Eight flags over Federation Square mark a muted Greek National Day

Eight Greek flags lent colour to a drab Federation Square on gray day in Melbourne marking 25 March, Greece’s National Day.

It was a against the odds that there would be any flag raising in the famous Melbourne location given all the restrictions on all public gatherings to combat Covid-19. The flags that were donated by the Greek Consulate of Melbourne went up with few in attendance.

READ MORE: Cancellation of 25 March Greek National Day parade due to coronavirus

The flags were raised to mark the 199th year since Greece fought for and won its independence. Just a simple proud statement that was made in Melbourne thanks to the efforts of Jacob Garibaldis of the Greek School of Language and Culture to allow for the raising of the flag at iconic city location.

In Greece, people have been invited to come out onto their balconies at noon to wave their flags and sing the national anthem.

A pair of seagulls and a lone tram passenger may have been the only witness of this year’s flagraising to commemorate Greece’s National Day.