It’s perhaps no surprise that the idea to start a Greek cultural festival in Ottawa was born during the cold, dark days of a Canadian winter, when relative newcomers found themselves longing for the warmth and traditions of the old country.

To Kosta “Gus” Zygoumis and the late Yianni “John” Zigiris, the snow piling up outside the small Greek restaurant in nearby Hull must have looked as high as Mount Olympus. Inside, they were comforted by Greek food, lively music and traditional dancing. The year was 1975.

As the story goes, Zygoumis turned to Zigiris and asked, “Doesn’t this remind you of the festivals (panigýria) we used to have in Greece, when the whole village came together to celebrate?” As Zigiris nodded in agreement, Zygoumis added, “We should bring that tradition to our new home. Let’s organize a festival (panigíri) for our community.”

It wasn’t just a passing conversation that faded by morning, as late-night ideas often do. Their vision turned into action, with the approval of the Hellenic community’s president, Christos Georgaras. It marked the beginning of what would become Ottawa Greek Fest — an annual tradition that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The festival runs from August 14 to 17 and August 22 to 24 at 1315 Prince of Wales Dr, where the local Greek Orthodox church and its event centre are both located. The seven-day event offers free admission and free parking.

The festival is expected to draw an attendance of up to 35,000 over its seven-day run, with daily crowds ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 people. The event attracts visitors from Toronto and Montreal.  “It’s one of Canada’s most well-known Greek festivals, and even in North America,” said current festival co-chair Alex Reklitis.

The presenting sponsors are family-owned local businesses Olympia Homes and Argos Carpets and Flooring, founded by the late Peter Foustanellas. The festival received funding from the Ontario government.

Ottawa Greek Fest – packed with young people — in 2024.

Zygoumis says he can’t help but feel proud when reflecting on how much the festival has grown and evolved since its humble beginnings. The inaugural one was held around the naming of the Greek community’s church, The Dormition of the Virgin Mary, on August 15, 1975.

“That first year, it was hard,” said Zygoumis, 78, recalling the enormous effort made by hundreds of volunteers.

“I tell you, all the wives and housewives — nothing against the men — were the ones who cooked and prepared all the Greek dishes.”

In those days, organizers were permitted to visit local farms to personally slaughter the lambs before preparing the meat for the barbecue. “The festival was successful from day one only because all the volunteers worked hard. They wanted it to succeed. They wanted to preserve our heritage.”

By 1986, the festival had expanded to welcome the wider community, a decision made under the leadership of Zygoumis — who was the Hellenic community’s president at the time — along with the support of Zigiris and fellow community leader Steve Karaiskos.

Zygoumis was part of a generation of Greek immigrants who came to Canada in the late 1960s, when there was economic hardship and political unrest in his homeland. He was 22 when he made the journey – not realizing at the time how cold Canada could get. “I had dreams for a better life, perhaps,” said Zygoumis, who worked his way up from dishwasher and cleaner to owning his own small business. He got married and started a family along the way. “I’m very proud to be Canadian,” he added.

An aerial shot of the first-ever Ottawa Greek Fest in 1975.

Volunteers — including this group of women — have helped keep the Greek traditions and culture alive through Ottawa Greek Fest.

Promotion of Greek Fest in The Ottawa Sun newspaper in 2003.

Shards of broken glass cover the ground where the dancers perform.

While the current dress code is not togas, this happy group donned them for Greek Fest in 2002.

A more “spirited” moment at a past Ottawa Greek Fest

A crowd shot of Ottawa Greek Fest in its earlier days.

Traditional dancers showcasing Greece’s rich heritage at an earlier Ottawa Greek Fest.

The Greek bouzouki, played by Tony Pantieras, is a plucked musical instrument of the lute family.

The festival is now led by a younger generation of leaders who’ve stayed rooted in their Greek heritage. Ottawa is home to an estimated 6,000 residents of Greek descent.

Reklitis leads the festival with Andreas Koloniaris. They also serve as vice presidents of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa board. The festival will hold its opening ceremonies on August 15 with local politicians, embassy representatives and the Greek community’s long-time spiritual leader, Father Alex Michalopulos.

Reklitis was only five or six when he started volunteering for the festival. They had him sweep up shards of broken plates — a traditional Greek celebratory custom dating back centuries — smashed during the Zorba dance. It’s a popular folk dance made famous by the 1964 film Zorba the Greek.

When it comes to community service, the olive doesn’t fall far from the tree; Reklitis’s father, Jim Reklitis, is a former president of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa and former chair of Ottawa Greek Fest, while his mother is Penny Reklitis, a current member of the festival’s volunteer organizing committee.

The committee — which spends at least half a year in the planning and preparation stages – also includes Mano Kardaras, Bill Kontogiannis, Sotiri Giovanopoulos, Spero Papoulias, Jenny Papadopoulos, Georgina Karlis, Jim Sourges, Melina Kokkinos, Alexei Alswiti and Zafy Zygoumis. Assisting from the Hellenic Event Centre is its general manager, Peter Kossivas.

“We’re just trying to continue the legacy,” said Reklitis, whose day job is lead project manager at the University of Ottawa. He’s also a married father of a two-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter. “We’re not the keyholders or creators of this festival; we’re just the caretakers.”

He likes to think of Greek Fest as “a big family barbeque” because eating together is how the community gathers, connects and shares stories. In Greek culture, hospitality runs deep, and there’s always room for one more.

“We pride ourselves on being a welcoming environment,” said Reklitis. “We like to send everyone home with a smile and a full belly.”

The food offerings will include all the Greek favourites, such as souvlaki, roasted BBQ lamb, spanakopitas, saganaki, and sweet, sticky baklava. Feeling a little adventurous? You can try some grilled octopus.

This year, Big Rig has joined as a beverage partner. As well, Metaxa — famous for its Greek brandy — will be serving up some cocktails in honour of the festival’s 50th.

Live music will fill the festival grounds, featuring popular acts like Alexandros, and George and Theodore Gritziotis. Beloved band Poseidon is reuniting from retirement. It features well-known business and community leader Nick Pantieras. He’s senior managing director with IPA (Institutional Property Advisors), which is a division of commercial real estate brokerage Marcus & Millichap. Together, the firms are the Main Tent sponsors.

The festival will include a small marketplace featuring imported Greek products, as well as a multicultural night that showcases the talents and traditions of other cultural communities

There will be various Greek dance groups, with the lively Zorba dance closing out each evening, sponsored by HN Homes. Expect a few surprises this year as well, said Reklitis.

It’s important to remember that, while the Ottawa Greek Festival has come to symbolize cultural diversity, it originally began as a gathering place for first-generation Greek immigrants — perhaps feeling a little homesick — to celebrate their heritage and rich culture together, said Reklitis.

“They truly did it all by themselves,” said Reklitis. “It’s grown into a much larger event but, at its heart, it started as a space for our parents’ and grandparents’ generations to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and connect with people who shared their roots.”

For more details about the festival, including its schedule, attractions, food menu and sponsors, see: ottawagreekfest.ca

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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