It was with great success that the Thessaloniki Association “The White Tower” and the Pan- Mace-donian Association of Melbourne and Victoria celebrated this year’s Demitria Festival which highlighted the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Melbourne and Thes-saloniki.
Demitria celebrates the patron saint of Thessaloniki which is the capital city of the province of Macedonia in Greece.
This year, the glendi of the Demitria was held at a place which is renowned for its multicultural atmosphere and a place which has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for 140 years.
It was at the Queen Victoria market which attracts not only Australians but overseas travellers when they visit this beautiful city of Melbourne.
The Vic market precinct brought a different buzz and sense of belonging to many of the market regulars and visitors whether they were of Greek origin or not.
The event kicked off early with the band “Anagennisi” playing greek rhythms together with Greek dancing groups where the youth participated with their national greek costumes representative of various regions throughout Greece such as Mace-donia and Crete! The Pontians, as well performed, as well as dancing groups from other Communities.
The 3xy Radio Hellas crew was present covering the event in both English and Greek languages, interacting with all who came to join in the celebration. Many of the special guests and government officials voiced through our live broadcasting their messages of support for the positive multicultural vibe which reached out to everyone present and to the 3xy listeners.
President of the Thessaloniki Asso-ciation, Mr Paul Mavroudis addressed the audience highlighting that his history and roots are from Thessaloniki, from Macedonia and now his home and the new family foundations are in Melbourne.
Pan Macedonian Association Presi-dent Andreas Ballis stressed the importance to show that they continue to embrace Australian multiculturalism and that the Greek Macedonian spirit continues to enrich our society through these and other events.
According to the Greek Consul-General Dimitris Michalopoulos, the purpose of these events is not only the entertainment part, but to strive in maitaining and promoting the Mace-donian traditions and culture.
Furthermore the President of the Pan-Macedonian Federation of Australia, Mr George Kosmidis came from Brisbane to honour and deliver his support for the Dimitria celebrations in Melbourne.
The Victorian Multicultural Commis-sion Charperson Vivienne Nguyen and the Lord Mayor of Mebourne Sally Capp also attended the glendi last Sunday. They both embraced the multicultural event and showed their support for the Thessaloniki Melbourne sister city relationship which has provided strong cultural and social ties
between the two cities.
The ties have definitely flourished 35 years after that first initiative was taken on the 20 March 1984 at the Melbourne Town Hall .35 years later, at the historical Queen Vic market, for the first time, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne addresses the Greek Melbournians with big Kalispera!
Furthermore in her message she acknowledges that with the largest Greek speaking population outside Greece, here in Melbourne, connections have become an intrinsic part of our community and have played an important role in shaping Melbourne.
Emily Kazakos spoke to Ms Capp who expressed her big “Kalispera” to the 3xy listeners. She spoke about her connection with Greeks since her primary school years, her travels to Greece and the love for Greek fetta!
She also stresssed the importance of the Hellenic Museum here in Melbourne, which has flourished in introducing perspectives not only about the history but about he future as well.
