The Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne & Victoria is proud to announce the final celebration of this year’s Dimitria Festival, culminating in a landmark Day Festival at the Hellenic Museum — a historic first collaboration between two major cultural institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting Hellenic heritage.
Over the past months, Dimitria 2025 has delivered one of its most diverse and culturally rich programs to date. The festival opened with an illuminating lecture on Byzantine monasteries, offering deep insight into the spiritual and architectural legacy of Macedonia and its centuries-old monastic traditions.
This was followed by a vibrant series of youth dance workshops, including a special masterclass with the renowned dance instructor Pipilas from Naousa, Greece, whose visit inspired young participants and strengthened living connections between Macedonian dance heritage and the next generation.
Most recently, PanMac proudly awarded students who took part in the Dimitria Student Competition, centred on the ancient mermaid myth (Γοργόνα) — a legend tracing back to the era of Alexander the Great and earlier. Students explored the continuity of Greek storytelling while celebrating creativity, imagination, and historical inquiry.
A Day Festival at the Hellenic Museum — A Celebration of Filoxenía, Culture, and Shared Heritage
The festival now moves to its highly anticipated final event: a full-day cultural celebration at the Hellenic Museum, marking the first major collaboration between the Pan-Macedonian Association and the Museum itself. This partnership symbolises the unbreakable connection between Macedonian history and the broader tapestry of Greek history, while reinforcing PanMac’s mission to expand its cultural programs both within and beyond the Greek community.
The Day Festival will feature:
- Live performances from local dance groups and multicultural ensembles
- A recitation of the historic Macedonian Oath, honouring the legacy of our ancestors
- A wide variety of food offerings, showcasing Greek and neighbouring cuisines
- Activities and entertainment for young children, encouraging family participation
- Free admission to the Hellenic Museum for all visitors on the day, allowing the wider community to explore and immerse themselves in Macedonian and Hellenic history
By opening the Museum’s doors at no cost for the day, the event invites all Victorians — Greek and non-Greek — to learn, engage, and connect with the deep cultural heritage that shapes our community.
This year’s Dimitria proudly welcomes participation from the Assyrian, Armenian, and Indian communities, reflecting the festival’s guiding principle of Filoxenía and its mission to foster multicultural understanding, dialogue, and shared celebration.
“Our focus this year has been crystal clear: to empower our youth, to collaborate across cultures, and to position the Pan-Macedonian Association as a major cultural force for the next generation of Macedonians. By opening our doors wider than ever before — welcoming Assyrian, Armenian, and Indian community partners — we are demonstrating that Macedonian culture thrives when it is shared. The Day Festival at the Hellenic Museum embodies this vision. Free museum access, youth activities, multicultural performances, and living Macedonian traditions all serve one purpose: to ensure that our heritage is not only remembered, but lived.”
Panagiotis Stefanidis, President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Melbourne & Victoria
Event Details
Dimitria 2025 — Day Festival
Date: 7 December 2025
Venue: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne
Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
The Pan-Macedonian Association invites all members of the community — Greek and non-Greek alike — to join in this historic celebration of history, culture, and unity.
