On Monday 11th March, the MANASIS School of Dance and Culture will yet again create another incredible milestone in its history, through its participation in the Moomba Festival Parade.
We are humbled to have the privilege of representing the entire Greek-Australian diaspora through our involvement, alongside countless other organisations, in what is planned to be a celebration of unity and cultural diversity.
The unexplained void of any Greek representation has been decades-long, and the opportunity to participate is credited to our school’s commitment to reviving centuries-old traditions, namely the APOKRIES Carnival Season Processions, Ceremonial/Honorary Parades, and of course Greek dance!
Our team will be led by a contingency of our mighty FROURA Hellenic Australian Honorary Guard – by MANASIS followed by endless rows of dancers from the MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture in an exhibition of costumes, traditions, and dances (of course the famous Zorba too), and flanked the entire length by the masks/bell wearers- Koudounoforoi.
In the month of March, our community bridges two significant cultural and religious observations
1) the conclusion of the APOKRIES Carnival season and the commencement of Great Lent, and
2) the Commemoration of the Greek National Day 25th March, 1821.
In the planning of what to best present as ‘reflective’ of the Greek-Australian community, much thought was invested into production within the strict parameters and nature of the event. Ultimately, we have fused
1) our customary traditional ‘parade’, complete with drummers and flag-bearers carrying all the representative regalia and insignias,
2) countless dancers in traditional costumes reflective of the various regions of Greece, 3) the most recognised and famous medley ‘Zorba’, and 4) the most traditional free-flowing ‘patinada’ (street/roving dance), Berati.
We hope to make everyone extremely proud and take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the City of Melbourne and the Moomba Festival Parade Creative team for their support and this honour.
Dimosthenis Manasis – Director / Instructor
