Independence Day... Greece Style

After our return from Santorini, my apartmentmates and I decided to take the couple of days we had off from classes to relax and enjoy some good old Greek nationalism. On Monday the city of Athens put on a parade much like the ones we see in the United States around Memorial Day with all different ages marching and playing instruments, as well as riding in floats and throwing candy into the throng of spectators along the rode.

Tuesday, the official Independence Day of Greece (March 25th) brought about a different type of parade. The Prime Minister himself said that it would be a display of Greek military strength and power. It was exactly that. Representatives from every branch of the military were there. Army, navy, air force, police, and firefighters all marched in unison down the streets of the city center. Tanks and machine guns, medical vans and firetrucks all rolled across the pavement with great verocity and might, shaking the ground as they passed. Overhead flew fighter jets and helicopters as men and women in all manner of dressed marched in front of us. There were people in carrying guns, men in wetsuits, people carrying rocking climbing gear, others in dressed in white and carrying skiis. A display of Greece's defense against biological warfare could be seen in the people dressed in gas masks and plastic jumpsuits. The firefighters wore helmets of silver that reflected the sun, while others marched in full silver, heat-repellent suits. This display was impressive and transfixing. It certainly met its goal of inspiring a strong sense of pride as well as confidence in the Greek military and the stability of Greece as an independent nation.

It is interesting to note the contrast of such a parade in Greece versus the typical Independence Day celebration in the States. While there was, to some degree, the same amount of merriment and holiday, America would not so readily display all of its weapons and various military strengths to the general public, where it can be easily photographed and studied. There was something very Greek about the parade and its grandeur. The emphasis on Greece and its strength is a trait visible in the everyday actions of Greeks, so this parade was a hyperbolized version of this. And nothing made it more clear to me that I was in Greece than the passing of the guards. Decked out in their traditional dress, all towering feet above my head, their distinct look and style of marching took away any doubt or sudden lapse of awareness from the audience that they were, in fact, in Greece.

I am so glad I got to see the parade and feel the strong presence of Greek pride (stronger than I've felt before). It was an experience I will not soon forget and I only wish that my words could do it the justice it deserves.