PAN-ARCADIAN YOUTH

The Pan-Arcadian Youth Federation of Victoria and Australia was formed on the 13th of July 2000. The very first meeting was held at the Arcadia Centre, 50-56 Batman St. West Melbourne, where about thirty second and third generation Arcadian Youth

attended.

Some of the topics they discussed were:

The formation of an Arcadian Dance and Theatre Group.

To form various sporting teams, to participate in soccer, basketball, volleyball and netball competitions.

To organise special speakers to talk about history, religion,

politics, culture and traditions of Arcadia.

To promote young talented artists in music, art and literature.

Finally, to hold social events where Arcadian Youth can socialise and meet each other.

Recently after its inception, the Youth Federation held two

successful events. One event was held on the 23rd of September to commemorate the Liberation of Tripolis Arcadia. Over two

hundred Arcadian Youth and their friends celebrated this historic day at Lemnos Receptions.

The next day, 24th of September, at the Monastry Axion Esti in Northcote, the Pan-Arcadian Federation of Australia laid a wreath with the presence of the Greek Consul in Melbourne, Mr. Dimitri Anninos. For the first time, a wreath was laid by the Arcadian Youth, Mr. Jim Rammos, the Pan-Arcadian Youth representative had the honor .

On the 28th of September, the Arcadian Youth organised a talk by Mr. Mimis Sophocleous about Arcadia through History. Mr. Mimis Sophocleous gave a recollection of Arcadia through antiquity till the present day. He covered the first communities which were formed in Arcadia, the discovery of Cyprus by Arcadians after the Trojan war. The historical battles during the 1820's where

Theodoris Kolokotronis and his army, liberated Baltetsi, Vervena and Tripolis. These victories in the Peloponnese lifted the spirits of the nation and finally after many years of hard battles and war

defeated the Ottoman Empire.

He also made an important discovery that whoever is in

government in Greece there will always be about four or five

ministers from Arcadia. Finally, his talk was like a discussion where the youth would ask questions or remark on the speaker's comments. It was highly appreciated by the young Arcadians

present.