Evzones “travel” to Australia this weekend

Athenians are naturally totally used to the sight of Evzones changing guard at the foot of Greek Parliament as well as the Presidential Mansion. It is hard to bypass their striking poise and determination. Signifying Greek levendia (valour), these tall young lads (at least 1.87cm)  are handpicked for their statuesque stature and patriotic virtue.

“The evzonas is Greece,” affirmed Dimitra Hatziadam, a freelance photographer who between 2013 and 2016 spent long hours taking behind-the-scenes pictures of the otherwise multi-photographed evzones. Her photos are on display in an exhibition, titled “EVZONES/Guardians of the Unseen” from noon on 12 December at Coburg. The exhibition is being held as part of the 2021 Victorian Bicentenary Committee under the auspices of Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou with the support of the Greek Secretariat of Greeks Living Abroad.

Born and raised in the northern port city of Kavala, Hatziadam joined the small circle of photographers accredited to the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic in 2010. Three years later, during a church-related shooting and whilst wondering at how much time and effort it takes for a priest to get dressed, she came up with the idea of ‘denuding’ the presidential guard’s evzones. “The guard’s commander knew me well and granted me permission to go ahead with the project,” Ms Hatziadam told Neos Kosmos.

“As onlookers and outsiders, we tend to view evzones as mere symbols; of patriotism, of valiance, of excellence. From up close, you realise, however, that they are just normal people.”

The main sponsors of the display in Austrlaia are the National Bank of Greece and Neos Kosmos newspaper. Communication sponsors from overseas are Hellas Journal, Ηellenic News of America, The New Hellenic Times, AMNA, Radio104.9, CNN Greece, Sunday Macedonia , Makthes.gr, The Toc, E-Daily, E-Agenda, E-Radio, Akous.gr, Militaire, Monopoli.gr.

The display can be viewed at 23-29 Victoria Street, Coburg at noon on 12 December. It will be broadcast live on the Facebook page of Neos Kosmos at noon (AEDT), 9pm (US) and 3pm (GR). For more info call 7037 2522 or email greeknationalday@gmail.com

S:neoskosmos.com