The much-loved Oakleigh Glendi Festival returned to Warrawee Park on Saturday, 1 November, kicking off its biggest event yet and celebrating a decade of Glendi magic – ten years of food, music, culture and community spirit.

Since its humble beginnings, Oakleigh Glendi has grown into one of Melbourne’s most vibrant and inclusive cultural festivals, honouring Greek heritage while welcoming the wider community to join in the celebration.

This year’s event boasts an expanded site, an impressive weekend lineup and international headline act Christina Salti, who lit up the stage on Saturday night before a fireworks display that closed Day 1 with a bang.

From loukoumades and souvlakia to Greek dancing, live music and carnival rides, the park was alive with thousands of people soaking up the sunshine, atmosphere and unmistakable kefi that has come to define the Glendi.

For many community groups and stallholders, the festival is an opportunity to connect and share their heritage.

Rebecca Kayalicos, a member of the Lemnian Youth of Victoria, said:

“It’s important for us to be here today to get awareness, find like-minded youth from Lemnos like us so that they know when we’re doing our next events and how to find us.”

Rebecca Kayalicos, a member of the Lemnian Youth of Victoria. Photo: Michael Georgiou

Louisa from ETHIMA – Greek Smashing Plates said the energy of the day was infectious.

“It’s been a great turnout, the weather’s great, it’s beautiful to see culture, community connecting, and this is a great opportunity to do that,” she said.

“We love coming to Oakleigh because it’s kind of like being in a mini-Athens, feels like you’ve gone to Greece just for a day.

“It’s a great time for us; we love coming here.”

This year marked Louisa’s first time having a stall at the Glendi, though she performed last year with the Cretan Brotherhood.

Louisa from ETHIMA – Greek Smashing Plates (right). Photo: Michael Georgiou

Also among the younger generation, Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting, Treasurer of NUGAS and President of the La Trobe University Greek Society (LUGS), highlighted how events like the Glendi keep cultural identity alive.

“We’re having a great time, it’s the tenth year of the festival, we’ve been coming just as long,” she said.

“These kinds of things are really important for second, third, fourth generation Greek Australians because it’s a celebration of our culture not just as Greeks but as Greek Australians, this culture of having these festivals, having a panagiri, having the Antipodes Festival, having the Oakleigh Glendi.

“This is so much part of the Greek Australian culture we’ve created the second and third generation Australians. It’s so integral to the culture here and it’s just beautiful to see it all come together.”

NUGAS reps (left to right). Angelica Spiliopoulos-Angsiting, Treasurer of NUGAS and President of the La Trobe University Greek Society (LUGS), Spiros Zervos from RMIT and Mary Kallinteris, President of Greek Australian Society of St Patrick’s (GASP, ACU). Photo: Michael Georgiou

For Asimina Drougas of Evlogia, it was a great first experience as a stallholder at the event.

“It’s a beautiful day, lot of people around. Very important event, it’s nice to see so many Greeks coming together,” she said.

“The atmosphere here is really beautiful, it’s not as crowded as I usually see at Antipodes but it is a very inviting and very beautiful family event.

“I hope that you can come and experience the feel, the really Greek feel that is very much alive at this event.”

Asmina Drougas from Evlogia. Photo: Michael Georgiou

Before taking to the main stage, Greek singer Christina Salti told Neos Kosmos:

“I’m so happy to be here in Oakleigh for this great Glendi.

“I’m going to sing very loud to everyone with a big energy.

“Thank you very much for the hospitality, for the invitation. We will have a magical time.

“Kisses to all.”

Christina Salti had a quick chat with Neos Kosmos before she hit the stage. Photo: Michael Georgiou

Her performance later that evening had the crowd dancing and singing along to Greek hits, embodying the Glendi spirit.

Reflecting on the first day’s success, Oakleigh Greek Community President Chris Damatopoulos said he was moved by the turnout.

“What can I say, we didn’t expect such a day and people are gathering, we have seen so many people,” he said.

“Thank you to all of Melbourne who have come to support. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“I can’t tell you how many thousands are here right now.”

The Oakleigh Glendi continues on Sunday, 2 November, with more live entertainment, cultural performances, and plenty of food and family fun.

Oakleigh Greek Community President Chris Damatopoulos. Photo: Michael Georgiou

More photos

Photos: Michael Georgiou