“Freedom or Death” was the motto of our brave compatriots on
the 25th March 1821 who fought and died for the independence of our
country.
The 25th of March is the Greek Day of Independence and is celebrated annually in Greece, Cyprus, and in many countries around the world, due to the Greek Diaspora. It coincides with the Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, when Archangel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she would bear the Son of God.
This year is very special as 200 years of freedom is
celebrated with pomp and pride, despite the coronavirus plague that haunts us
all.
Many friendly countries are celebrating with us by
illuminating their distinctive landmarks in blue and white, to honour our
country’s Independence Bicentennial, like cities in Australia, the USA, Canada
and in many European states.
In Greece, we used to celebrate this great day with military
and school parades, where all the hierarchy attended, like the President of the
Hellenic Republic, the Prime Minister, the heads of the armed forces and also,
numerous people were present, both Greek and foreigners.
This year, despite the bicentennial, we shall watch the
military parade on television, due to the coronavirus and listen to important, patriotic speeches. Symbolically, 200 Greek flags
are flying at Syntagma Square in Athens. Greece is coloured blue and white.
The parade is to be attended by the Russian Prime Minister,
Mikhail Mishtustin, Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess
of Cornwall, French Defence Minister, Florence Parly and Cypriot President,
Nikos Anastasiades, who made touching speeches about the event during a meal at
the Presidential Mansion.
All Greeks are very pound of the struggle of our ancestors for freedom.
The world turns Greek:
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