|
This year’s Greek Orthodox Folk Dance
and Choral Festival (FDF 007) was truly a successful event.
Held in sunny Ontario, CA, there were over 5000 attendees
who came through the Ontario Convention Center doors to
experience a fun-filled weekend celebrating our Greek
heritage and Orthodoxy.
With over 100 dance groups performing and over 2900 dance
and choral participants, ranging in ages from 3 to 60 years
old, the 31st annual FDF ran on time – not Greek time – for
the first time in years. One of the key elements of FDF 007
was the addition of a new audio visual company, Multimedia
Presentation Group (MPG). MPG brought a fresh look to FDF,
one that will hopefully carry us through for another 31
years.
There were several other additions to FDF 007 that the
Management Team, led by Managing Director Eleni Constantine,
created including recognizing the community service (Diakonia)
contributions by various parishes in the San Francisco
Metropolis. FDF and the Metropolis of San Francisco
encouraged all FDF dance and choral groups to involve
themselves with community service projects. There were 9
parishes that participated and turned in photos and a write
up that were recognized for their Diakonia projects. These
parishes participated in toy drives, walks to raise money,
bake sales, performing Greek dances for the elderly, and
collecting donations for those in need. It was truly an
inspiring aspect of FDF 007 to highlight the efforts of our
youth working together to help others.
Another new event at FDF 007 was the 1st annual Tavli
Tournament. The tavli tournament featured 32 players
competing against each other while drinking the traditional
Greek coffee drink, Frappe.
FDF 007 was a unique year as it was the weekend before the
start of Great Lent. FDF participants observed a Lenten menu
all weekend and participated in church services on Saturday,
Sunday of Forgiveness, and Clean Monday. The thematic
message for this year’s FDF was “Agents of Orthodoxy”,
inspired by the popular James Bond movies. Each
participant’s mission as an “Agent of Orthodoxy” was the
Mission 70 X 7 from Matthew 18:21 - to forgive your brother
“not seven times, but seventy times seven.” |
