Darwin GleNTi returns to deliver a taste of Greece

The Darwin GleNTi Festival is transforming the Darwin Esplanade into a slice of Greece complete with food, dancing and music this weekend.

The Greek community has been busy working away in the background folding dolmades, marinating meats and making sweets to feed the thousands of people expected to attend the two-day festival that will take place from 10-11 June 2023.

GleNTi Festival is delivered by the Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia. President Nick Poniris said the Greek community takes pride in delivering an authentic experience.

“Visitors to the GleNTi are going to experience Greek culture, food, dance and music as if they were in Greece, but on the foreshore of Darwin Harbour,” he said.

“The food is done traditionally as it has been done generations before us. It’s all family fun and affordable and is a great event for locals and interstate guests.”

This year sees the inclusion of an interstate dance group for the first time, with the Kalymnian Association of NSW dance group and committee members special guests at the Greek GleNTi Festival. About 100 people from the association, including dancers and their families, have travelled to the Territory for the event.

Those looking to tuck into delicious Greek food will be in for a treat with dolmades, octopus, yiros, souvla and Cypriot delights kleftiko and sheftalia among the array of foods on offer.

More than 500kg of mince have been sourced to make the dolmades and meatballs by hand, with members of the Greek community pulling together to create the much-loved delicacies. A range of sweets is also on sale.

The festival is family friendly, with visits from the Paw Patrol crew, Greek music including singer Maria Maroulis, from Kinisi Live performing with Adonis Lira and Nikita Elenis and 3-on-3 basketball.

The festival is free to attend and will be open from 10am to midnight each day. For the latest updates, follow https://www.facebook.com/glenti.com.au