Anastasiades takes part in Athens celebrations

President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday attended the military parade held in Syntagma Square in Athens to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821.

Earlier, in a special ceremony, Anastasiades laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. This was followed by inspection of the military parade, under the Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, in the presence of the political and state leadership of the country as well as foreign officials invited to participate in the celebrations.

“We recall with emotion the struggle of the Greek people”, said Sakellaropoulou in a brief address. “This anniversary radiates around the world as a strong message of our historical continuity and tradition,” she added.

This year’s parade was held in strict compliance with health rules. Anastasiades was accompanied by his wife Andri. He will deliver a televised message on the anniversary at 6.30pm Cyprus time.

On Wednesday night Anastasiades attended a dinner hosted by the Greek president.
During his speech there, he noted that the fight for freedom against the Ottoman rule constituted a heroic struggle of Hellenism, the epitome of which was the cry “Freedom or Death”.

“We must acknowledge the important role that Britain, France, and Russia, played during the revolution, especially at the battle of Navarino, during which the Great Powers’ intervention signalled the establishment of the Greek state and the liberation of Greece,” Anastasiades said.

He said the greatness of the Greek revolution “constitutes a guide for own path and will continue to inspire our vision for the survival of Hellenism and the abolition of military troops from Cyprus.”