Press Release_2017 Greek Independence Day Parade

Celebrating freedom and heroism!

For Greeks around the world March 25th 1821 symbolises the beginning of the revolutionary fight that ended 400 years of the Ottoman rule. Nicholas T. Pagonis, President of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal (HCGM) states: “as Greeks passionately wave the Greek flag and celebrate Greece’s National Independence Day, they proudly remember our ancestors who sacrificed much and fought to maintain our identity, our values and our freedom. Needless to say, Greeks around the world salute and commemorate all those who have fought in a war”.

The HCGM annual Greek Independence Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 26th 2017 in the Parc-Extension borough. The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, will be this year’s Grand Marshall and will open the parade at 1:00p.m. Thousands of spectators will attend this unique annual event where Montrealers of Greek descent will patriotically wave their Canadian, Quebec and Greek flags and show their colours with great pride. The Parade will showcase numerous groups, including all the HCGM Schools and Departments, Greek associations, educational institutions, various cultural communities, to name a few. The Greek Government will be represented by Terence Quick, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Greek or not, bring your flags and get ready to pay tribute to the history, the heroism and the independence of the nation that started it all. The HCGM continues the more-than-40-year-old tradition of organising a series of commemorative events where Montrealers celebrate Greek Independence Day:

Saturday, March 25th at 13:00 – Wreath-laying Ceremony at the City of Laval Cenotaph, 1 Place du Souvenir.
At 18:30 – Official Dinner at the “Salle Quebec” of the Hellenic Community Centre Adrian Maris, 5757 Wilderton Avenue. During the dinner, the HCGM will present the “Hellene of the Year” award to a Greek nominee in recognition of their social contribution and/or scientific/business success.
Sunday, March 26th at 10:30 – Doxology at the Greek Orthodox Church Evangelismos tis Theotokou, 777 St-Roch, in the Parc-Extension borough.
At 13:00 – Greek Independence Day Parade on Jean-Talon.
At 18:30 – Reception hosted by the HCGM in collaboration with the General Consulate of Greece in Montreal at the Hellenic Community Centre Adrian Maris, 5757 Wilderton Avenue. Numerous philhellenes and officials from the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments will attend the events.