Wednesday 25 March 2020

25th March ... in unusual times

This used to be a day of celebration in Greece, with us taking lots of photos of  grandchildren laying wreaths, watching them marching in the local parade and cafeterias full of ouzo drinkers after the big event.  

Obviously none of that is happening this year, not even the ouzo drinking.  If the sun shines we may have a glass of wine on the balcony.  My traditional person put out the flag a few days ago.  Got to keep the Greek spirit flying.




Google honoured the Greek National day as it usually does by having the greek flag on their search page.

Today is the celebration of Greece's revolution against the Ottoman Turks, a resistance which continues to this day, 199 years later.  It is also a church fiesta, the Annunciation.

2021 is the 200th anniversary and Greece is preparing huge celebrations next year which will make up for the lack of them this year.  25th March marks the beginning of the struggle against the Turks, eventually leading to independance

There will be parades and fly-overs and a show of military strength,  music and dancing in the square, sticky cakes, traditional salt cod and garlic sauce by the ton and I am sure more ouzo drinking than is good for the nation's health


Traditional meal
fried salt cod, garlic sauce, beetroot, bulbs and leaves
oh, and wine

We had the national anthem playing as loud as possible this morning for all the neighbours to 'enjoy' and there was a fly-over from a couple of jets. 

Our celebration of independence has not been forgotten.







18 comments:

  1. At least you are marking the occasion today in your own way. Here's to bigger and better things next year 🍾🥂

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    1. My dear husband would/could not let the day go by without doing the traditional stuff. I ate too much garlic and am now trying to digest it all. I should be germ and vampire free for a while at least

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  2. Beautiful photos. Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks. We're keeping our distance! Good health to you

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  3. Garlic good for earache too if you place a small bulb in your ear for a few hours. The whole Allium family are very good for you.

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    1. My m in law used to stick them around doors to get rid of ants. It didn't work by the way. Don't know whether I'd like to stick one in my ear .

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  4. One big thing I think is common between NZ and the Greek isles is its raw, chill, and colorful beauty that is a dream of paradise for everybody. I wish to greet you a Happy Independence Day all the way from the Philippines! Stay Safe!

    Stevenson
    Cavite Daily Photo
    Stevenson Que Blog

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    1. Every country has its beauty. Greetings to the Phillipines

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  5. Happy Independence Day!
    I am so glad you have consumed enough garlic to chase vampires away :)) We don't want any of them hanging around, or any germs either! Take care, Mxx

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    1. At least I won't be breathing on anyone else but the other garlic eater in the house

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  6. Happy Independence Day
    Once we are all out of corona danger I’m thinking the world will have one huge Independence Day party

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  7. I note you still had a fly past right over Turkey for a show of strength. Good on ya.

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    1. They had a few incursions, as usual, but didn't go overboard as they often do at times like this.
      Erdogan is trying to keep virus info under wraps over there but looks like he moved too late. At least he has removed the refugees from the border.
      Just the lours left

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  8. I have an unopened bottle of Ouzo here... If I'd known in advance, I'd have opened it.

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    1. Keep it for a real celebration....freedom!!

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