200 years of independence parade over Athens

Details: Published: 29 March 2021; Last Updated: 30 March 2021

200 years of Greek independence, parade over Athens

On 25 March 2021, military aircraft and helicopters flew over Acropolis Hill during a military parade over Athens. Greece celebrated the bicentenary of the start of the country's war of independence against the Ottoman Empire.

Greece invited dignitaries from Russia, France and Britain, the powers that had provided vital assistance to the battle for independence.

Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and French Defence Minister Florence Parly were in Athens for the events, along with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

French President Emanuel Macron also intended to attend, but he pulled out a few days earlier as coronavirus infections spiked in France and he tightened restrictions domestically.

Each year on 25 March, Athens comes to a standstill for Greek Independence Day, which commemorates the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821. It is also the religious holiday of The Annunciation, that is observed on this day by Eastern Orthodoxy.

The military parade on the ground commences from 11:00 hrs (LT) and makes its way from Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, past Hellenic Parliament, with official dignitaries in attendance including the President of Greece. The parade then makes it way down Panepistimiou Street where the crowds line each side of the street in front of the Attica department store and other iconic neo-classical buildings including the Academy of Athens, the National Bank of Greece and the National Library, all the way to Omonia Square.

The following aircraft were taking part in this year's parade:

Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia (EPA) – Hellenic Air Force