Days before the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence, members of the Greek American community in Los Angeles began efforts to light Los Angeles City Hall in blue and white in commemoration of Greece’s Bicentennial. President of AHC, Jim Dimitriou approached Jim Birakos, a knowledgable city government executive, who was the Dep. Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Earlier attempts to accomplish the lighting had proven unsuccessful and following their discussion, a plan was set in motion. Nick Patsaouras, the past president of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Water and Power Commission (DWP), who was recently appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti to head the city’s program for the homeless, was brought into the plan.

Despite event scheduling conflicts and a previous commitment by City Hall, following work on the City Council level and relentless effort by members of our community, Los Angeles City Hall celebrated Greece’s Bicentennial.

On March 25, 2021, Los Angeles City Hall lit up the civic center in Greek colors, blue and white. Present for the lighting were the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic, Eugenia Beniatoglou, Sharon Gerstel, Director of the UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture, Christina Bogdanou, Director of the Basil P. Caloyeras Center
for Modern Greek Studies at Loyola Marymount, Jim Birakos, Nick Patsaouras and AHC President, Dr. James F. Dimitriou.

Across the county, on the west side of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel was also adorned in blue and white colors and celebratory messages.

Consul General Eugenia Beniatoglou, who played an integral role in the event, said,

“Thank you Mayor Garcetti for the great honor in support of the bicentenary of modern Greece. We are truly grateful that the Los Angeles City Hall joined other landmarks around the globe to celebrate this, the 200th Anniversary of Greek Independence. We are also grateful to our local community advocates, the American Hellenic Council, represented by Jim Dimitriou, Jim Birakos, Nick Patsaouras and the many others who voiced their support and helped make the lighting of both the Los Angeles City Hall and the Santa Monica Pier, a reality. Echoing the sentiments of President Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, the opposition leader, Mr. Alexis Tsipras, and political leaders of the Hellenic Parliament, the Greek Diaspora has always been Greece’s greatest advocates and we share with them this great celebration of our 200 years of Independence!”

The auspicious occasion of the 200-Year Anniversary of Greece’s war of independence was celebrated by our leaders and in cities across the globe.

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou sent a message of gratitude to the Greek Diaspora, whose,

“…self-denial and selfless contribution contributed to the awakening of the Greek national conscience and to the preparation of the struggle, supporting in every way and means this sacred purpose.”

Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, shared a message for all Greeks of the Diaspora, recognizing the contributions of Greek expatriates, who during the time of the Struggle fought for Greece, through advocacy, sending resources and, in many cases, joining in arms, returning to their homeland, to fight in battle.

President Joe Biden speaks to Greeks and Greek-Americans in celebration of the Bicentennial of Greece’s Independence,

“We’re two people rooted in the common conviction that every human being is entitled to be treated with dignity. And it’s our shared commitment to liberty, human rights, and the rule of law that empowers us to write our own futures — whether two hundred years ago or today.”

The Annual White House Greek Independence Day Commemoration took place, with many leaders of the Greek-American community in attendance. The White House was represented by not only President Joe Biden, but by our very own Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary.

All organizations from the Hellenic Advocacy community were in attendance, including the American Hellenic Council.

“On behalf of the American Hellenic Council, I am very proud to have participated in the White House Commemoration of the Bicentennial of Greece.  We shared a session with both the Greek American members of Congress as well as the leaders of our Greek American organizations.  The 200 years of Greek Independence is marked with a profound renewal of Greek-American friendship and cooperation marked by both President Biden & Archbishop Elpidophoros! As President Biden quoted Aristotle, ‘the friendship between our two nations is like two people sharing one soul.’” – Dr. James F. Dimitriou, President, American Hellenic Council

US-Greek relations are the best they’ve been in modern history. Our friendship began during Greece’s war for independence and Greece’s 2021 bicentennial is an opportunity to celebrate this history and the values of liberty and democracy our peoples have defended for over 200 years.
—Geoffrey Pyatt, US Ambassador to Greece

It is with great pride and humility, that we commemorate the Bicentennial of Greece’s Independence. Proud allies and friends throughout these 200 years of history, in war time and peace, the United States and Greece have never been stronger in their relations and mutual commitment to freedom and human rights.

It is with this keen sense of patriotism and friendship that the American Hellenic Council and the City of Los Angeles commemorate the 200 Years of Freedom as we light Los Angeles Hall in the Greek colors of blue and white on the week of March 25th, 2021.

The AHC shares in the co-sponsorship of this historic event with the United Hellenic Societies of Northern California.
Ζήτω η Ελλάς!

Dr. James Dimitriou
President, American Hellenic Council of California