Shrine puts end to 25 March ‘parelasi’ parade

File image from March 2019 when Greece’s second vice-president of, Giorgos Varemenos, third right, attended the parelasi and wreath-laying at the Shrine of Remembrance. He was heckled by critics of the Prespes Agreement when he rose to address the community at the Shrine. Police had to escort him to safety. Photo: Kon Deves

Τhe well-known incidents by some troublemakers in the 2019 parelasi parade are the reason why the Greek community can no longer hold an annual parade to commemorate Greece’s national anniversary of March 25 at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Unfortunately, our community has been deprived of one of its most important annual events by the acts of a few selfish people who did not respect the sacredness of the site and who ignored advice given to them before the event.

Both the Shrine of Remembrance and the Organising Committee for the Celebration of the National Anniversary have confirmed that the parade will no longer take place at the shrine.

Speaking to Neos Kosmos‘ writer Dean Kalymniou, Shrine of Remembrance CEO Dean Lee said: “As a war memorial exists to honour the service and sacrifice of Victorians, we have no plans or intention to host the Greek National Day Parade going forward.”

In clarifying the Shrine’s position further, Chief Executive Office Dean Lee emphasised: “We are very aware that Greek National Day parades have occurred within the Shrine Reserve for many years; nonetheless, the Shrine’s position in relation to the celebration of national days and related festivities within the Reserve has been consistent since at least 1975. They are not permitted. I wish to make clear, this applies to the national days of all nations, including Australia.”

Mr Lee said the hosting of the Greek National Parade on the grounds of the Shrine for decades was an exception to Shrine Policy, adding that the cancellation was due to the offensive behaviour of extremists at the 2019 parade.

“At times, our rigour in the application of policy has varied; however, events occurring during the 2019 parade — where political protestors and their violent behaviour dominated commemorative activities causing curtailment of the service and the departure of VIP guests under close personal protection —brought the matter to a head. This led to meetings between the Shrine, organising committee representatives and the Greek Consul General in Melbourne. The outcome of these meetings was agreement that the commemorative service would continue but the parade could not,” Mr Lee said.

“We hold great respect for the Greek-Australian community and ask simply for respect in return to protect and uphold the Shrine’s enduring purpose.”

A ban on parades for all nationalities – and even for Australia – has been in place at the Shrine of Remembrance since 1975, but officials turned a blind eye to the holding of the 25 March parade at the shrine.

After the 2019 atrocities, however, it was decided to end the parade but the laying of wreaths would continue.

In 2019, a group of Greek-Australians strongly disapproved of the attendance at the 25 March parade of Greece’s second vice-president of Parliament and SYRIZA MP, Giorgos Varemenos.

When Mr Varemenos began his speech at the end of the parade, the critics of the Prespa Agreement made their opinions heard. Some began to shout “Greece, Greece Macedonia”, and called Mr Varemenos a “bum” and his government “traitors” and to cheer him on. Some even threw bottles at him. Their noise was so loud that few could hear him and eventually Mr Varemenos had to be escorted to safety by police and security officials to the sound of loud boos.

Response from the organising committee
In responding to the Shrine of Remembrance decision, the Secretary of Victorian National Anniversary Committee, Antonis Tsourdalakis, told Neos Kosmos: “Following the well-known incidents of the few brainless at the War Memorial in March 2019, all Members of the Victorian National Anniversary Committee were fully informed of the implications of the continuation of the parade at the Memorial.

“Despite the problems that had been created we had been granted the parade permit for 2020 with some restrictions, and it was scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 22, 2020.”

Mr Tsourdalakis said a few days before the parade was to take place, as the COVID pandemic grew in Victoria, the committee responded to requests from the then Minister of Health Jenny Mikakou and the Premier Mr Andrews and postponed the parade. Other events such as the Formula One Grand Prix and Run for the Kids followed suit.

“During 2021, we were informed by the Guardians of the Monument that the statutes and regulations of the Monument had changed and events aimed at promoting national anniversaries of any country, including Australia, would no longer be allowed. At this stage, the Victorian Committee, respecting the decision of the Guardians of the Monument, began the process of finding another suitable place for the parade,” Mr Tsourdalakis said.

Despite the planning for the parade in 2021, conditions still did not allow for the participation of a large number of people either in a closed or open space, resulting in the cancellation of the parade for a second year.

“This year in 2022 the parade would normally be held in another place where the Victorian Committee in collaboration with our Consul General had chosen to hold a majestic parade but due to the fact that there was no mass participation of schools and institutions, it was decided to postpone it. It is worth noting that only 10 % of schools and institutions have responded positively to our invitation.

“We would like to inform you that next year, the parade will take place majestically in a special area where other festive activities will be given the opportunity to follow on the same day just after the parade.

It must be noted that an Official Wreath Laying Ceremony will continue to take place at the Sacred Site of the Monument of the Fallen as a “Greek Australian Commemorative Service”.

The result of this initiative is to celebrate our National Rebirth of 1821 a whole week with various events and activities. The launch of the events will take place with the ceremony at the War Memorial and the end will be with the pamparikis parade and festive event that will follow in a suitable and safe place.

The Sunday Event
Meanwhile, preparations are in place by the Victorian National Anniversary Committee for the official ceremony of the 25 March celebration to be held on Sunday, March 20, in the presence of the state prime minister, Daniel Andrews, and the leader of the opposition, Matthew Guy.

“Our goal is to honour the National Day of 25 March with a magnificence that befits the community of Melbourne”, Mr Tsourdalakis, told Neos Kosmos.
According to the official programme, in the morning there will be a doxology at the Cathedral of St. Efstathios, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and at 12 noon the official ceremony will follow at the War Memorial.

Apart from Archbishop Makarios, who will be accompanied by the Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Bishop Eumenios of Kerasountos, and other representatives of the clergy, the event will be honored by the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, as well as representatives of expatriate organisations.

Their recognition of the importance of our national anniversary will be demonstrated in practice by the presence of both the Premier, Daniel Andrews, and the leader of the opposition, Matthew Guy, while a delegation of the federal government will also be present. Flag bearers from the Greek day and afternoon schools will attend to pay their own tribute to the heroes of 1821.

“Even without the parade, the event organised by the Organising Committee will not fall short of pride and pulse, honoring the beginning of the great liberation struggle that led to the founding of the modern Greek state”, concluded Mr Tsourdalakis.

On Friday, 25 March, the Hellenic sub-branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) will be holding its annual commemoration of Greek Independence Day with a ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial on the corner of Birdwood and ANZAC Avenue in Domain Gardens Melbourne at 12 noon followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance at 1pm.

The day will start with a service at St Eustathios on 221 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne at 9.30am. After the wreath laying ceremonies at the Australian Hellenic Memorial and the Shrine of Remembrance, people are invited to the Hellenic sub-branch building at 14A Ferrars Place in South Melbourne for a light meal and refreshments.

“This is an open invitation to all our Greek community to attend the wreath laying ceremony and pay their respects, at the Australian Hellenic Memorial at 12.00pm on the actual day which is Friday 25 March,” said the Hellenic RSL sub branch in a statement.

neoskosmos.com