Merriment and fun accompanied the annual Nashville Greek Festival that took place at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sept. 6 – 8.
As hundreds of visitors made their way up the hill to the church, they were instantly greeted by festive music and the sweet scent of fresh baklava in the air.
“It’s a good feeling to know that people still respect and honor the Greek heritage and culture anywhere in the United States,” Stefanie Glimenakis a Greek-American visitor said. “We have a small Greek community where I live, so it’s nice to go somewhere else like down south, where you don’t expect it, and see a good performing culture here and just celebrating it all. It’s really nice.”
The Festival was started 26 years ago as a way to raise money for the local Greek Orthodox Church.
“The purpose of the Greek Festival has been fundraising for our church, but also to share our ethnic background and to help people understand our orthodox faith,” Helen Sfikas Rogers, a church tour guide and local attorney said.
The festival brings activities and live music for all visitors, and also shares important aspects of Greek culture in fun and diverting ways.
“We have brought the culture of the Greek people and our faith through church tours, music, Greek bands, dancers, Greek food and pastries,” Katherine Nicholson Vasiliades a church member and president of Greek By Design importing company said. “It’s just great to bring our Greek culture to the people of Nashville.”
The festival welcomed all kinds of visitors, from the rock wall and caricature artists, to the bake sales and traditional Greek souvenir vendors.
“It’s been really great with all the dancers and vendors. And the food is incredible,” Glimenakis said. “It’s just really nice for people to be able to see the Greek culture in a different aspect in Nashville.”