The Sydney festivities for the Greek national celebration of March 25 returned in all its glory this year as people marched in a parade to the Sydney Opera House for the first time since 2019.
This year marked a return to form after a hiatus which saw the event at the Opera House cancelled in recent years due to COVID-19 and renovations of the famous monument.
The events for the 203rd anniversary of Greek Independence Day, organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Greek Orthodox Community (GOC of NSW), began with a eulogy at the cathedral of the Annunciation of our Lady in Redfern.
Following this was a memorial service for the fallen at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, with wreaths being laid by politicians, diplomats, as well as representatives of numerous community organisations, including members of Greek associations at Sydney’s universities.
Thousands then marched from Martin Place to the forecourt of the Opera House, with Archbishop Makarios among those leading the parade, something which is believed not to have not happened in 35 years.
The official programme then proceeded at the Opera House with numerous guests delivering speeches.
Archbishop Makarios expressed sincere pleasure that the Independence Day parade and festivities were able to return to the Opera House.
“Today it is a great joy that all Greeks and philhellenes have gathered here at this iconic Sydney Opera House,” Makarios said.
The GOC president, Harry Danalis, remarked that this day is an excellent chance for all to reminisce on the success of our ancestors in retaining their Hellenic identity during the period of Ottoman occupation.
“The near 400 years had not extinguished the language, religion, or the culture of the Greek people. They believed in their freedom and that it would eventually come,” Danalis said in his speech.
Speaking on behalf of the Hellenic Republic was Theodoros Livanios, the alternate minister of interior, who is currently visiting Australia.
Livanios stressed that the most important lesson learnt from the Greek revolution is the significance of unity.
“When the Greeks were united, they were able to defeat the largest empires of the world. But when they were divided, a lot of the time we had serious problems,” he said.
The High Commissioner of Cyprus to Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, mentioned that Cypriots took part in the Greek revolution and celebrate the March 25 with us while also urging the crowd to similarly gather later this year for the 50th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus.
“I would be very happy if all of us here today protest on the streets of Sydney on the July 20, to show that we do not forget about Cyprus and that 50 years is long enough,” he said.
Courtney Houssos, minister for finance, also praised the return to the Opera House after five long years.
She elaborated on the impressive resilience of the Greek people as they managed to maintain their identity and carry it on to numerous generations throughout the years of Ottoman occupation.
“Days like today are an extraordinary opportunity for us to pass on those same traditions to our own children,” Houssos said.
Kosmas Dimitriou, president of the Inter-Communities Council of NSW of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, concluded the formal proceedings with a vote of thanks to the crowd for all their support as well as participation in the day’s events (especially the parade).
“Today we acknowledge the heroes of 1821. Those heroes raised the banner of freedom on this day…we remain indebted to Greece for gifting to the world democracy, freedom and dignity, ideals and concepts that were revolutionary for their time,” Dimitriou said.
Intermittently between all the speeches were dances performed by numerous dance groups as well as two poem recitals by GOC Greek language high school students: «Το θούριο του Ρήγα Φεραίου» by Emmanuel Kasadelis and «25 Μαρτίου» by Lia Pappas.
The Australian and Greek national anthems were sung as well the song “Να’τανε το ’21” by the Combined Choir of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Day Colleges of St Spyridon, All Saints Grammar and St Euphemia.
Along with the aforementioned guests were numerous attendees at the day’s events, including the ambassador of Greece in Australia, Stavros Venizelos, the consul general of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, minister Sofia Kotsis, MP Eleni Petinos, federal minister Tony Burke, bishops and priests of the Archdiocese, the heads of the three Greek orthodox colleges in Sydney (St Spyridon, All Saints Grammar and St Euphemia), and presidents or other representatives of community organisations.