In a festive atmosphere, the House of Parliament was “flooded” today with traditional Christmas tunes, carols, traditional purposes, dances and wishes. The President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Konstantinos Tasoulaswelcomed children from the Kindergarten of the Parliament, the Club of Coat-wearers of Crete, the Center for Special Persons “Hara”, the Choir of the Association of the Employees of the Parliament, the Lyceum of Greek Girls and the Cultural Association of Epirus Vrilissia “O Pyrros” , who sang traditional carols from Crete, Epirus, Thrace and the Greek islands.

The President of the Parliament, after the festive events, said:

“Today in Parliament we had our Christmas celebration. We welcome Christmas, this great celebration of Christianity and Hellenism with exquisite music and voices. They sang carols and wished us a happy birthday by children from the Cretan and Epirotic Associations, the Parliament Kindergarten, the Parliamentary Employees Association, the High School of Greek Girls, the Association of Special Persons “Hara” who gave us great joy with his presence and we realized at this time, at this time that we are in preparation for Christmas, how connected it is Hellenism, our folklore with our religion with Christianity and how the common denominator of these parameters of our lives is hope.

Here we heard carols, wishes, but we also heard hope for the new year. And more than anything, this hope for a better year in 2025 was symbolized by the pentozalis from the Crete Skiers Association that completed half a century of life, this worthy cultural Association from Rethymnon. Pentozalis is a dynamic dance that is danced with great speed, with momentum, but it also has something that in my opinion is very symbolic and fits with how we are today as a country. At some point, the lead dancer bends his knees and jumps in the air, he jumps up and the others hold him tight to land again. Thus our country at this period, having made progress, is preparing for the great leap. For a jump that gives us hope, gives us courage and makes us all feel that this jump must be helped by all of us holding fast to the first dancer, holding fast the hope that it will come true. This symbolism of hope, love and solidarity, in a Greece that is preparing to match every other advanced European country, is what makes us feel proud, makes us feel that we deserve what we claim and that after conquering it day by day we conquer it we are ready to protect it. I wish everyone here from the House of the National Parliament, the House of the National Delegation, happy holidays, merry Christmas and all the best for the new year!”

The celebratory event was attended by the 1st Vice-President of the Parliament, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis, the 3rd Vice President of the Parliament Athanasios Bouras, and the General Secretary of the Parliament Mr. Vasilios Bayiokos. The celebration was also attended by the President, the members of the Board of Directors of the Parliamentary Staff Association as well as Parliament officials.