{"id":340,"date":"2021-03-14T04:07:13","date_gmt":"2021-03-14T04:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oreaeleni.org.au\/?p=340"},"modified":"2024-10-29T04:27:30","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T04:27:30","slug":"200-%cf%87%cf%81%e1%bd%80%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%b1-%ce%b1%cf%80%e1%bd%80-%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bd-%ce%b5%ce%bb%ce%bb%ce%b7%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%ba%e1%bc%a0-%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%b1%ce%bd%e1%bc%80%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%b7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oreaeleni.org.au\/en\/200-%cf%87%cf%81%e1%bd%80%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%b1-%ce%b1%cf%80%e1%bd%80-%cf%84%ce%b7%ce%bd-%ce%b5%ce%bb%ce%bb%ce%b7%ce%bd%ce%b9%ce%ba%e1%bc%a0-%ce%b5%cf%80%ce%b1%ce%bd%e1%bc%80%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%b7\/","title":{"rendered":"200th Anniversary of Greek Independence 1821"},"content":{"rendered":"
On March 25, 2021, Greece celebrated 200 years since the start of its struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire with a ceremony to mark a new beginning after years of financial crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After nearly 400 years under Ottoman Turkish rule, Greek revolutionaries launched an uprising in 1821. With help from foreign sympathisers including Britain, France, and Russia, Greece gained its independence in 1832.\nThe Laconian Federation of NSW held an intimate 1821 celebration on 14th March 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally planned to be held in the courtyard of Marrickville\u2019s St. Nicholas Church, rainy weather forced the celebrations into the neighbouring hall.\nMC and Laconian Federation Committee member Chris Apostolakos welcomed guests and honourable dignitaries to the celebration.\nPresent at the event was Konstantinos Giannakodimos, representing the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, the Hon Anthony Albanese, leader of the Labor Party and federal opposition, Hon Courtney Houssos, Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council and President of AHEPA NSW Bill Skandalakis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlthough we are at the other side of the world, we remember and we respect out proud heritage and the events of the 17th of March, 1821. Which, perhaps with the exception of the Battle of Thermpoloyae, is the most significant contribution of Laconians to the tapestry that is Greek history,\u201d Chris Apostolakos said.\n\u201cWe are here to honour the struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors. Not only the sacrifices of the Laconians but of all heroes from all over Greece,\u201d said the president Mr Kokkinakos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On 17 March 1821, war was declared on the Turks by the Maniates, who were a Greek group native to the Mani Peninsula, located in Western Laconia.\nIt was on this same day where 2,000 Maniates, under the command of Petros Mavromichalis, advanced on the Messenian town of Kalamata. There, they united with troops under Theodoros Kolokotronis, Nikitaras and Papaflessas. Six days later, Kalamata was claimed by the Greeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we in the modern era cannot imitate them, let us at least remember them. Let us admire them and above all, be grateful for them,\u201d Kokkinakos added.\n\u201cLet us acknowledge the fighters who gave us our freedom, let us acknowledge and honour the Greeks in the diaspora who showed a great national contribution to the struggle of 1821 and support of our homeland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the speeches was a powerful re-enactment of the oath taken by the Maniates in commitment to the freedom of Greece. The re-enactment was carried out by Vasilis and his group of dancers.\nTo remember the historical events of the revolution of 1821, Anastasia Diasakou Anastasiadis, the Federation's cultural adviser, spoke about the brave efforts of some of Greece\u2019s most well known, and unsung, heroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ensuing speech was by a well-recognised member of the Greek community, Fanis Nikolareas, who wrote a poem to commemorate the events of 1821.\nFrom there, guests enjoyed a musical performance by Cretan performers, who sung the \u2018Hymn of Mani\u2019 and a series of dances by Vasilis and his group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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