In the weeks leading up to March 25th, we asked you to celebrate by getting your children, friends and neighbours involved in remembering and honouring this iconic piece of Greek history.
Well your children certainly seemed encouraged, because The Greek Herald received plenty of submissions for the competition: The Greek War of Independence through your eyes.
For the competition, we asked you to any piece of writing or artwork that conveys the history of the Greek War of Independence. The Greek Herald received many incredible submissions, including detailed artworks, delicate poems and historical pieces.
The Greek Herald would like to congratulate Zoe Sigrimis (11), Chrysoula Kirkis (14), Emmanouela Kalaitzidi (10) as the winners of the competition and a $100 Westfields Gift Voucher!
Zoe Sigrimis
Zoe Sigrimis drew an artwork that perfectly represents the battle at Missolonghi. In the photo, the Turks are at the Missolonghi doorway, facing in front of them the Greek resistance fighters. The Missolonghi sieges were some of the longest battles during the Greek revolution.
Here’s what Zoe had to say after finding out she had won:
“I’m happy…kind of surprised because I didn’t expect to win. I was proud just to create this work to show what I’ve learnt about the Greek revolution.”
Emmanouela Kalaitzidi
Emmanouela Kalaitzidi was another artistic winner who drew the famous Laskarina Bouboulina, one of Greece’s finest warriors of the Greek War of Independence. A Greek naval commander, she spent most of her riches to supply ammunition and food for sailors and soldiers under her command.
Here’s what Emmanouelahad to say after finding out she had won:
“I feel very happy and proud about winning the art competition.”
“I drew a heroine who played a very important role for the Greek Independence. From this competition, I have learnt that Rigas’ Velestinlis poem, Thourios, motivated the Greek people to fight for our freedom.”
Chrysoula Kirkis
Chrysoula Kirkis wrote a beautiful poem titled ‘The Great and Visual Journey’, which looks to give readers exactly that. The poem describes in great detail the moments of patience, fear and most importantly, hope, experienced by the resistance fighters.
Here’s what Chrysoula had to say after finding out she had won:
“I can’t believe that I’ve won. I feel shocked and I feel ecstatic for this achievement.”
“My Greek teacher introduced this competition to us, and she told us that we’re celebrating 200 years of independence. I really felt moved and I felt a strong sense of pride and I wanted to take part and reflect upon my Greek roots and how I feel about them.”
“I’d also like to thank The Greek Herald for giving us, the second generation and third generation Greeks, this wonderful opportunity. And I would also like to give a thanks to my family for supporting me to learn about my Greek identity as well as my teachers.”
Opera Australia has confirmed its outdoor event, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, will return as of March 26 with Verdi’s popular La Traviata, after being shut-down earlier this year due to COVID-19.
Greek Australian Director of ‘La Traviata,’ Constantine Costi, spoke to The Greek Herald about his background and his excitement for being at the helm at Opera Australia for the first time.
“This is by far the biggest thing I have ever directed. I’ve got 20 dancers, 10 actors, a chorus of 40 and about 15 principles. In terms of the spectacle, it’s super exciting,” said Constantine Costi and went on to talk about his Greek Cypriot background.
Greek Australian Director of ‘La Traviata,’ Constantine Costi.
“I am Greek Cypriot from my dad’s side. My pappou came here in the late 1940s. He started a little fish shop in Lakemba and then he, my dad, his brother and his siblings all went off to start different versions of De Costi Seafoods.
“I grew up at the fileting bench next to my dad and what this taught me and I can apply in my job at the moment, are all these basic skills. About keeping your composure, about working hard. I can owe all that to my upbringing,” said the young director.
Costi also revealed that although very successful in what he does, he “didn’t grow up in the Opera.”
“I came in quite late. I always had this association that opera was something hard to understand or that it was overwhelming but what I discovered and what I love about it is that on a fundamental level it’s quite simple. It’s an incredibly beautiful, heart breaking, exhilarating story told through the medium of song and music.
Constantine Costi. Photo: Janie Barrett, The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Sometimes the spoken word is not enough to encapsulate the passion of the human experience and I think this is something the Opera does so well,” he said.
Asked what his emotions are when he watches a performance he has directed, Constantine said he’s excited but anxious.
“I always clench on my program but this is because I am aware of the immense amount of work that goes into the creation of the performance. From the lead soprano to the assistant technician, the amount of commitment, passion and the hours it takes to make this happen is amazing.
“I also love when I feel that a perfectly sculptured dramatic moment ripples through the audience and I know that everybody in this audience of hundreds of people is experiencing the same thing at the same time.
“This is some kind of magic that you can’t get elsewhere.”
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour attracts thousands of visitors to Sydney since it began in 2012 and is supported by the NSW Government and the International Foundation for Arts and Culture.
Performance Details: 26 March – 25 April 2021 (Excluding Mondays and Good Friday on 2 April), Performed in Italian with English and Simplified Chinese subtitles. Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes including one interval.
The Greek flag has been raised by the councils of Canterbury-Bankstown and Randwick to recognise the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution and the contribution of the Greek Australian community to their regions.
This is how the events went down.
Canterbury-Bankstown:
To mark the 200th anniversary of Greece’s revolution and war of independence, the City of Canterbury Bankstown held an intimate flag raising ceremony on Wednesday night at Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre.
Canterbury-Bankstown City Mayor Khal Asfour. Photos: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
The event was held at the Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre.
Present were Sophie Cotsis MP, member for Canterbury and the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, Fr Sotiris Drapaniotis as well as members of the community.
“It is important that we raise the flag today here in Earlwood due to many Greeks who live in this area,” said Mayor Khal Asfour opening the ceremony.
He said since the first Greeks arrived in 1829, Greek Australians now make up the seventh largest ethnic group in the country, with more than 22,000 calling Canterbury-Bankstown home.
Sophie Cotsis MP attended the event. Photos: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
Silvie Tsekouras and George Moisidis singing the Greek and Australian national anthems.
“This is something we should all celebrate not only because you came to the country but because you have created a social fabric that it’s so important to all of us,” said the Mayor.
Sophie Cotsis expressed her gratitude to the council for organising the ceremony and referred to the motion she will move at the NSW Parliament on Thursday, along with other MPs of Greek background.
“It is important that we continue with our traditions and with the same passion to be free and be democratic. This is a very proud moment for all of us,” Ms Cotsis said.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, also gave a small speech. Photo: The Greek Herald / Argyro Vourdoumpa.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, said that the Greek Independence bicentenary is an opportunity to celebrate the common values that bind Greece and Australia.
The ceremony concluded with students Silvie Tsekouras and George Moisidis singing the Australian and Greek national anthems and the raising of the flags of the two countries
Randwick City:
Randwick City Councillors and local Greek Australian community members gathered outside the Council Administration building on Thursday morning to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Greece’s War of Independence.
Randwick City Councillors and Greek Australian community members gathered outside the Council Administration building. Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
In an intimate flag raising ceremony, Randwick City Mayor Danny Said met with some of Randwick’s local Greeks and spoke about how important the Greek contribution has been to the district’s development.
“It’s always started with the Castellorizians at Kingsford, I used to frequent the club most often, and we have a great history with St Spyridon Church and School,” Mayor Danny Said said to The Greek Herald.
The event was enjoyed by all. Photo: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
“There is a great Greek community within Randwick City Council and we’re very proud to have it and it’s why we’re very proud to do what we’re doing today.”
All of Randwick’s councillors were in attendance of the ceremony, including Greek Australian Councillors Alexandra Luxford, Harry Stavrinos and Anthony Andrews.
Cr Luxford echoed the Mayor’s comments in highlighting how valuable the contribution of Greeks has been for Randwick, saying the flag raising ceremony is “the least they could do”.
The flag was raised outside the Council Administration building. Photos: The Greek Herald / Peter Oglos.
“It’s a celebration of the Greek people that came to our community, to our city and contributed and this is for them. The Greeks played a big role in Randwick City in the early years so this is the least the city can do for them,” Cr Luxford said.
Cr Stavrinos said today is a day to remember to be proud of being Greek and celebrating “one of the richest cultures in the world”.
A small crowd gathered around the pole as the flag rose to the sound of the Greek national anthem, which echoed across the Randwick street.
“To me, Greek Independence Day is an important day in our culture, Cr Andrews said.
“But the most important thing is to continue the tradition of being Greek and encourage the young people of today to always remember this day as a symbolic day of the Greek people and we do this through out Greek schools, language, culture and dancing,.”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia has issued a message to the Greek Australian community to mark the March 25 double celebration – the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greek Independence Day.
Full Message in English:
“God-loving Brethren, beloved fathers and my beloved children,
Today, our Church celebrates the momentous event of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, that is, the announcement to the Virgin Mary by Archangel Gabriel of the joyful message of the Incarnation of our Lord. We refer to a joyful message precisely because we know that the Incarnation of God was the starting point for the salvation of humanity.
But what were the feelings that gave rise in Panagia when she heard from the Archangel the words: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus”? We are given the answer by Luke the Evangelist, who presents to us, on the one hand, the perplexity and bewilderment that Panagia felt upon hearing that she would conceive the Son and Word of God and, on the other hand, Panagia’s redemptive phrase that she is ready to accept the will of God: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
This dialogue confirms that Panagia’s obedience to the will of God was not from coercion but the result of free will and, at the same time, deep faith. While once, Eve’s disobedience, also the result of free will, led people away from God and enslaved them to sin, on the contrary now, the Virgin Mary consciously chooses obedience and grants eternal life to fallen humanity.
It is not a coincidence that this significant ecclesiastical event is celebrated together with the start of the Greek Revolution. We praise God who has counted us worthy, today, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of this historic day, noting what has been indelibly engraved in the collective consciousness of our people – the inseparable relationship of our Hellenic Nation with our Orthodox Faith and Christ’s Church. Let us never forget that the blood of the martyrs, who died for our Faith, and that of the heroes of our Nation, runs through our veins.
Furthermore, we note that the enslaved Greeks, despite their understandable hesitation, concern or unrest that they must have felt at the announcement of the proclamation of the Revolution, nevertheless, they participated in the uprising of their own free will and obeyed the voice of their Greek Orthodox conscience. Because of them, the following generations of Greeks were able to live with liberty and free of the Ottoman yoke, just like, because of Panagia, humanity was freed from ancestral sin and could re-enter the door of Paradise once again.
My beloved friends,
If there is something that we must reflect on during this double celebration, it is that we ought to hold high in our conscience, and pass on to future generations, the ideals of our Faith and Nation. The best way of honouring the Virgin Mary and the struggles of our ancestors is none other than to prepare our hearts so that in every difficult decision that we are called to make in our lives, we always put forward our love and our dedication to God and our Homeland.
In Sydney, on the 25th day of March, 2021, with fervent paternal prayers, † Archbishop MAKARIOS, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
The Feast of the Annunciation in Sydney:
The Annunciation of the Theotokos was celebrated today at the Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney. The Divine Liturgy was preceded by the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Sevastia Seraphim, supported by Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and His Grace Bishop Emilianos.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Hierarchical Head of the Cathedral, His Eminence Archimandrite Fr. Christoforos Krikelis, read the message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for the double celebration of March 25.
In the same spirit, His Eminence Seraphim, addressing the congregation, spoke of a double celebration, the freedom from the slavery of the devil with the Annunciation of the Virgin and the redemption of the Greek Nation from Turkish slavery.
“We celebrate spiritual freedom, but also national freedom today,” he underlined and wished: “May God allow us to celebrate these days with pride, praising the One who gave us the spiritual rebirth, but also honouring the Heroes of ’21 who gave us freedom with their blood.”
It is noted that the official celebration of the national anniversary in Sydney will take place on Sunday, March 28 at 10am. A doxology service will be held at the Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, Sydney, followed by a memorial service and wreath-laying at 1pm at the Martin Place Cenotaph.
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.
Greek pride is on full display in Canberra. Photos: John Loukadellis / Facebook.
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.”
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.
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.
Saints Anargiri Church will also be lit tonight.
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.
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.
Outside of Darwin’s Civic Centre. Photo: Facebook.
“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.
The Matagarup Bridge in Perth. Photo: Facebook.
“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.
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!
Titan Cranes sent this photo as part of our #GreekFlagWeek.
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.
Alex Hawke MP, the Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, has sent a message of unity to the Greek Australian community to mark the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution today.
In his message, Mr Hawke reflects on his Greek heritage and thanks the community for continuing to strive for the ideals of democracy, freedom and justice.
Full Message in English:
“I join with the more than 400,000 Australians of Greek heritage in commemorating the 200th anniversary of Greece’s victory against the Ottoman Empire, and its achievement of Independence.
As the proud first generation son of a Greek migrant mother, this important milestone provides me a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Greek Australians to our great nation.
The history of Greek migration to Australia is closely tied to the War of Independence, with the first Greek settlers arriving in Australia not long after the beginning of the War in 1821. This day allows us to celebrate this rich history, and the significant contributions made by the Greek community.
Whether it be the principles of democracy, freedom and justice, or the works of the ancient Greek philosophers – the contributions of the Greek nation and its culture are forever linked to the development of modern human civilisation.
Even in a year of unprecedented challenges, the Greek community has continued to strive for these ideals – with your strength, resilience and community spirit on full display – something I thank and commend you for.
I extend my best wishes to all Australians commemorating the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence.”
The Leader of the Opposition and the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese, has sent a message to the Greek Australian community to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
In his message he speaks about his own electorate of Grayndler having a “thriving Greek community”.
Full Message in English:
Today, is a proud day to be Greek.
As leader of the Australian Labor Party, I take great pleasure in wishing the Greek Australian community a very special 200th anniversary of the Hellenic Republic and the establishment of Modern Greece.
Australia is home to the third largest Greek population outside of Greece. My own electorate of Grayndler has a thriving Greek community.
The Greek community, wherever they are in the world, are strong, proud and flourishing. This is because Greeks today want to pay respect and celebrate the sacrifices of their mothers and fathers.
So today, we celebrate the 400 years since the beginning of the end of the Ottoman Empire’s occupation of Greece and the 200 years since the great Greek revolt in the Peloponnese.
I wish our Greek community well as they celebrate the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence.
Ελευθερία ή θάνατος, Freedom or Death, has lost none of its meaning, its resonance, or its power in the two centuries since.
Greece’s Independence Day reminds us that millions of Greeks have been living abroad for the past 3,000 years.
This has prompted filmmakers Billy Cotsis and Basil Genimahaliotis to seek out these Greek community pockets and document how they remain in touch with their Greek heritage.
The Pallaconian Brotherhood announced that they will be joined by Billy Cotsis and Basil Genimahaliotis on the March 26 at 7PM to discuss their careers in international documentary filmmaking, with a particular focus on their work related to the Greek people (Greko/Griko) of Southern Italy (Magna Graecia).
Cotsis has visited almost 60 countries to see the Greek communities, 80 Greek islands, written over 350 articles, five books, and has (since 2012) created 18 short film and documentary projects, as well as managing his own blog https://herculean.wordpress.com/.
“The Pallaconian Youth have a passion for supporting the stories, ideas and people that help make Hellenism thrive around the world, and we see a great story in the work of Billy and Basil that needs to be told,” Miltiadis Paikopoulos, president of Pallaconian Youth said.
“Their work, promoting the vivid culture and history of the Greeks of Southern Italy (Magna Graecia) is a part of the living fabric of Hellenism that our ancestors fought so hard to preserve in 1821.
“The freedom to be Greek, and to spread Hellenism, is a gift that we must nourish and grow; I certainly feel that these two have helped grow Hellenism, and am proud to support them and their future projects, and I hope all who listen to our interview on the 26th feel the same way”.
The Palloconian Youth will chat with the filmmakers and play some samples of their recent work via zoom and Facebook. The public will be welcome to ask additional questions.
This is a prelude to an onsite presentation of Magna Graecia: the Greko of Calabria in Melbourne in September by the Palloconian Brotherhood.
As Australians reflect on what it means to be a Greek and the importance of 25 March, Mr Paikopoulos goes on to say:
“Although not discussed as widely or often as I’d like, the contributions of the Laconians and the region of Laconia were instrumental to the declaration of Greek Independence, and our successful liberation from the Ottoman Turks.”
“From 1453 – 1821, the Laconians had been involved in almost every major attempt at rebellion or independence and epanastasi was declared at Areopolis by the Laconians on the 17th of March 1821, over a week in advance of the 25th of March.
“Hopefully through the lectures, interviews and events that our association has organised, the Laconian efforts for Greek freedom will be made accessible to a broader range of people.”
Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, George Papacostas, has sent a message of thanks to the Greek Australian community to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Ambassador Papacostas writes that the Greek Australian community is a “bridge between Greece and Australia” and thanks them for their contribution to the homeland.
Full Message in English:
“Dear compatriots,
It is an honour and a privilege for me to address you on the occasion of the Bicentennial celebration of the commencement of the Greek War of Independence.
The 25th of March, 200 years ago, marked a new era in the Nation’s fight for regaining democracy, freedom and independence.
The emblematic heroes of the 1821 Revolution taught us, with their example, the values of fighting for the noble causes of the nation and for the keeping and promotion of the national conscience, identity and heritage.
Thanks to their sacrifice, Greece is a modern, prosperous, democratic nation today, a member of the European family and a pillar of stability and peace in the Balcans and the wider Mediterranean region.
Greece is also a reliable partner in the international arena, promoting a positive and dynamic cooperation agenda in international relations and abiding by the international Law rules. Additionally, its economy resists the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and offers a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to invest in it.
Dear Compatriots,
You are the bridge between Greece and Australia with which our country shares strong bonds of blood and maintains excellent bilateral relations in all fields.
I would like to thank you, not only for keeping the Greek civilization, culture, history and language alive in Australia, but also for your valuable and very important contribution in maintaining and promoting the exemplary bilateral relations for the benefit of both nations and countries.
Χρόνια πολλά, Ζήτω το Ελληνικό Έθνος, Ζήτω η Ελλάδα, Long live Hellas!
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and his wife, Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis, welcomed Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall along with their other dignitaries, to the newly refurbished National Gallery, as celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence in Athens got underway on Wednesday night.
The PM, Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, and National Gallery Director, Marina Lambraki-Plaka, all gave a small speech, followed by a tour of the gallery and a relevant exhibition marking the anniversary.
In his speech, the Mitsotakis stressed that the National Gallery “belongs not only to Greeks. It also belongs to our friends from abroad who join us on this anniversary.”
“Today’s event sends a renewed message of dynamism at the dawn of the third century of Greek liberty, because the National Gallery has never been a mere repository of artistic creation. On the contrary, it is a living organism that has followed the nation’s progress,” he added.
Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (right) with Greece’s PM. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.
Greece’s PM with his wife (right) and Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Photo: AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis.
The event was also be attended by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades, French Ambassador to Greece, Patrick Maisonneuve, British Ambassador Kate Smith, the President of the Greece 2021 committee, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and her spouse Theodoros Aggelopoulos, and Louvre Museum President, Jean-Luc Martinez.
The day’s proceedings concluded with an official dinner at the Presidential Mansion at 8.30 pm.
During the official dinner, Sakellaropoulou told foreign dignitaries that the legacy of the Greek Revolution of 1821 in which Greeks sought their independence from Ottoman rule is “universal.”
The night concluded with a formal dinner, where speeches were given by some of the dignitaries. Photo: Sigma Live.
“The legacy of 1821 is not only Greek. On the contrary, it carries the universality of the ideas and values of its time,” she said in her speech.
“We return to this acquis on the occasion of the 200th anniversary. To the challenges we face today, starting with the pandemic, which is testing our health and freedom, but also in other critical issues, such as climate change and the dialogue of cultures,” she added.
The official dinner. Photo: Ekathimerini.
Military parade and 200 Greek flags at Syntagma Square:
This event comes as celebrations are set to culminate in a military parade, accompanied by air force overflights, in central Athens on Thursday, Greece’s Independence Day.
But with Greece struggling with a renewed surge in coronavirus cases and deaths, the public will not be allowed to attend the parade, which will be broadcast live by state television.
200 Greek flags have been placed in Syntagma Square to mark the anniversary. Photo: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis.
A garden mural at Syntagma Square. Photo: Kostas Bakoyannis.
Major avenues in the center of the capital will be closed to traffic for the parade, while thousands of police were being deployed for security. Authorities have banned seven rallies and protests that had been planned in Athens on Thursday.
The parade is to be attended by Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, French Defense Minister, Florence Parly, and Cypriot President, Nicos Anastasiades.
Syntagma Square has already been decorated for the occasion with 200 Greek flags, as well as a garden mural with the words 1821-2021.
Artists join the celebrations as buildings light up blue:
On Wednesday at 12pm, 21 writers and 21 artists also left their mark along the Grand Promenade in Zappeion, Athens, by leaving their creative works of art around the area.
Some of the artworks on the Grand Promenade. Photos: The Greek Herald / Ilias Karagiannis.
The pieces range from graphic art of Greek heroes and heroines, to poems and literature. The Greek Herald’s correspondent, Ilias Karagiannis, captured some of the beautiful pieces.
This comes as the Acropolis, Greek Parliament Building, the White Tower of Thessaloniki, the Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium and the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) have all been lit in blue and white to add to the celebrations.
