For this special episode of The Voices of Paniyiri Podcast, we welcome Adrian Schrinner to celebrate 50 years of Paniyiri and reflect on what the festival means to Brisbane and its people.

The Lord Mayor shares his thoughts on the importance of multicultural festivals in shaping the identity of our city, embracing and preserving culture, and bringing communities together through food, music, dance, and tradition. He also speaks about his own family’s immigrant story, the value of cultural connection, and why events like Paniyiri continue to play such an important role in Brisbane’s community spirit.

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John Elisseos and Kerry Raiti from AHEPA join The Voices of Paniyiri to share insights into the organisation’s long-standing role within the Greek community and its involvement in Paniyiri over the years.

From supporting cultural preservation and community initiatives to working behind the scenes at one of Queensland’s biggest festivals, they reflect on the pride, purpose, and dedication that continues to drive AHEPA today.

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In this episode of The Voices of Paniyiri, we sit down with Evi Patounas and George Savva from the Colossus PanRhodesian Society to celebrate the spirit, traditions and legacy of the Rhodian community in Brisbane.

From preserving culture and strengthening community connections to their long-standing involvement in Paniyiri, Evi and George share stories of pride, passion and the importance of passing Hellenic traditions on to future generations.

As Paniyiri celebrates 50 years, this conversation highlights the people and organisations who continue to keep Greek culture thriving in Queensland through food, dance, friendship and community spirit.

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Sophie Drivas and Andrew Fox from NAB, alongside George Samios from Madd Loans, join us to share their connection to Paniyiri and the importance of supporting community events.

They discuss what it means to be long-standing partners of the festival, how these collaborations help Paniyiri grow, and why backing culture, tradition, and community matters for future generations.

A conversation about partnership, purpose, and community impact.

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Anthony Katsanevas and Herc Kaselakis from the Cretan Association of Queensland share their passion for preserving Cretan culture in Brisbane and their Association’s long-standing involvement in Paniyiri.

From music, dance, and tradition to the hard work behind the scenes, they reflect on what it means to represent Crete at one of Queensland’s most iconic cultural festivals.

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Katy Papoutsakis and Elleni Comino join us to share the behind-the-scenes story of Paniyiri—where the real work happens long before and after the festival weekend.

With decades of service as Accountant and Administrator for the Greek Community, they reflect on what it takes to deliver one of Brisbane’s most iconic cultural events year after year.

A powerful insight into dedication, planning, and the quiet commitment behind 50 years of Paniyiri.

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We’re joined by Stathi Efstathis and George Yanardasis from the Kastellorizian Association, two passionate contributors to Paniyiri since its early days.

They reflect on the Association’s role in preserving Kastellorizian culture in Brisbane, the evolution of the festival, and the strong sense of community behind it all.

From lifelong friendships to Stathi’s unwavering dedication to the iconic Beer Tent, this episode is a celebration of tradition, hard work, and the people who keep Paniyiri thriving year after year.

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Michael Anastas and Emmanuel Kokkoris join us to dive into one of Paniyiri’s most energetic traditions—the Greek Community Beer Tents.

From friendly rivalry and behind-the-scenes teamwork to decades of leadership and family involvement, they share stories that highlight the passion and pride behind this iconic festival feature. Emmanuel also reflects on his connection through The Coffee Club and its long-standing support of Paniyiri.

A fun, behind-the-scenes look at competition, community, and plenty of laughs.

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