Get ready to feast on spanakopita, souvlaki and gyros at Greek Fest next week.

The free, family-friendly event, put on by the Victoria and Vancouver Island Greek Community Society, features a variety of Mediterranean food, live music and folk dance.

But the festival isnB次元官网网址檛 just a celebration of Greek culture, itB次元官网网址檚 a celebration of community, says one organizer.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not only Greek stuff,B次元官网网址� Jim Koutougos, vice president of the society, said. B次元官网网址淲e definitely celebrate the Greek culture, and in general Greekness, but weB次元官网网址檝e actually created a little bit more of a multicultural festival.B次元官网网址�

Now in itB次元官网网址檚 11th year, the festival is based on the Greek tradition of philoxenia, or B次元官网网址渓ove of strangers.B次元官网网址�

In Greek culture, neighbours often invite strangers or acquaintances to festivals and make them feel at home, Koutougos explained. B次元官网网址淭his is carrying on a tradition that you will find all over Greece.B次元官网网址�

Each year the festival keeps growing, Koutougos said. An estimated 30,000 people attended the week-long festival last year.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 event will include more seating, and more entertainment, he said, including performances from Spanish flamenco to Polynesian drumming.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more of a folk festival,B次元官网网址� Koutougos said.

There will also be heritage exhibits, arts and crafts and face-painting. As well, Greek dancers from Mesologi, Greece, will be returning to perform.

However, the main draw to the event is B次元官网网址渢ons of delicious authentic Greek food.B次元官网网址� Koutougos promises

B次元官网网址淚f you like that type of cuisine, thereB次元官网网址檚 something that youB次元官网网址檙e not going to get at any Greek restaurant in town, and thatB次元官网网址檚 the roast lamb,B次元官网网址� he said.

Greek Fest runs Tuesday to Monday (Aug. 28 to Sept. 3), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the front of Commonwealth Place, 4648 Elk Lake Dr. See www.greekfest.ca for more information.

Eating Greek goes to good causes

While the annual Greek festival is the main fundraiser for the Victoria and Vancouver Island Greek Community Society, donations and proceeds from vendor purchases will contribute to several different causes.

The society has partnered with the Saanich Fire Department to raise funds for the hot lunch program, which provides food for children in Victoria schools.

On Aug. 28, 10 per cent of proceeds will go to Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.

As well, there will be a 10 per cent discount on all food items for seniors on Aug. 30.

reporter@vicnews.com