Montrealers march alongside Trudeau, Plante at Greek Independence Day parade

A mix of Greek, Canadian and Quebec flags lined Jean-Talon Street in Parc-Extension Sunday afternoon for the Greek Independence Day parade.

Hundreds of people, many of them wearing blue and white – the colours of Greece’s flag – braved the chilly morning and wet snow in Montreal.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante were in attendance.

The parade marks the start of Greece’s revolt against the Ottoman Empire on March 25, 1821.

“It represents our fight for freedom,” said Eleftheria Simantirakis, a dancer with La Troupe Folklorique Grecque Syrtaki. “And I don’t know if our culture would be here if it wasn’t for this fight. And it’s really important to remember that and where we came from.

“We’re just celebrating and enjoying being Greek.”

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Bundled-up students from several Greek schools in Montreal took part in the parade, as well as members of various Greek community groups.

Some got to walk the parade for the first time. Stavroula Roufos is one of the three sixth graders from École Socrates-Démosthène chosen to be a flagbearer in this year’s parade.

“I’m Greek, so like, we were freed from the Turks. And I’m very happy to represent our school with the Greek flag,” said Stavroula.

Panagiotis Kopitis was another flagbearer this year.

“I’m very proud to be Greek,” he said. “And I’m very proud to be a Canadian at the same time. Freedom… in some other countries, they have to go to war… Since we have it, enjoy it.”