Cyprus celebrates Greek Independence

City officials in Nicosia are joining celebrations around the world to mark 200 years from the start of the Greek War of Independence, with a light show and a flag display set to adorn the southern part of the divided capital for the next three days.

A rehearsal for a light show in downtown Nicosia took place Wednesday evening, with white and blue colors displayed prominently across the new public square and a large Greek flag projected on a piece of the old city’s iconic medieval wall.

The display will officially start on Thursday and last for three days, as other cities around the world also pay their respects for the March 25 holiday that marks the start of the Greek revolution against the Ottomans.

Many European countries will also be honoring the bicentennial with seminars, lectures, and panels, as well as tributes in the form of illuminated buildings but also other less traditional homages. Prior to the pandemic, big parades also used to take place every year in Greek communities around the world to mark the anniversary.

Kathimerini Greece also reported that the famous Manneken Pis (peeing boy) statue in Brussels will once more be dressed in an Evzones costume, as was also done to show solidarity with Greece during the economic crisis in 2011.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades was among foreign leaders and dignitaries who traveled to Athens to celebrate the bicentennial of the start of the Greek War of Independence.

Dignitaries included the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, French Defense Minister Florence Parly and Russian Federation Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who represent the three countries that played a decisive role in the victory against the Ottoman Turks that led to the emergence of the modern Greek state.

US President Joe Biden has sent Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou a letter, according to Kathimerini, saying “I participate together with the Greek people and the millions of proud Greek-Americans in celebrating this joyful anniversary.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin also wrote a leter, telling Sakellaropoulou that his country attaches “great importance to relations with Greece, which are based on long-standing friendship as well as cultural and spiritual proximity.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said the Greek people’s struggle for independence in the 19th century serves as an inspiration for France and Europe.