Greek Fest Glendi was conceived in 1999 to share the Greek Culture with the community of Townsville. It started as a modest event in Flinders Street West in front of the Greek Community Function Centre and quickly became a success. In 2001 the festival moved to Strand Park and became a signature event for the area until 2004 which culminated in a colossal celebration of the 2004 Athens Olympics. In 2006 the festival moved again to its current home at the Riverway Precinct. It has provided the perfect atmosphere for visitors to relax and take in the expanded entertainment and food offerings.
For thousands of years, the Greeks have enjoyed interaction and trade with neighbours around the Mediterranean and farther east to Asia. In a nod to this, the 2017 festival will expand its offerings to include cuisines and displays from around Greece’s ‘neighbourhood’ celebrating Townsville’s cultural diversity.
The exciting addition to the cultural experience at Greek Fest and potential for further expansion of the new narrative has culminated in a name change for the festival to ‘Glendi’. Glendi translates to festivity, revelry, merrymaking a celebration.
The festival has always been and continues to be, a free event for over 25,000 attendees. This year the festival will be held over the long weekend. Festival goer’s senses will come alive with traditional music and dancing displays, delectable foods and cooking demonstrations from around the Mediterranean. There will also be a variety of children’s entertainment and fun filled activities for the whole family to be involved in.
The festival is proud to offer the community an opportunity to reflect on the values and traditions that have helped shape our country and, more importantly, our region.
