Canberra's Greek community is preparing high-flying Hellenic dance performances for the 17th annual Glendi at the National Multicultural Festival.
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Cyprus Community president Georgia Alexandrou said the Hellenic culture was famous for its infectious and vibrant celebration and this year's Glendi on Sunday would be no different.
"Glendi in English means festival celebration," she said.
"The key ingredients are food, dancing and music which all bring about kefi, the Greek word for joy or loving life."
Greek-Australian comedian George Kapiniaris, of Wogs out of Work and Acropolis Now fame, is set to return to perform at Canberra's Glendi for the second time and will surely have crowds in stitches.
Festivalgoers can have their fill of sumptuous souvlaki, traditional spit-roasted lamb kontosouvli and grilled haloumi and Cypriot loukanika.
Mrs Alexandrou said honey-soaked Greek donuts (loukoumades) were a big hit and each year more than 5000 servings were gobbled up by revellers.
Anyone wanting to test their love of Hellenic culture can take part in the loukoumades eating, Hellenic dancing or plate breaking competitions.
Hellenic dance teacher Koula Diamand said all ages, from kindergarten through to university-aged students, were preparing to perform at the festival.
She said the seniors' performances included some impressive figoures – choreographed kicks, jumps and tricks in the air.
Senior Hellenic dancer Peter Apostolopoulos has mastered several figoures after 13 years of instruction and said he loves to showcase the traditional moves.
"Glendi is about showing Canberra, really Australia, what Greeks are about," he said.
"Being Greek is not about having a down-spiralling economy, or even what is going on in Greek politics.
"What people discover is that we are good, proud people who are passionate about our culture."
