In the blue and white colors of iconic buildings from around the world

“Following pertinent pertinent suggestions from several of our Authorities and following the instructions of the Minister, please, as part of the celebration of 200 years of the Greek Revolution, if local conditions permit and adequate infrastructure exists, investigate with The Principles of the authorities the possibility to illuminate an important monument / building in their area with the Greek flag or the Greek colors, on March 25, with the aim of promoting the emblematic anniversary in this way.». Thus begins the urgent note from the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Themistocles Demiris On the subject of Illumination of iconic buildings around the world on March 25, as part of your celebration Of the greek revolution.

This is an arrest of the Secretary General himself, who is a distinguished and experienced diplomat. THE Subject for his friends, he cooperated with the minister and indeed a well-coordinated operation was launched. Demonstrating reflections that in some cases went beyond the well-known bureaucratic perception, embassies and consulates were invited to participate. “On the one hand, the different events must be properly prepared from a technical point of view, so that they can be carried out in an even, imaginative and creative way.”

In turn, the Greek ambassadors in all corners of the world mobilized. They contacted the local authorities, conveying the wish and noble request of Athens to show the most important anniversary for Greece. The reason for this extroversion is that this anniversary does not only concern the Greeks. This struggle marked the first liberation movement for national independence. “The world is Greece that is expanding. Greece is the world that is shrinking”, wrote Victor Hugo, expressing the solidarity movement of origin that arose to support him Greek Revolution.

The Philhellenic current that developed in many European countries and in America, before and during the Revolution of 1821, offered significant help to the Greek struggle. THE landmark building lighting and the presence of the Greek flag or its colors in all corners of the globe is therefore a reminder of that struggle, but also of the Philohellenic “fever”. A global celebration, then, for the founding of the first independent state in the Balkans, which was made possible, not only by the great sacrifices of the Greek people but, in part, and by the pressure exerted by the Hellenic current on the Great Powers of the epoch.

As always, some ambassadors went overboard. They addressed the political and municipal authorities, in the public, but also in the private sector. They were not discouraged by the no they received. Rather, they persisted and found imaginative solutions. Others barely carried out the order of the Central Service, leaving Athens in the dark for positive or negative results. However, there were countries that responded warmly. Instead, did others choose to offer the bare minimum? Others quietly refused and others who “opened a door” to the appeal of Athens, adopting, in effect, crude language that was far from diplomatic.

THE Poland agreed to illuminate its emblematic building Warsaw. The Greek ambassador there Miguel Efstratios Daratzikis informed the Chancellery that “I presented an idea to illuminate a load of History and symbolism of the Presidential Palace (facade) ”. It continues to report, in fact, that an official of the presidency asked to know a central motto, the message of the Greek Revolution. The ambassador suggested the motto “For our freedom and yours”. That’s what he said Polish physician Alexander Kuzansand that he came to Greece and participated in the Revolution of 1821.

THE Canada It belongs to the countries that responded, rushing to honor Greece and the Greek community that lives there. In your town hall Vancouver wave the blue and white flag. The City Council has raised not one, not two, but 56 flags for the historic anniversary. Despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, this year expats will meet their cars at the church of Agios Nikolaos and Agios DimitriosThis is where this original parade will begin.
Australia also belongs to the fervent followers of Greece.

The famous Opera of Sydney will light up with its colors Greek flag to honor the anniversary in this way. The relevant announcement was made by his prime minister. State of New South Wales. The expatriate senator was instrumental in this decision Wise Kotsias well as the Greek community.

In the USA there is also a campνια. the I like it Francisco and the Boston it is one of the participating cities. Your Town Hall I like it Francisco will be illuminated with greek flag colors from March 19 to 25, while the flag is raised. The consulate there and the United Hellenic American Societies of California United forces. Your president Tasos Painter I declare that ““Greeks and Philhelenes around the world continue to unite in favor of freedom and democracy.” Other public buildings are also expected to be illuminated. Under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Washington, the educational organization College Year in Athens and the Consulate General of Greece in Boston co-organized an online event, entitled “Greece of 1821 and America. Message of freedom”. An eminent historian analyzed the sources and manifestations of the American Philhellenic movement.

At Belgium, at the Manneken Pis, will be “dressed” as Evzonas. The famous statue in Brussels will be transformed into a special ceremony that will take place in the presence of the Greek ambassador there, Dionysios Kalavbrezos. Yet bad language speaks for itself “Many words and few works”, since it was not possible to raise the flag nor to illuminate it.

Ireland will also respond to the Greek request. Relations between the two countries are very good and we must not forget that a few days before, the green light was lit in Panathinaikos Stage, thus participating in the celebration of their Day Saint Patrick. Last year, I was dressed in green Hadrian’s Gate. In Romania Ambassador Grammata visited Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, where there is a department of Modern Greek Studies. Your building will be illuminated Universitywith the Greek flag on the national holiday of Greece. In LatviaYes, a building will be illuminated, but not on March 25, but on March 23! In Finland, lighting of the historic building, which is the seat of the Prime Minister and which is located in the central square of Helsinki.

But there were also countries that did not want to participate in the celebrations. Some were graceful in their denial and others provocative, as mentioned above. Your case is indicative Denmark. At the request of Ambassador Nikolaos there Κοτροκόη, the answer was starkly negative. Even though Mr. Κοτροκόης sent a series of proposals, The Secretariat of Parliament rejected them all. In particular, he responded that Parliament raises foreign flags only during visits by foreign leaders.

He also refused to illuminate the building, arguing that “We just don’t have that kind of tradition.”. It is striking that the Danish side has refused to participate in any of the proposed events, claiming that “There is not enough time.” It even marked the 200th anniversary “A political event that he does not deal with”. The Greek ambassador did not give up. He prepared a videotaped message for Danish journalists and the other embassies in Copenhagen. He tried to collaborate with the Hellenic Institute of Denmark, but also to create a video with children of Greek neo-immigrants. The Danish palaces did not even respond. Finally, he went to the Union of Industries, which was the only one that accepted the lighting of his building, which is located in a central area of ​​the city.

Or did not show a corresponding state of mind ambassador of Sweden. The Swedish side flatly rejected the Greek proposal. The Greek Ambassador in Stockholm Andrew ΦρυγανάςIn fact, he did not even inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the excuse that since the answer was no, he was not ordered to report to the Central Service!

Neither Netherlands He responded to the request to celebrate the Greek anniversary, lighting a landmark building, but forcibly agreed to place the Greek flag on a hill. The strangest answer came from Spain. Despite the ambitious efforts of the Greek ambassador there, the response from both the government and the municipality reminded Scrooge: “If you want something to shine, pay the light”! THE ItalyHowever, the Greek embassy also responded to Rome You have already made the necessary arrangements. The misery displayed by partners and allies on such an issue does not overshadow the significance of the anniversary, but it shows that such honorary acts are taking place in every corner of the world. That is why Greek diplomacy should not simply ignore the answers.

As it is imposed in international relations, those who have insulted Greece should find it in front of them. How; In matters of interest to them, Athens must at least show caution, if not denial, in order to sends the message that such behaviors are not gratuitous. There are many opportunities both in the EU and in NATO.

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