It starts with the Taste Twitch and ends with a random smashing of plates in the kitchen. Yes, it’s that time of year again, when the promise of all things deliciously and wonderfully Greek takes over, meaning the world famous Paniyiri Greek Festival – simply Brisbane’s most beloved cultural event – is just a few zorba steps away…..
Top 10 signs that Paniyiri Greek Festival is almost here:
1. The Taste Twitch – this can present as a slight tick in the corner of the mouth, or as an all-out drool when the thought of doughnut balls dipped in honey – otherwise known as Loukoumades or Honeypuffs – enters the brain. Ditto with any form of Greek BBQ. Or Baklava. Or Haloumi. Or Souvlaki.
2. Busy Legs, also known as The Zorba Walk – this has you walking sideways, back and forth, and often attempting an Olympic level high kick. It can happen in lunch lines, on the train, at the gym, anywhere. It’s a sure sign you are ready for the Paniyiri dancefloor!
3. Sticky Coffee Syndrome – those in search of the famous thick Greek coffee, often so thick a spoon stands upright, have been known to add the odd teaspoon of Clag Glue to their latte. This is not recommended. What is recommended is patience until May 19 and 20 when Greek Coffee will abound!
4. Greek Grandmother Envy – when you start calling your own grandmother YiaYia, and ask her to reveal long-held family secrets on how to create dolmades and baklava, and regale stories of ‘home’ (regardless of the fact she may have hailed from Dalby, or Caloundra).
5. The Great Aperol Spritz Snub – causing bearded bartenders and ‘mixologists’ all over Brisbane to shake their head in amazement, this sign sees Gen Y forgo their beloved Aperol Spritz for Ouzo. Yep, Ouzo.
6. Smoke Signal Madness – when Paniyiri fans madly following any smoke they see (much like storm chasers) in the hope of discovering a mouth-watering Greek BBQ with a lamb spit or charcoal chicken. Trust us, it’s worth the wait.
7. The May Flavour Wave – suddenly you find yourself ordering everything with added rosemary and lemon, even adding it to your cornflakes. Note: this Flavour Wave will continue through until Sunday May 20.
8. Brisbane, a City of Linguists – the week before Paniyiri sees fans all over Brisbane suddenly proficient in key Greek words – namely Haloumi, Dolmades, Yiros, Souvlaki, Spanakopita, Keftedes, Moussaka, Tzatziki, Calamari, Baklava and Zorba – and are often heard correcting others on correct pronunciations.
9. The What to Wear Dilemma – this sign kicks in around Tuesday before Paniyiri and sees fan juggling their love of fashion, with their need for a stretchy-waisted-pant, enough to allow for an adequate intake of Greek delights, while staying up during a particularly strenuous Zorba. Good luck with that.
10. Getting (Plate) Smashed – you will view smashing plates at work, at friend’s places and at random restaurants simply an act of preparation for Paniyiri. However, it is recommended to HOLD this urge until the festival because then, you can bring on all the good spirits or kefi, that the act beholds, otherwise, well, it’s out of our hands.
So, whether you are showing early signs, or are deep in the thralls of Paniyiri Fever, there is not long to wait.
Over the weekend of May 19 and 20 Brisbane will be overtaken in a haze of haloumi-flavoured smoke and Zorba-inspired high kicks – and Paniyiri Greek Festival organisers have promised a two-day celebration of authentic flavours, faces and culture with free public transport to and from the event!
Tickets are available online at paniyiri.com
This year all Paniyiri ticket holders travel free on network-wide Brisbane City Council buses and Queensland Rail City Network trains thanks to a partnership between Paniyiri and TransLink (must present valid ticket when boarding, see website for details).
Paniyiri 2018 Fast Facts
Date: Saturday May 19 from 12noon AND Sunday May 20 from 10am
Location: Musgrave Park & The Greek Club, Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane
Info: www.paniyiri.com or 07 3844 1166 – See Paniyiri on Facebook for all up to date information
Tickets: $12 Adults (13+), $5 all Pensioners, Children FREE. Available online and at the gate.
Transport: ***Travel free with a pre-purchased Paniyiri Greek Festival ticket to the event on all regular network-wide Brisbane City Council buses and Queensland Rail City Network trains (excludes Brisbane City Council ferries, the G: and Airtrain service). Plan ahead at translink.com.au or call 13 12 30.
