Paniyiri Greek Festival, Australia

The Paniyiri Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture at Brisbane's Musgrave Park and The Greek Club & Convention Centre. Expect Greek-themed food, wine and music, and an attempt at breaking the festival's own "Zorba Till You Drop" dance marathon record.

The Paniyiri Main Stage in Musgrave Park will host over 20 hours of entertainment over the weekend including the Hellenic Dance Group, appearances from Greek Goddess Effie, Grape Stomping, Greek Dancing with the Stars presented by Channel 7, Honey Puff and Olive Eating Competitions, Zorba Til You Drop, performances by Melbourne-based Greek singer Maria Maroulis and fireworks.

On the grassy flats of Musgrave Park more than 30 food stalls will showcase the tastes of Grecian culinary staples and delicacies from all corners of Greece. Meanwhile in The Greek Club, a full program of traditional cooking  demonstrations, headlined by celebrity chef Vasili Kanidiadis from SBS’s Vasili’s Garden, will uncover the recipes and secrets behind quintessential Greek dishes.

A feast of knowledge will be delivered through the Lady Bowen Trust Lecture Series in The Greek Club’s Acropolis Room during the two days featuring; An Ionian’s Odyssey - The Contessa Diamantina, Lady Bowen comes to Queensland presented by David Gibson; Greek Cities in Southern France and Spain presented by Emeritus Professor Bob Milns A.M; Aphrodite and the Mixed Grill (Greek Cafes in 20th Century Australia) presented by Toni Risson; and Escape to Greece – The Perfect Destination presented by Rebecca Georgiou.

In addition to the Lady Bowen Trust Lecture Series, Paniyiri 2009 will host the unveiling of the digital story presentation The Journey from Yassou to G’Day, an initiative born from Queensland’s 150th Anniversary (Q150),  celebrations which this year pay homage to the significant role the Greek culture and iconic Greek identities like Lady Diamantina, Bowen have played in the city’s development.

Now facing its 33rd successful year, Paniyiri is a community initiative of the 25,000-strong Greek community of South East Queensland but also the general community in a celebration of fun, food and friendship. The festival is a testament to Greece, proving that it really is a destination where tradition holds firm and where hospitality and living life to the fullest is everything.

Funds raised by the Paniyiri Greek Festival are channeled back into the community via the Greek Orthodox Community of St George, Brisbane’s oldest Greek community established in Queensland in the 1920s.