First-Ever Greek Festival to Be Held in Perth, Australia in October

The influence of Greek culture on Western Australia will be celebrated between 19 and 28 October with the first annual Perth Greek Festival.

The Perth Greek Festival gives the Perth community the opportunity to experience the food, customs, architecture, music and dance of Greece. These are the cultural touchstones of the many different Greek community groups in Western Australia.

An array of events and activities begin on October 19, and build up to the Greek Festival Day on October 26, which features an outdoor festival at Russell Square in Northbridge.

The Perth Greek Festival then culminates with Oxi Day – the Greek National Day – on October 28, 2019 at Kings Park.

Other highlights of Perth Greek Festival include the “Greek Heritage Walking Trail.” Participants can join renowned Perth historian Dr. John Yiannakis for a walking tour profiling the Greek people, businesses and cultural history of North Perth and Northbridge.

Participants will develop an understanding of the role these two historical Perth suburbsplayed in the development of the Greek community and their significant contribution to Western Australia.

There will be a workshop entitled “Planted, Plucked and Pickled” for those who have that olive tree in the backyard and don’t know what to do with it. Stan Kailis, co-author of “Producing Table Olives,” will teach participants how widen their knowledge of this iconic Greek product.

He will take them on a journey from planting and caring for an olive tree, to harvesting and processing olives to share with family and friends.

A “Greek Kitchen Masterclass” will be offered by “The Food Philosopher,” Yianni Stamatiou, as he guides participants through traditional Greek recipes from old favorites to some of the lesser known staples of the Greek kitchen.

This is an opportunity to extend your cooking repertoire and add a little Greek to your day.

Greek Movie Night: Greece has a notable history in the art of cinema and the festival organizers are proud to present a free screening of the award-winning film “A Touch of Spice” at the Northbridge Piazza.

The photographic Exhibition “The Jews of Greece, Then and Now” will provide a remarkable insight into the life of Romaniote Jews and the smaller groups of Ashkenazi Jews of Europe who make up the Greek-Jewish community. Presented in partnership with the Jewish Community Council.

“Boxopolis:” local artists have combined forces with Mt. Hawthorn Primary School to design and build Greek chariots out of cardboard boxes to be paraded on Festival Day.

The culmination of the Perth Greek Festival will be on Festival Day, October 26, with food and market stalls, live performances, demonstrations and many other activities. Don’t miss your chance to talk Mediterranean gardens with Sabrina Hahn, to dance up a storm and sample a taste of Greece.

Hellenic Community of Western Australia President Savvas Papasavvas believes that the Perth Greek Festival is an event for all Western Australians, saying “While the festival is of course very much for the Greek community of Western Australia, its real value is in spreading all that is good about Greek culture to the people of Perth.

“The Greek community has made great contributions to Western Australia for many decades and we are very proud of that. The Perth Greek Festival is an opportunity for people to sample Greek culture, Greek history, Greek music and of course Greek food in Perth, he adds.

Papasavvas concludes by inviting everyone to experience what the Festival has to offer, saying “There are many great events and activities to see and be part of, so I encourage everyone to come and get an insight into this remarkable and beautiful country.”

The Perth Greek Festival, presented by LiveLighter, is supported by the Office of Multicultural Interests, Lotterywest and the City of Perth.