Shouts of B次元官网网址極paB次元官网网址� and the scent of roasting lamb will again fill the air beside Saanich Commonwealth Place over the next two weekends.
Greek Fest runs Aug. 25 to 27 and again Sept. 1 to 4 at the Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Dr. Admission is free to the 15th annual event that runs each day from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a normal custom in Greece, where each community, town, village, church, will put on a festival where they invite neighbours over for food and drinks and dancing,B次元官网网址� said Jim Koutougos, Greek Fest chairperson. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very common, it happens all over Greece every year.B次元官网网址�
The sights, sounds and tempting tastes of Greece will be on display over the next two weeks.
B次元官网网址淚f the weather co-operates itB次元官网网址檚 a little piece of Greece in Victoria. We have live entertainment almost the whole day every day. And If youB次元官网网址檙e hungry we have all that delicious food for people to enjoy,B次元官网网址� said Koutougos.
There will be a wide array of authentic Greek dishes including souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava and loukomades.
B次元官网网址淧eople have to come just to try the lamb. We do the lamb on the spit, traditional Greek style. You canB次元官网网址檛 find that anywhere in Victoria, even the Greek restaurants donB次元官网网址檛 do it because it takes too long.B次元官网网址�
The more than 20 different groups to perform over the seven days of Greek Fest include one coming all the way from Athens.
B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 not all Greek performers. We open up the stage to all different cultures,B次元官网网址� said Koutougos, adding there will be acts from Portuguese to Polynesian, along with Polish, Scottish and Irish.
And the rich Greek history will also take a prominent role, with displays highlighting the contributions of those such as seaman Juan De Fuca (Ioannis Focas) B次元官网网址� the first Greek to arrive in B.C. in 1592.
B次元官网网址淲e have a heritage museum weB次元官网网址檝e been working on with some exhibits there for people to have a look at. WeB次元官网网址檙e doing a heritage project where weB次元官网网址檙e getting the history of Greeks in Victoria and Vancouver Island,B次元官网网址� said Koutougos.
The celebration even extends to within the walls of the Greek Orthodox Church on the site.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been diligently working on all the art on the walls. All that has been hand painted by nuns in Greece B次元官网网址� big spectacular murals and icons.B次元官网网址�
Koutougos says the celebration is extended over two weeks to make it easier on the volunteers, as well as give more time for the community to join in the festivities. And of course that means shorter lineups, so you donB次元官网网址檛 have to wait for your souvlaki.
While VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Greek community only numbers about 1,500, that number will swell over the next two weekends, with about 20,000 enjoying last yearB次元官网网址檚 festivities.
B次元官网网址淲e have lots of people who come to be Greeks for a day,B次元官网网址� said Koutougos.
