Amid loud applause, warm hugs, big smiles and wearing laurel wreaths, the 30 Spartans arrived in Athens after walking 225 kilometers to join the protests against the Austerity Measures.
Spartans in Athens
They had left Sparta on Sunday and covered the distance making short breaks and spending the nights under the stars. Their last break was on Wednesday afternoon in Chaidari suburb of West Athens.
Then they started walking again this time directly to Syntagma Square singing the National Anthem and chanting slogans against the austerity and the Government.
Arriving at Syntagma they raised flags with symbolic meaning
Victory or Death
Arriving in front of the Greek Parliament, the police initially forbid them to lay a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. After negotiations however the tired but proud Spartans paid their tribute to the unknown soldiers fallen in Greek wars. Among them the Antique Spartans fallen in the Battle of Thermopylae in the war against the Persian invasion, in 480 BC.
“Indignant” Athenian protesters had organized a welcome ceremony. A great event and much symbolic character if you consider the rivalry between Athens and Sparta in the Antique.
Σπαρτιάτες στο Σύνταγμα by News247
The 30 men and women spent the night at Syntagma Square together with the protesters who camp there since 29 consecutive days. Unfortunately an Indignant but really exhausted Spartan had to be taken to a nearby hospital as he had a short collapse. He is in good health.
See previous KTG-article with pictures from the Spartans’ protest march here
For pictures and videos see also “Indignant Spartan” in Facebook and in Greek portal Newsit
I am proud of them!!!
More power to them! Onward!
I am here in America. My Grandfather was from Amphiglia and came to the U.S. at age 19. I am proud of him and our heritage, and proud of Greek citizens for standing up. It’s for you and the rest of us to.
Escape from the EU, tell them to stick the whole scheme where the sun don’t shine. Start issuing your own money, be independent like Iceland. Ireland and Spain and Portugal will join you soon. I hope we will to in the U.S., and end the tyranny of the IMF, World Bank, BIS, the FED and the biggest thieves of all in London.
It only takes a few Spartans…