The Greek Independence Day Parade on 5th Avenue in New York will take place on Sunday, June 5, 2022. The Greek Parade in New York is the largest parade outside of Greece with tens of thousands of original spectators Hellenic and Philhellenic. The parade proved to be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our rich heritage and culture to American society. Hellenic News of America founder Paul Kotrotsios had the opportunity to speak exclusively with Ilias Katsos, co-chair of the parade, where he shared details of the upcoming parade.
Paul Kotrotsios: Tell us a little about the parade after a 2-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
Ilias Katsos: Thanks Paul. I had the honor and pleasure of witnessing, alongside George Venizelos and John Catsimatidis, who had been invited to chair the Federation of Hellenic Societies of New York’s 2022 Greek Independence Parade, with Nicholas Bardis and Demetrius Kalamara serving as co-chairs, and Philip Christopher serving as chair of the parade dinner on June 4 at the Hilton.
As you stated, the Greek Independence Day Parade in New York is the largest and most important parade in the Hellenic diaspora. This year in particular, it is eagerly awaited by both the American Hellenic community and the greater Philhellenic community after two years of the Covid pandemic.
I would also like to congratulate you (!!!) and Hellenic News of America on your 35th anniversary. For 35 years, Hellenic News of America has been a significant, powerful, unique and unifying force in the promotion and preservation of Hellenism in its finest journalistic manifestation. This is a leading network for Hellenic and Hellenic American news in the diaspora and I was honored to have recently received the Philotimo Award from your distinguished organization at your 35th Anniversary Gala, very popular and very successful.
Thanks for reading Hellenic News of America
PK: What is the objective of the parade this year?
THIS : In this year’s parade we will celebrate the late, due to Covid, bicentennial of Hellenic independence in 1821, the late 2500th anniversary of the Battles of Thermopylae/Salamis and Plataea, the 100th anniversary of the GOA, the 100th anniversary of AHEPA, and most importantly, we will commemorate the devastating 100th anniversary of the Burning of Smyrna (1922), the last major phase of the 30-year Christian (Greek/Armenian/Assyrian) genocide (1894-1924) at the end of the Ottoman period. it took approx. 3.2 million innocent civilian lives. Additionally, as in all past parades, the parade will have/include themes that touch on both Hellenic and American values in an international context and that vary from year to year. Such themes, for example this year, could include irredentism and the Finnishization of the Eastern Mediterranean by the Turkish Republic, as well as the international importance of the return of the Parthenon and Acropolis marbles stolen during the Ottoman period, before the Hellenic Revolution, and shipped (1802-1812) to England where they are now in metaphorical captivity as “Greek slaves” waiting to be freed.
PK: What do you think are the main achievements of Omogenie so far?
THIS : The achievements of Hellenic Omogeneia in America beginning in the 19th century, which includes the diaspora and beyond generations, are legendary and one of the significant financial and cultural successes in all aspects of America’s diverse and numerous industries, of education and leadership positions that have earned the respect and fear of many within this great American nation. Many books and articles etc. have been written on this subject here and abroad from various and different angles. Omogeny in America is very diverse and represents millions of people depending on how you categorize and define it. I find that many/maybe most Hellenes abroad and even in the US (depending on their origins and length of stay etc.) don’t really understand it. In a way, the lack of understanding of Omogeneia by many reminds us of the Indian parable of the “blind men and the elephant”. It’s the story of a group of blind people who have never encountered an elephant before and who are asked to describe what the elephant looks like by touching it. Depending on what each blind person touches (the trunk, the leg, etc.), he will describe it differently. Omogeneia of course continues to evolve over time and, based on its high average education level and economic strength, affecting America and its future in positive ways. One thing that most Omogens, including Philhellenes, share in America is their love of Hellenism and Hellas.
PK: People are confused by the various announcements and reports regarding the upcoming parade in New York. Is the archbishop coming? Finally, are the Evzones coming to participate in the parade?
THIS : The confusion you refer to, and it is significant, appears to be related to issues that are not parade related but rather tangential and have appeared in Hellenic American media, are known and evolving. The various announcements and reports relate in my opinion, to some extent, to reports of error of omission (which is not generally a norm among seasoned professionals) by some which lead to various assumptions on the part readers. There are Parade Federation committee chairs and co-chairs as well as members of the parade press who are available to answer questions to avoid these problems if asked. Yes, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros will definitely come to the parade on June 5 as well as the Hilton Parade Dinner on June 4. As for the Evzones at the time of this interview, I’m not sure they will come but we would certainly be honored to have them.
PK: Please also clarify why the date June 5 was chosen instead of the March celebration marking 201 years of the Greek Revolution?
THIS : The Greek Federation for Independence parade in New York, from 1938 when it started and 1951 when it started going down 5th Avenue, as many people may not know, not being not New Yorkers, has not always taken place, depending on the weather, in March (in fact, quite the opposite). and related to holidays and when permits could be obtained from New York City. Greek Independence Day parades in New York have historically varied from March to July (in 1895 to coordinate with the American Fourth of July). Additionally, all early parades in New York until the 1920s never took place in March but in April since they conformed to the Julian and not the Gregorian calendar of the West. June 5 was not chosen, but rather the earliest available date that New York City had opened on its calendar this year to grant a permit for the parade on 5th Avenue, and that also made sense. The date of the June 5 parade has been publicly explained several times by the parade co-chairs and may not have been sufficiently reported in the media. It was explained at various Stathakion public meetings by the parade co-chairs that May 29 for the parade made no sense as being Memorial Day weekend, that May 22, as well as May 15, were taken by others, that May 8 was Mother’s Day, May 1 was Thomas Sunday, April 30 was the great and holy Easter, and April 17 was Palm Sunday.
PK: Are Greek consulates and embassies helping or cooperating with the committee?
THIS : We have been fortunate in New York to have excellent consuls general and consuls over the years and Consul General Dr. Konstantinos Koutras has certainly been one of the best. Their continued support over these years helped explain why this is the largest parade for Greek independence. It also contributes, through its numerical strength, to influencing American policy towards Greece more than any other event.
PK: Many senior American elected officials are invited to this major event, what is the message this year?
THIS : Yes, this has always been the norm with many local, state and national leaders marching and enjoying being part of the parade as well as the parade dinner the day before. As politicians, they understand better than anyone the message of the vitality, power and importance of Hellenic American politics in the United States, as demonstrated in the parade.
PK: What is our message to Greek politicians and what can we expect from them?
THIS : I say to you that you are invited to join us in New York with open arms as fellow Hellenes, regardless of your political affiliations and parties, to celebrate with us and with the broader American philhellenic polity what we Americans and Hellenes, let us share in common with our fellow Americans. . This commonality is the spirit and belief in the fundamental ideas of Hellenism, freedom and democracy, which are the basis of the Hellenic Revolution as well as the American Revolution. We look to Hellenic leaders and expect only honesty, integrity and equality as fellow Hellenics.
