Life as I Know It

My favorite annual event is back.

The Yiasou Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte runs today (Thursday) through Sunday and offers plenty of authentic Greek foods, live Greek music and traditional folk dancing by parish members.

The event, which started in 1978, has become one of Charlotte’s most popular cultural events, drawing visitors from across the region. And in case you’re wondering, yiasou (pronounced “yah-su”) is the Greek word for “hello, goodbye and cheers.”

The festival also features shopping opportunities in the “Agora” open-air market and the Hosanna! Spirit of Orthodoxy Bookstore. In addition, there will be a Greek cultural exhibit with artifacts dating back to 500 B.C. and plenty of art and jewelry available for purchase.

For the first time in the festival’s history, visitors can witness the Ezvones (Presidential Guards) reenact the Changing of the Guards and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The popular tourist attraction takes place in Athens daily in front of the Greek Parliament Building at Syndagma Square and commemorates all of the anonymous Greek soldiers that have fallen in battle.

It all takes place against the backdrop of - and within - the beautiful Greek Orthodox church, which will house the Greek Cultural Exhibit which features artifacts such as Greco-Roman spearheads and coins dating back to 500 B.C. and a living history presentation, “Warriors of Greece.”

But it’s the food that keeps me going back (for what will be my eighth year in a row.)

Here’s a look at some of my favorite foods from the annual event.

Baklava: Layered pastry made of phyloo dough and sweetened with honey; try it with ice cream.

Gyro (pronouced “YEE-roh”): Seasoned lamb and beef in pita with sour cream, garlic sauce, tomato and onion.

Loukoumades: Called “Greek donuts,” they’re balls of fried dough with honey.

Spanakopita: Spinach and feta cheese pie.

Souvlaki: It’s like a gyro except the seasoned lamb is replaced with a Greek shish-kabob.

The 32nd Annual Yiasou Greek Festival takes place today through Sunday at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 E. Boulevard, Charlotte. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. today, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2 and free for children 12 and younger accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more details, visit www.yiasoufestival.org.

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