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| THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES GOPHER NEWS SERVICE |
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July 2026
Demosthenes school dance celebrates Hellenic heritage and secures
funding for campus upgrades
(GIF) article photo
By Antonia Macris
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.
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