Greek Orthodox Community of NSW holds fruitful meeting with Panathinaikos BC President

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) held a highly productive meeting with the President of Panathinaikos BC, Mr Vassilis Parthenopoulos, during his recent visit to Sydney, further strengthening ties between the local Greek-Australian community and Greece’s rich sporting and cultural legacy.

President of GOCNSW, Mr Harry Danalis, and Secretary, Ms Nia Karteris, welcomed Mr Parthenopoulos on Tuesday 13 May, as part of his visit to officially announce the upcoming Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament, which will be held in Sydney this September.

Central to the discussions was the Community’s strong interest in screening the documentary film “Ταξίδι στα αστέρια” (A Journey to the Stars) as part of the 30th Greek Film Festival in Australia. The film chronicles the lives and legacy of Pavlos and Thanasis Giannakopoulos, key figures in the rise of Panathinaikos BC and icons of Greek sporting history.

Mr Danalis and Ms Karteris spoke with Mr Parthenopoulos about distribution rights and explored opportunities for including the film in this year’s festival program. The film’s compelling narrative and strong cultural significance make it a natural fit for the milestone 30th edition of the festival.

To commemorate the occasion, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW presented Mr Parthenopoulos with a special plaque, marking the importance of the visit and celebrating a shared vision for cultural exchange and community engagement.

Further announcements about the film’s inclusion in the festival lineup are expected in the coming months.