Justin Trudeau and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis walk in Montreal independence parade – Montreal

According to organizers, the Greek Independence Day parade in Montreal on Sunday was one of the city’s biggest ever.

“We figure about 2,000 to 3,000 participants [took part] in the parade, and about 5,000 spectators [were present]” Chris Adamopoulos, director general at Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, told Global News.

Part of the reason, some believe, was good weather. But a more likely cause for the huge turnout, say those who put the parade together, was the presence of two special guests.

“It’s a big day,” grinned spectator Maria Govostis. “We have our prime minister of Greece is here visiting, we have the prime minster of Canada. Why would I stay home?”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led the parade along with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Jean Talon Street in Parc Extension, the heart of Trudeau’s riding.

“Justin Trudeau invited the prime minister of Greece to come to a parade here,” explained Adamopoulos.

For many at the parade, Mitsotakis’ attendance added significance.

“Yah, it’s really cool,” said Anna Maria Vassiliou, who took part in the parade. “It’s the first year that he’s been to the Montreal one, so we’re happy to have him here.”

For some people like Nopie Tzotzis, who teaches Greek dancing, the parade is also about knowing history and keeping traditions alive.

“The real traditions,” she stressed. “Greek dancing is not just breaking plates. We have to keep the real traditions going.”

Greece fought for and won independence from the Ottoman Empire in the mid 1800s. Many at the Montreal parade Sunday see the event as a way to pay homage to ancestors.

“They were enslaved for many, many years and they went through a lot of hardships,” Emmanuel Orfanos, another parade participant pointed out. “To be able to represent them in this day and age and to remember them for all of their efforts, I think is very important.”

For Angie Katsiaras who watched the parade instead of taking part, for a change, the event goes even beyond that – passing on the history and traditions to the next generation.

“So they can feel our culture, our traditions, and instill all these values of hope and freedom and acceptance for all of us,” she pointed out.

A key lesson to learn, especially in a place like Canada, so we can all share and learn from each other, she and others argue. For them, this mixing and sharing of culture is what defines Canada.

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