The annual parade of the Hellenic Armed Forces marking the Greek Independence Day on March 25 took place in front of the Monument of the Unknown soldier Parliament and in front of the President Katerina Sakellaropoulou as well as military officers and politicians.
The impressive parade started at 12 noon in central Athens in front of thousands of people.
While members of the Armed Forces were marching in downtown Athens, aircraft formations involved all branches of the armed forces and included F-16 Vipers, Rafales, F-16s, Mirage 2000-5, helicopters and firefighter aircraft were flying in the sky.
Video: Military Parade Greece 25. March 2024
This year’s military parade included three ‘firsts’: the new training aircraft M-346 Block 5+ of the Hellenic Air Force that flew overhead in Athens, the parade of the forest emergency unit, and the Corfu island’s ‘Mantzaros’ Philharmonic Association.
Also participating in the parade were the presidential guard of Evzones that led the marching forces, parachutists, special operations staff, and the Fire Brigade’s EMAK disasters unit. The latter was applauded by officials and the public for its role in Greece’s devastating fires and floods.
Prior to the military parade, the official raising of the Greek flag took place on the Acropolis at dawn, while a celebratory liturgy took place at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Athens led by Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece.
Several Greek cities celebrated Greek Independence Day and the start of the War of Independence on 25. March 1821 with parades and events to mark the historic day.
Some of the events include parades by students, girl and boy scouts, and cultural and sports associations, while other municipalities have scheduled the performance of traditional Greek dances, lectures, and theater plays.