Upper Darby, PΑ – For the eleventh year in a row, the Society of Epirotes of Philadelphia “Omonia”, celebrated their organization in traditional fashion with their annual Tsipourovrathia. The yearly winter event reunites the Delaware Valley’s Epirotes and friends and takes them on a nostalgic journey to their homeland.
Guests packed St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Hall, for the event that featured Yiorgo Bezanis on Clarinet and the Lazaros Paraskevas Band. The crowd filled the church hall and danced the night away to the tradition sounds of Epirus, Greece, where many of the attendees hailed from.
Throughout the evening, waiters and waitresses visited guests at their tables and poured endless shots of Tsipouro for consumption. Each shot was met with stin yigia mas (to our health). The dancing and drinking throughout the evening led to a traditional patsa soup served while still brewing in a stainless steel kettle. Fans and connoisseurs alike, formed long lines for a taste of the garlic scented broth.
The evening concluded with traditional dancing from the region, including a ritual dance known as piperi.