Thessaloniki: The events for March 25 culminated with the parade on M. Alexandrou Avenue

Messages of national unity and solidarity were sent by representatives of the political leadership and local government in their statements, after the end of the great parade held on Megalou Alexandrou Avenue, in Thessaloniki, for March 25, highlighting the importance of today’s national anniversary.

Representing the Greek government, the Deputy Minister of the Interior (responsible for Macedonia – Thrace), Stavros Kalafatis, said that the double celebration of the Annunciation of the Virgin and the national rebirth sends the message of faith, national pride, national unity and self-confidence . “We honor the fighters of the past and at the same time the vigilant guards of our borders. Those who have put their lives on the line to serve our land and seas with courage and selflessness. All those who have given their blood for the homeland” said Mr. Kalafatis. He emphasized that the Greeks united and determined “we can do a lot, we can raise our homeland much higher. This is what we will do.”

For his part, SYRIZA MP Sokratis Famellos, underlined that the sacrifice of the Greeks in the 21st Struggle reminds us that the impossible can become possible, as long as there is faith in a common goal and unity in society. “It reminds us that we must do everything possible to have a strong Greece, with justice, which in global crises and also in modern tragedies will ensure security and progress. And that no one and no one will be left behind, we will all be together” he added.

ND MP Kostas Giulekas, as a representative of the Greek Parliament, pointed out: “This Greece that marched is the other Greece of values, ideals, struggles, the Greece of ’21. The one that stands tall, that we deserve”. He added that it is everyone’s duty to hold up these ideas and ideals that once inspired the fighters of the Revolution.

“If the dilemma “freedom or death” gave birth to the modern Greek nation, it would be beneficial and useful today for Hellenism to re-formulate a dilemma in order to free its creative powers” said the MP of PASOK-KINAL, Haris Kastanidis.

The regional governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, spoke about the importance of today’s day. “The Revolution of 1821 guides us, inspires us, teaches us. It is the landmark for Greece of freedom, independence, unity and self-confidence” he noted, sending the message that “united Greeks we can overcome every obstacle and difficulty”.

“Today they fly proud blue and white flags in Thessaloniki, in Greece, everywhere in the world. This is because many in the history of centuries have fought, sacrificed so that we can have the basic good of freedom and peace. Today we honor them, we want to be like them” emphasized the mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, adding: “To overcome our bad selves and offer our city and our homeland the best possible”.

High spirits and pride in the parade

With high spirit and pride, and with perfect pacing, students, representatives of clubs and unions (in traditional costumes), but also the Armed Forces, paraded earlier, eliciting the warm applause of the people who – with the spring weather as an ally – flooded the Avenue of Alexander the Great , all along the parade route, up to the White Tower.

The parade was opened by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, while it was preceded by the laying of wreaths on the Hero of the 3rd Army Corps by representatives of the State, the Local Government, the Army, the Police, Consular Authorities, etc.

Student protest

On the sidelines of the parade, students and members of the United Independent Left Movement (EAAK) protested the Tempe train accident. Raising placards and black balloons, they shouted slogans, including “It wasn’t an accident, it was murder.”