<<< Back to 2007 Specials
 
 
 
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
     
 
Independence Day Celebration on Ithaki Stavros style
  
     
 
Sunday 25th March 2007
 
     
 

Each year we head down to Vathy town for the big Independence Day celebration parade, but this year, the children, parents and teachers of Stavros deserved some attention, and boy did they enjoy it. Children with big proud smiles in traditional costumes, with proud parents taking photographs and cheering them on. The kids looked fantastic!

After a late start, waiting for the priest to come down from the church service in Exoghi, the community headed into the church where the sermon was mixed with religious and political themes.

After the service, the children paraded down the short main street of Stavros with the community applauding them.

i

n

d

e

p

e

n

d

e

c

e
Even though the big parade took place in Vathy, that didn't stop Christina Kostiri, Vice Mayor (Above left) and her fellow council woman from dropping in on Stavros
The almost sunny morning made it a pleasant wait for the Papa to arrive from Exoghi. Grandmothers entertained their grandchildren and proud mums and dads took photos and videos.

Stavr os

Itha ki

The children of Stavros prepare for the parade
Stavros Primary school is made up of children from Stavros of course, Kioni, the Platrithia area and Lefki. Even small children are aware of the significance of this Independence celebration.

i

t

h

a

c

a
Today, the 25th March, is also Annunciation Day and the Name day for Evangelis.
Marching music echoed from the back of a local car boot and the children took their first steps through the northern Ithaki village of Stavros, cheered on all the way by their community.
Gree ce cel ebrat ion
The Greek blue and white waved proudly over the Stavros Square, but after the children parade, many rushed to Vathy to catch the 11am parade there. In Vathy, as is traditional, there are political speeches with military uniforms present.
In Stavros the atmosphere is laid back and casual. An air of fun and community were definitely present on this historic day, not only for Ithaki, but for Greece in general.
When the parade is over, where else would there be to go, but Margarita Cafe, also know as the Zac. There Margarita and husband Maki serve the community some hard earned refreshments.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(C) 2003 - 2007 ithacagreece.com. All rights reserved.