Sights and Sounds Festival at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church Saturday

More than 300 Greek Orthodox teens will get their chance to show off their music, art and more in the annual Sights and Sounds Festival at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church Saturday.

The participants, all in grades 7-12, come from 13 Greek Orthodox parishes in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan area and have labored for months on their craft.

The festival features more than 1,000 sights—artwork, crafts, and photography in more than 24 categories—and 20 hours of sounds—solo, group, vocal, and instrumental musical performances, dances, and theatrical presentations, in both Greek and English.

Highlights include Greek folk dancing and plays in Greek, performed entirely by the Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA) members from each church.

Participants get help from parents and youth volunteers in the months leading up to the annual show.

“We began practicing in late December and have been doing it every weekend,” said Spiro Koltsaklis, a youth advisor for the St. Thomas GOYA members, who grew up participating in Sights and Sounds. “It’s such a joy to see everything come together for these kids, from the singing to the dancing to the acting. Their enthusiasm and spirit makes me want to come back each year.”

That passion to help the youth experience and celebrate their creativity is echoed by Father Anastasios Bourantas, of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Media, PA, who serves as Youth Commissioner and has led the event for nine years.

“It gives every youth the possibility of exhibiting their God-given talents,” he said. “It does not exclude anyone, but is inclusive. That inclusion allows us to become a church of unified people. Everything here is art; everything is beautiful.”

The annual festival began in parishes in northern New Jersey and has been a part of Greek life in the Delaware Valley since 1985.

Support for the event comes from all ages, with members of the St. Thomas Seniors Group “Kali Parea” (which translates in English as “Good Friends”) preparing food for the event. More than 40 volunteers gather to judge the entries, including teachers and members of the local community.

The program begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and concludes with dinner and awards at 7 p.m. Admission is $20.