP; His Worship the Mayor of Norwood Payneham and St Peters, Mr Robert Bria. In addition to these a number of other gueswts have also been invited.

Entry into the Festival will be free. There will, however, be donation tins available at two locations for anybody in attendance desiring to voluntarily donate a gold coin of which such collection will go totally towards the Queensland Flood Appeal.

This inaugural Panegyri promises to provide much fun and entertainment and is there for the Community as a whole to enjoy.

Any queries or information can be obtained from Mr Andrew Psaromatis by email: atmatis@lycos.com or by mob:0412113394.