Article written by Sera-Lyn Terare.
It’s Greek Week! Greek week is one of my favourite weeks of the year because of the fantastic Greek culture. I’m obsessed with Greece, I mean how could you not be? Greece with its beautiful landscapes, rich history and of course, their mythologies who could go wrong? However, Greek week has nothing to do with mythology and everything to do with their culture and Brisbane just happens to have the next best thing after visiting Greece itself, The Paniyiri Greek Festival!
This year’s Paniyiri Festival is a special one, this year marks 42 years of landmark cultural and celebratory milestone. This festival has become Queensland’s signature celebration for all this Greek as well as the country’s longest running Greek Festival. This celebration started as a way for the passionate Greek Australians to share their cultural traditions. Which is great because it’s a little slice of Greece in Australia for those who can’t travel overseas themselves.
The Paniyiri Festival is hosted at Musgrave Park and The Greek Club, Edmonstone Street, South Brisbane and ran over the weekend of May 19th to the 20th. This festival had loads of activities, food and entertainment that gave Brisbane locals and tourists a weekend that they’ll never forget.
For me the highlight of this weekend was the Greek Dancing with the Stars. I love the way they move and how enchanting the music is. It makes you want to move your body with the music. This year there were stars from House Rules, Josh and Brandon as well as Home and Away stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor who were involved with not just Greek Dancing with the Stars but also a few of the eating competitions during the weekend events.
Another highlight was the historical and art displays from a Greek-Australian painter, Andrew Arnaoutopoulos on Sunday. This display could be seen throughout the day on Sunday with a number of readings, presentations and lectures that were also available. Andrew Arnaoutopoulos’ work is stunning and definitely something that you should add to your bucket list.
Many other events during the festival included activities for kids, arts and crafts as well as dance lessons to name a few. There was also eating competitions which included honey puff and the olive eating competitions. The olive eating competition included Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor, two Home and Away stars. Another favourite was the cooking demonstrations which included renowned chef George Diakomichalis, a Greek-Australian chef from Kalymnos Pastries.
Although this festival is the only Greek festival in Brisbane, it does happen annually. I strongly urge anyone to add the Paniyiri Greek Festival to their bucket list and visit next year for the 43rd annual celebration. This Festival really is one that you will never forget.
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