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Greece marks independence day anniversary with messages of unity

Xinhua, March 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece on Wednesday commemorated its independence day with a military and student parade and various parallel events, including performances of traditional Greek songs and dances in the center of the Greek capital.

Wednesday marked the 194th anniversary of the start of Greece's 1821 war of independence from the 400-year Ottoman rule.

For the first time in years, there were no barricades installed at Athens' Syntagma Square and no special stand for officials, sending the message of national unity among the people and the politicians, over the struggle through the current financial crisis.

Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos called on Greeks to form an unbroken front of shared responsibility, putting aside any disputes and expedience, thus safeguarding the future and prosperity of the next generations.

Amid the tough negotiations Greece is having with its European counterparts, the president reminded citizens that during its struggle for independence, Greece had the support of the people of Europe who had common visions and ideals.

"We call for the self-evident solidarity of our partners in the context of the EU, given that the present struggle of the Greek people is clearly a fight for humanism, freedom and democracy," he stressed.

In his message, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said nothing ever came easy for the Greek people. "All [challenged] were conquered with struggles. When people have truth on their side, everything is possible," he added.

Despite heavy rain, people attended the military parade holding umbrellas and waving blue and white flags.

During the parade, mechanized units and foot soldiers marched, along with two National Guard battalions from the border regions of Evros and the Dodecanese islands, while flights of Armed Forces aircraft and helicopters flew overhead.

At the end of the event, a 90-member military band played music dressed in traditional clothes and entertained people.

Opposition parties denounced the celebrations, requesting a financial report on the cost of the events. Endit