About the Antipodes Festival

"Antipodes - pl. n. < Gk. 1. Either or both of two places that are situated diametrically opposite one another on the earth's surface. 2. The people who live there. 3. (often cap.) the. Australia and New Zealand."

The first Greek immigrants arrived in the Antipodes during the Gold Rush era of the 1850's. By the turn of the century, Greek community organisations were founded in most major cities, servicing the cultural and spiritual needs of the few but increasing number of Greek immigrants.

Post-War migration saw the number of people leaving a war-ravaged Greece increase markedly with many coming to Melbourne. Now the city on the banks of the Yarra is recognised as the third largest Greek-speaking city in the world.

The Greek Community of Melbourne & Victoria was established in 1897 and is one of the oldest and largest ethnic organisations in Australia. As one of its many initiatives, the Greek Community in 1987, in conjunction with Tourism Victoria, founded the Antipodes Festival.

Since its inception, it has encouraged and developed a forum for the expression of Greek-Australian art within our unique Victorian multicultural environment.

The award winning Antipodes Festival has grown to what is now considered the world's largest celebration of Greek culture outside of Greece . The Festival's success is such that it is used as a model by the Greek Foreign Ministry for Greek communities world wide.

The 2006 Antipodes festival, on Saturday 20 May will be a one off special event. The event will be the official welcome of the acclaimed European Champions the Greek National Football team to Melbourne prior to their sold out match versus Australia at the MCG. The full day’s program will feature music, song and dance, street theatre, competitions, community stalls, children’s activities, arts and crafts, food, food and more food!