Montreal celebrates Greek Independence Day with parade
Posted March 23, 2025 5:13 pm.
Last Updated March 23, 2025 6:06 pm.
March 25 marks Greek Independence Day, a holiday celebrated by Greeks all over the world.
In Montreal, the local Greek community has commemorated the 1821 war of independence with a variety of ceremonies this weekend, wrapping up the celebrations on Sunday with a parade in Park Extension.
“I have such a great time coming here every year,” said Naomi Kyriakopoulou, a participant in the parade. “It’s a great tradition, and I love keeping it. I enjoy myself every year with my newfound friends, and we’ve formed really close bonds together.”
They gather to celebrate Greece’s freedom after struggling for independence from Ottoman rule for nearly four centuries.
Kyriakopoulou and her friends represented the Messinian Brotherhood of Canada in the parade.
“It’s basically a little island in Greece where the Messinians were the first village to be free from the Turks,” said Christina Koubarakos.
“We’re going to cheer for the people who fought for us,” added Victoria Kokkinakis.
Kosta Karvelas, also from the Messinian Brotherhood, was dressed as Papaflessas, a priest turned hero in the Greek war.
“Really excited to do the parade today,” said Karvelas. “It’s a nice day. It might be a little chilly, but it’s all right. The sun’s out.”
Fotini Kokkinakis believes that the parade is for all Montrealers to enjoy.
“It’s for everyone; everyone’s allowed to come and watch,” Kokkinakis. “It’s a really good experience, and it’s fun. You get to have a good time.”
Amalia Markakis has taught Greek to generations of Montrealers over her 45-year career.
“The flag has nine lines, and the lines represent the letters for the word eleftheria (ελευθερία), which means freedom—nine lines, nine words,” said Amalia Markakis, Greek teacher at Socrates-Demosthene School. “The white lines represent death, as it says ‘freedom or death,’ and the cross symbolizes our religion.”
Many of the participants donned intricately crafted traditional Greek clothing.
“There’s a lot of patriotism, a lot of passion, and a lot of pride,” said Emmanuel Orfanos, who says he’s participated in the parade since he was knee high.
“What’s cool about [my costume] is that I have a skirt with 400 folds, which represents the 400 years of slavery under the Ottomans,” said Orfanos. “The costume itself is called Tsolia, and the skirt specifically is called the Fustanella.”
“I think it’s amazing that we live in a country like Canada, where we’re able to share and preserve our culture, Orfanos added. “That’s what makes us Canadian.”
