A Great Day, A Big Crowd and lots of Fun

 February 15, 2009

On a picture-perfect Summer's day, Melboune's Cultural Association of Agia Paraskevi "O Taxiarhis" held its annual feast day of Agios Haralambos (Tou Tavrou) at the premises of  Pallesviaki Enosis of Melbourne and Victoria in Bayswater.

Above: Two photographs taken during the Panygiri.

Approximately 700 people appreciated first-hand this rich cultural festivity of Agia Paraskevi- enjoying a memorable day of music, dancing, feasting and, more spectacularly, the lavish decorations of the horses and all the riders' horsemanship.

With renowned champion horserider, Efstratios Karakonstantis, as a judge, first prize for horsemanship went to Panagiotis Hatzioglou, second and third prizes to Canberrans, Mihalis Koumanias and Ignatios Saragas respectively.

For the traditional koulbani ("ketskech"), it should be noted that that it was donated by Anna Pirpiri- in memory for her late-husband, Ioannis- and, Mihalis and Anna Kokkori. The delicious koulbani - a mixture of meat and wheat, seasoned with herbs and spices- was prepared and cooked by Konstantina Zaharis. Five large pots were cooked, and it was still not enough!

Taxiarhi's President, Christos Klidaras, was very pleased to the great turn-out for the Feast Day, thanking major sponsors- Tyrnapos Imports and Peter Behlevanas- as well as all the other sponsors. He also emphasised the success of the Feast Day celebrations was due to the strong crowd attendance and he graciously thanked everyone for their presence. 

It should be noted that the Annual Social Dance held the night before the Feast Day was also a successful night. The food was catered by the Women's Auxiliary of Frontida Nursing Home and, to show their appreciation, the Association donated to twenty per cent of the takings to the Nursing Home.

Master of Ceremonies for the Feast Day Panygiri was Kostas Tsombakos.

Above: Two photographs of members of Pegasus dancing Group, who entertained the large crowd.