Honestly, I had no intention of writing this post for the ‘200 Year Anniversary of the Greek Revolution and victory over the Ottoman occupation.’ There are, even online, so many events taking place, historical analysis, reports, documentaries from noteworthy reporters, politicians (no, they are not all extinct yet), artists, foundations, I rather enjoy the variety and quality offered. However, an accidental conversation with a top scientist and doctor, a few years back and a similar reference recently, pushed my button.

To quickly put you in the spirit of things, I bet most of you remember the movie The 300, when King Leonidas and his brave men stalled the Persian Empire’s army, so General Themistocles can organize and defeat them, in what is considered by historians today, one of Europe’s most important battles, 2,301 years before another Greek revolution begun, March 25, 1821, against the occupying Ottoman Empire. History, if anything, repeats itself. Papaflessas, ex-Minister and Church Leader and his 500 sacrificed themselves in similar manner, in the war against the Ottoman occupation, whereas General Kolokotronis was a key figure and brilliant strategist in this war and the quintessential Greek hero in recent history. In both cases, the Greek nation blocked an invasion to the European Continent from the East. You would think that some Europeans appreciate this, and some do. What you may not think is that there are, even few, Greeks that don’t. I mean, is there an American that doesn’t celebrate the 4th of July, despite varying opinions on politics?

Back to the good doctor, who presented the following point of view; he analyzed the pros and cons of education in Greece and abroad (may I mention that I was born in Australia, of Greek origin and have spent most of my life outside of Greece; the level of education in the country is in great part, at a higher level than many western nations, a possible explanation on why the Greek kids do so well when they continue their studies abroad, as many do, due to limited options in such a small, war withered nation). This individual said, among other things, something that became engraved in my memory ; “… and of course I don’t send my kids to a Greek school or university’ at the end of the day, I could care less if they don’t know who Kolokotronis was” Shock. I was shocked. Not due to extreme nationalism, but out of respect towards the known and unknown women and men that gladly offered their life, from Leonidas and his 300, in ancient time to Papaflessas and his 500, two hundred (200) years ago, in order to allow, throughout centuries and despite several different invaders, one of the Mediterranean flowers, Hellas (Greece) to blossom. No matter how often it gets stumped on, burned, cut, this flower can not be ripped off, of its root. This is the only country left in the western world that still uses its mother tongue and its history over the last 4,000 years is still so connected to its roots, its womb. There has not been one generation of Greeks that has not felt, directly or indirectly war or the threat of one. From short and long distance neighbors. And Greeks are still here.

I wish to leave with you the following two points as food for thought; First, to my fellow Greek people in Hellas and the rest of the world of course, embrace the immigrants and even more so their children that were born or grew up in your beautiful, sunny country. The Greek D.N.A. has been mixed, since ancient days, like a delicious Mediterranean recipe, with other valuable civilizations, like the Phoenicians (Lebanon), Assyrians (Syria, Jordan), Egyptians, Nabateans (Arabian Peninsula). Like I mentioned above, Australia is my country and I adore it, because, with its pros and cons, it embraced us, and offered our grandparents, parents, the same opportunities, during the massive arrival of Greek immigrants in the 60’s. You will not escape the goosebumps if you visit the different Melbourne monuments dedicated to the immigrants. Second point, this 200 liberation anniversary is not just about a catchy number or just a single person, Theodor Kolokotronis, the indomitable force behind the revolution. It is a memorandum to anyone who thinks that a war with guns or a financial war, will crush this nation. But Kolokotronis is the face that symbolizes all the above. He is the ‘flag’. A flag could be a piece of cloth but it undoubtedly is not, for any nation that respects its history and fallen. The flag symbolizes the heart, courage and tenacity for survival of a nation like Hellas – Greece, which is not the most or least important one. It is of equal value. We are not all the same, thank God, but we are equal. Please, tell me something; does anyone out there believe that, in a parallel universe, if we could sit on the same table with Kolokotronis, this good doctor, would look him straight in the eye and tell him that his fight and sacrifice was worth nothing? Shameful.

The main photo on this post was taken when I visited the ancient site of ‘Altis‘, meaning Sacred Forest or as is known by most, Olympia, were the Olympic games were born. The specific statue is called ‘Nike’ of Paionios, ‘Victory’ (Yes, the known sports brand took this name) made by ancient sculptor Paionios. Kolokotronis and thousands like him, fought for the same values embodied in the Olympic Games, that are important not just for the Greeks but for the whole world. I for one am eternally grateful they gave their lives so we can enjoy those freedoms, how about you?