Greek prime minister walks in Montreal’s Greek Independence Day parade

Montreal’s Greek community gathered in Park-Extension on Sunday to celebrate Greek Independence Day with their annual parade.

The prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in the celebrations.

Patriotism, cultural heritage and unity were at the heart of the event.

“It’s always good that Greece and Canada can collaborate on different projects and investments,” said Chris Adamopoulos, executive director of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal.

“So we’re extremely excited to have both prime ministers here with us today.”

Former Liberal MP Eleni Bakopanos says it’s been 41 years since a Greek prime minister visited Montreal.

“So it’s a unique occasion and so everybody’s happy, we’re happy,” Bakopanos said. “We wanted everybody to share in that today and I think most of Montreal is really proud of the Greek community in Montreal. What we’ve built together with them.”

A mix of Greek, Canadian and Quebec flags waved above the crowd on Jean-Talon Street.

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

“Against 400 years of Ottoman occupation,” Adamopoulos explained.

Montreal has the second largest Greek community in Canada – behind Toronto.

“The Greek community in Montreal was here from so long ago, from around the ‘30s,” said Chris Velentzas, a Warrant Officer First Class with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. “My great-grandmother actually helped build most of the churches that you see today. There’s always been a sense of moving forward and progressing together as one big happy family.”

Added Andre Albert Morin, the Liberal MNA for Acadie: “The Greek community contributed so much to Montreal. Montreal is a great city. Lots of communities and they are working a lot to make sure that this city will be an international city.”

Cultural associations, military groups and musical bands took part in the parade. For some, it was a lesson in history in culture.

“I feel like the food is the best,” said Grade 6 drummer Krissa Tzoitzias.

“I feel like there’s a lot of culture and I learn a lot of things about the Greek independence.”

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For others, it was a reminder of their youth.

“I always loved watching these parades as a child,” Velentzas said. “So for me it’s a blessing to finally be in it. It’s really interesting to see all the different faces, all the different schools, all the different communities come together and really march to show Greek independence.”

With Mitsotakis and Trudeau marching along, Adamopoulos said he’d like to see greater collaboration of Greece and Canada in the future.

“(To) facilitate certain bureaucratic things that take a lot of effort from both sides,” he said.