Steve Georganas (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Eleftheria i thanatos, freedom or death, was the war cry heard on 23 March 1821, heralding the beginning of the Greek revolution for independence, freeing the people from 400 years of Ottoman rule. By 25 March, Kalamata and most of the Peloponnese had rebelled against the Ottoman Turks, heralding the first Greek nation.

Today, Greeks all over the world are celebrating 200 years of freedom and independence. Australia is home to the largest population of Greeks outside Greece and Cyprus. Greek Australians are proud of their language and culture, which gave birth to democracy. Today, Greek communities will be celebrating all over Australia.

They will be celebrating in my seat of Adelaide. I look forward to attending many of the events this weekend. The Adelaide Town Hall will be lit up tonight in blue and white. The Greek flag will fly proudly over the Adelaide Town Hall and the South Australian state parliament. Here, in Canberra, Greek flags are already flying on many of our capital's public buildings. The Sydney Opera House will be lit up in blue and white, the colours of the Greek flag. I wish the Greek-Australian community in South Australia and all of Australia all the very best as we celebrate 200 years of the bicentenary of Greek independence. The Greek spirit lives on in all of us. [Greek language not transcribed].

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