Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Soft lights cast a warm glow across the elegant halls of the Chateau Royal in Laval as students stepped in unison to the rhythm of the daouli, transforming the venue into an enchanted forest for the annual Demosthenes school dance. The gathering on March 14 served as a vibrant testament to the enduring strength of the Greek diaspora, bridging generations through shared cultural expressions while mobilizing essential financial support to modernize educational facilities for the Hellenic youth of Greater Montreal.
The visual elements of the evening brought the theme to life, creating an immersive experience for the families in attendance. Dancers from the Saint Bruno dance school in Laval brought a touch of grace to the floor, moving fluidly across the space in elegant gradient dresses that transitioned smoothly from deep brown to pure white. The hall was adorned with blooming floral centerpieces that enhanced the carefully curated woodland atmosphere. Children in light pastel dresses formed tight circles, their arms linked in traditional formations as they executed the intricate steps of regional Greek dances. The collective energy of the room peaked during a lively interactive performance by percussionist Marco Tam Tam, who carried a glittering hand drum through the audience while young guests raised their arms, holding glowing, multicolored wands that illuminated the darkened room.
Parent committee president Helen Papadatos formally welcomed the gathered families and dignitaries, articulating the core purpose driving the extensive volunteer effort. “Tonight’s theme, an enchanted evening, truly captures the spirit in this room,” Papadatos said. “Sparkling lights, joyful laughter and a community that comes together to support something we all care deeply about, our children and their school”. She emphasized that events of this scale serve as a powerful reminder of what a united community can build. “Through your support and generosity, you help make this program possible and allow us to create significant resources that will truly benefit our children,” Papadatos added. “Because of you, we can continue to support and create activities, responsibilities, and opportunities to help children learn, grow, and succeed”.
The celebration marked the eleventh consecutive year that the parent committee organized a gathering of this magnitude. The dedicated organizing members began their detailed preparations for the March 14 event in September, dedicating countless hours to secure venues, arrange entertainment, and coordinate the complex logistics. “Members have spent many months, many hours staying up late to prepare this night,” one committee representative noted during the event. The core parent committee team directing the initiative included treasurer Dimitri Panousakis, vice president Sandrine Wimett, community representative Stamatis Tsibariotis, and secretary Ioanna.
Over 120 children from the Demosthenes campus participated in the performances, having rehearsed their routines extensively with their teacher Denise Eleftheratos to ensure the cultural heritage was represented accurately and proudly. The cultural showcase featured the Zaramaros, a traditional song and dance from the region of Thrace typically performed during festive community gatherings to express joy and communal spirit. The students also executed the Bazarkana, another traditional Greek dance from Thrace that expresses joy, liveliness, and a strong collective spirit among the dancers. Furthermore, they presented a traditional island dance from Lefkada, highlighting the diverse regional artistry of Greece. The opening dance, referred to as the little flower, symbolized the simplicity and beauty of nature, mirroring a blossoming flower. A special authentic element of this opening performance involved Stathis Niakandreou, a former student of the Socrates network, who provided the acoustic rhythmic foundation by playing the traditional daouli drum.
The preservation of language, music, and identity remains a central mission for the community leaders and educators in attendance. George Tsitouras, president of the fundraising committee for the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, spoke directly to the civic duty of supporting these educational institutions. “Our children are dancing, bringing great joy for the parents, the grandfathers, and the grandmothers,” Tsitouras said. “Our schools keep Hellenism in Montreal and we are here to help them”. Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal president Vassilis Angelopoulos addressed the crowd to highlight the collective financial achievements of the diaspora and the direct impact of their generosity. The broader community had previously aimed for a specific financial target during their recent radiothon, ultimately surpassing their goals by generating 450,000 dollars. During the gathering, Angelopoulos presented a cheque for 90,000 dollars to the Demosthenes campus, representing one fifth of the total funds raised, which were distributed equally among the five network schools. “We had this honor tonight along with George Tsitouras and the other members of the board of directors to make this presentation and give the message to everyone that we really do what we say,” Angelopoulos said. “To be able to take pride and celebrate together with our children, together of course with the future of Hellenism, we are proud of them”.
The financial contributions generated from the evening support specific structural and educational upgrades for the Demosthenes campus. The development plans include the installation of a comprehensive air conditioning system, the replacement of classroom desks across the entire school, and the integration of new student lockers to create a more comfortable learning environment. Additional resources are allocated to create a dedicated art atelier where the young students can practice painting and visual arts. “This year of course we will have the atelier, a place where children will draw in the school,” an organizer confirmed.
Principal Lison Thibeault expressed her gratitude for the continuous support system surrounding the campus. “The team of parents is always very involved in our school,” Thibeault said. “We are all here with an important goal, which is to receive money for our school, to improve the good of our children”. Georgia Tsakali, the general director of the Socrates Demosthenes school network, commended the vibrant energy within the fully occupied venue, praising the parent committee and the principal for their highly effective collaborative work. “We are here today in the wonderful halls of the Chateau Royale for the dance of the Demosthenes branch, and we are having a very good time,” Tsakali said. “I believe you hear the beautiful music, the hall inside is full and it has a lot of high spirits”.
Following the traditional performances, the evening transitioned into a wider celebration. Disc jockey Peter provided the musical backdrop for the remainder of the night as families filled the dance floor. Attendees participated in a silent auction and a raffle featuring over 17,000 dollars in total rewards, including flight tickets provided by Air Canada. The evening concluded with the drawing of the main prizes. Matthew Ortega won the 5,000 dollar grand prize.
