Australia, home to Greece’s third largest population outside the motherland, honoured the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence in its own special way.

Memorials and buildings across the country will be ‘dressed’ in blue and white lighting, while a plethora of events commemorate Greece’s national holiday on a fboth ederal and state level.

More specifically, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the NSW Government have decided to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House on 25 March. Following several requests from the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW to project the colours of the Greek flag onto the Sydney Opera House, the Australian icon lit up blue and white in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the declaration of the Greek War of Independence.

“It is a proud moment for the Greek Australian community in NSW, and one that will be shared throughout the world,” said the President of Sydney’s Greek Orthodox Community Harry Danalis.

To celebrate Greek Independence Day in 2021, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW will be presenting The Hymn to Liberty, a symphonic concert of Dionysios Solomos’ famous poem, whose first verses have been adopted as the Greek National Anthem. It will be performed by Maria Yiakoulis, George Karantonis, Leon Vitogiannis, and a thirty-piece orchestra conducted by George Ellis. This event is presented as part of the 39th Greek Festival of Sydney.

Aside from the much photographed Sydney Opera House, several emblematic buildings of Melbourne will also be lit in blue and white, as confirmed by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence.

The Chairman of the Greek National Day Council for Victoria 2021, Mr Tony Tsourdalakis had sent a letter to the Premier back on 29 October 2020, suggesting that the Parliament building be lit in rays of white and blue as part of the 1821 commemorations.

Among the possible ideas and events to honour and mark the anniversary, the Council had also suggested an official state reception in the confines of Parliament House or Government House in the presence of the heads of state; the hosting of the official Presidential Guard photo exhibition in Parliament House, the lighting of the Bolte Bridge with rays of blue color on Thursday 20th May marking the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and special references during the parliamentary sitting.

 

 

Meanwhile, Ms Spence, represented Premier Daniel Andrews earlier today at the Shrine of Remembrance event held by the Organisational  Committee for Greek National Day of Victoria 2021. The heavy rain did not deter officials and the Greek Community from attending.

In his message, Mr Andrews aside from his reference to 1821 highlighted among other things that “one cannot be a resident of Victoria and not be a Philhellene”.

“We are all Philhellenes, in this state where the biggest community of Greeks outside Greece resides”, he said.

Earlier, Senator and Minister Jane Hume, representing the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, stressed the importance of the 200 years from Greece’s independence not just for Greek people but for the western world in general. Ms Hume made several statements on the influence of Greek culture on every aspect of life in Australia.

Andrew Giles MP, representing Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Neil Angus MP, representing Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien as well as the Shrine’s Governor, officer Steve Campbell-Wright were in attendance.

The Committee’s convenor, Mr Tsourdalakis, thanked everyone from behalf of the Organisational Committee for the Greek National Day of Victoria 2021 while listing the prestigious events scheduled to commemorate Greece’s biggest national day.

Consul General for Greece in Melbourne Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis, gave the main speech ahead of the liturgy performed by Bishop of Dervis Ezekiel. Bishop of Northcote Evmenios was also there alongside several state and community officials.