As young Greek Australians we are constantly reminded of the importance of the 25th of March, as the day the Greeks finally rose up against the ‘malevolent’ Turks and thus began a long struggle for Greek independence.

The younger generation of Greek Australians are frequently perplexed on how they should feel when this day comes around each year; additionally, they question the connection they have to the Greek revolution but also to the Greek culture? Furthermore, do they feel a stronger connection to Anzac Day?

The 25th of March is a momentous day for all Greeks around the world as we remember the brave warriors who fought to liberate Greece. However, the perceptions we young Greek Australians have of this day differs from the older generations, as they grew up in a close-knit Greek community. A direct result of this misperception is that Greeks have slowly become part of mainstream Australia. Furthermore, intermarriages have added to this misperception as it has distorted their sense of identity and connection to their culture and history.

In Melbourne, as in other major cities around Australia, the 25th of March is celebrated by thousands of Greeks and Philhellenes. The annual march to the Shrine of Remembrance is commonly made up of several Greek organisations such as schools, colleges and the Australian Hellenic community.

Furthermore, the Lonsdale Street Festival in Melbourne usually takes place after the march. This is where different organisations attempt to promote the Greek culture and belief. However, these attempts are flawed, as the Greek culture, way of life but also the way in which Greeks celebrate is unfamiliar with the youth. As a result, the younger generation of Greek Australians has a tenuous identification to its Greek history and culture.

The younger generation of Greek Australians are bewildered about their Greek identification to the 25th of March, especially when compared to Anzac Day, as they question whether they feel more of a connection to their Greek ancestors or to their place of birth. Therefore the younger generation may often feel a stronger connection with Anzac Day; due to the fact they were born and raised in Australia. However, they feel more ethnic pride towards the 25th of March, because after 400 years of Ottoman rule, the Greek spirit uprose and began the fight to liberate Greece, so the future generations of Greeks could grow up in a free society. On the other hand, Anzac Day commemorates a war where the Anzacs were fighting under the British flag and for the king. Here it is reasonable for Greek Australians to feel more of an identification with 25th March because the Greeks fought to free Greece and not to the demands of a ruling power.

Although the younger generation of Greek Australians might hold great respect to the Anzacs, they hold even greater respect for the Greek revolutionists due to their fighting spirit.

The Greek Australian identification with the 25th of March is our undying spirit of carrying on their legacy by calling ourselves Greek.