On Saturday, the 13th of May, over 750 guests attended the 101st Annual Kytherian Debutante Ball at the Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Guest of Honour for the night was the Consulate General of Greece for Sydney, Mr Ioannis Malikourtis, accompanied by his wife, Christiana Stavrou.
Following the National Anthems of Greece and Australia, which Mrs Helen Zerefos, OAM, recited. Archimandrite Christoforos Krikelis congratulated the Kytherian Association of Australia and passed on congratulations from His Eminence Archbishop Makarios.
The gracious and elegant Matron Of Honour was Mrs Jacqueline Caponas, accompanied by her husband, Dr George Caponas. Jacqueline was very attentive in getting to know all the Debutantes, Partners, Flower Girls and Page Boys during the lead-up to the Ball, hosting an elegant afternoon tea in her beautiful home for the Debutantes and Partners and a beautiful day with the flower girls and page boys planting seeds in Centennial Park.
This year, the 101st Debutante Ball saw the most significant cohort of Debutantes, with 19 of them. The Debutantes and their partners showcased an outstanding performance choreographed by Joanne Tsakiridis, the long-standing Greek Dancing teacher for the Kytherian Association of Australia.
The Guest of Honour, Mr Ioannis Malikourtis, the newly appointed Consulate General of Greece, also gave an inspirational speech about Greeks living abroad.
Nick Bourdaniotis presents a plaque of appreciation to the Kytherian Association of Australia and the Nicholas Anthony Aroney Trust for sponsoring The Evzones Collection photographic exhibition of the Greek Presidential Guard (Evzones) in Australia and Greece.
Debutante Partner Paul Hagistefanis sang a song written by himself to the crowd supported by his 2023 Kytherian Ball cohort, who were surrounding him, clapping and singing with pride.
Video of the Matron of Honour Mrs. Jacqueline Caponas dancing with the Debutantes and their partners.
The MC of the evening was John Lazarou (King of Coffee.) He was so impressed by the amount of youth in attendance at the ball. He was quoted on the evening saying, “We are in good hands in Australia preserving the Greek culture and tradition.”
The Kytherian Debutante Ball is an annual event in Sydney, Australia, rich in cultural heritage and traditions. The Debutante Ball is one of the highlights in Sydney's Greek social calendar.
The Debutante Ball is a formal event where young women, typically between the ages of 16 and 17, are introduced to society. It is a celebration of their coming of age and marks their transition from adolescence to adulthood. The event is often attended by family, friends, and members of the local community.
During the ball, the debutantes are traditionally presented to the guests by their partner of choice or another male family member. The young women are usually dressed in elegant ball gowns, wearing white gloves and carrying a bouquet of flowers. The debutantes participate in a formal presentation, where they are introduced one by one to the attendees.
The Kytherian Debutante Ball is not only a social gathering but also an opportunity for the community to celebrate the achievements and aspirations of young women. It is a chance for them to showcase their grace, poise, and cultural heritage. The event may also include live music, dancing, and a formal dinner.
The Debutante Ball is a longstanding tradition in many cultures around the world and serves as a rite of passage for young women. It provides them with an opportunity to engage with their community, form social connections, and establish their place within society.
The night full of ‘kefi’ wouldn’t have been possible without the Ball Committee of the Kytherian Association of Australia, which put many months of effort into organizing such a successful and fantastic event.
Photo Galary of the evening
Images Copyright Bourdo Photography
