From Melbourne to Canberra, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney, the whole of Australia is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution by proudly displaying Greek flags and lighting their iconic monuments blue and white.
Here is the The Greek Herald’s list of which buildings are going Greek this Independence Day.
Canberra:
Under the initiative of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, Greek and Australian flags are proudly flying in various locations across the Canberra CBD today, including at the Vernon Circle, Allara and Nangari Streets, Petrie Plaza, Gold Creek Village and Canberra Shopping Centre.
Tonight, a number of buildings will also be illuminated in blue and white such as the National Carillon Bell Tower, Questacon, the National Capital Authority, Ian Potter House, Black Mountain (Telstra Tower), the National Museum of Australia, The Hellenic Club of Canberra and the Greek Embassy in Australia.
On Wednesday night, the Embassy had a test run of the lights, with President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, John Loukdellis, writing on social media: “Lights being tested and looking magnificent. The Ambassador of Greece in Australia, H.E Mr George Papacostas, has given it the ‘blue light’ of approval.”
READ MORE: Greek colours to light up Canberra monuments in celebration of 200th Independence Day anniversary.
Melbourne:
In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Greek Revolution, the Greek Community of Melbourne has lit up its 15-storey cultural centre in blue and white.
“The spirit of 1821 now shines bright on the 15-storey Greek Cultural Centre. It is important that our message of independence, heroism and resistance is broadcast as far and wide as possible,” President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Bill Papastergiadis, says.
READ MORE: Greek Community of Melbourne lights up cultural centre for Greek Revolution bicentenary.
In addition to the Greek Centre, the Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District (Community), Parish of Saints Anargiri and Oakleigh Grammar will pay tribute towards 200 years of Greek Independence by respectfully and reverently lighting up Saints Anargiri Church.
The lighting effect will take place at 8.30pm on March 26, 2021 and will shine brightly until 12am. Pending weather, the display will be repeated on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 8.30pm – 12am.
This will provide the Hellenic and Orthodox faithful of Melbourne the opportunity to drive by and observe with pride and respect the blue and white flag and heroes from the revolution.
The display will also mark the commencement of The Evzone Collection: A photographic exhibition, to be held at 77-81 Willesden Road, Oakleigh from Saturday, March 27 to Sunday, April 4, 2021.
Adelaide:
Adelaide’s Town Hall will be lit blue and white and the Greek flag will be flying proudly at the front of the building today to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.
Adelaide Deputy Lord Mayor, Mary Couros, told The Greek Herald she’s delighted by the news as it recognises South Australia’s “long-established Greek community.”
“Independence Day is very significant to the community and to support the Greek community is a commitment to the multicultural country that we are built on and sending a message that through unity, we should never forget the importance of freedom and democracy,” Ms Couros says.
The City of West Torrens is also planning a flag raising ceremony on March 25 to acknowledge the Greek community’s contribution.
READ MORE: Adelaide Town Hall goes Greek for the bicentenary of the Greek War of Independence.
Darwin:
Darwin’s Civic Centre has been lit blue and white this week to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
In a post on social media, the City of Darwin also got into the spirit of Greek Independence Day by sharing a quick fact.
“Melbourne may be the ‘Greek-est city outside of Greece’,” the post writes, “but did you know that Darwin has the largest population of Kalymnians? Kalymnos and Darwin signed a sister city agreement in 1982.”
Perth:
The Consulate of Greece in Perth has proudly announced that Perth will also be “dressing up” in blue and white to honour the important bicentennial for Hellenism worldwide.
The Council House, Matagarup Bridge, Mount Street Bridge, Sky Ribbon, Joondalup Drive Bridge, as well as the Northbridge Tunnel entry artwork, will all be lit in the colours of the Greek flag.
“Special thanks to the City of Perth and Lord Mayor of Perth, Basil Zempilas, as well as Mainroads WA, for making it happen. Just enjoy a beautiful night stroll around the City this Thursday!” the Consulate wrote on social media.
READ MORE: March 25: A double celebration of Greek Independence Day and the Annunciation.
Brisbane:
On Wednesday night, St George Greek Orthodox Church in South Brisbane, Queensland was lit up in blue and white, and the Greek flag was flying, to mark the bicentenary.
The Hellenic Dancers of St George Brisbane also performed at the Greek Club to celebrate the momentous occasion.
St George Greek Orthodox Church in South Brisbane. Photos: Facebook. 
Sydney:
The Greek Herald launched its #GreekFlagWeek campaign, asking people to share on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram how we proudly Fly, Share and Post our Greek flags. The movement was a success, with one reader, Titan Cranes, even sending in a photo of his Greek flag flying proudly on a huge crane!
Across town in the Randwick and Canterbury Bankstown Council regions, the Greek flag was raised at the Town Hall and Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre respectively.
Tonight, the Sydney Opera House will also be lit up in blue and white to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Ζήτω η Ελλάδα, Ζήτω η Ελευθερία!
READ MORE: Greek flag colours to be projected on the Sydney Opera House for Greek Independence Day.
