Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ televised address to the nation: a message of hope, strength, unity, and perseverance on Greek Independence Day
Our national holiday, this year, finds our country in an unprecedented state. We are not celebrating on the streets and town squares. But we are honoring it from our homes. With our flags waving high and our thoughts on our ancestor’s battle for Freedom. But conscious of the fact now, that our enemy is the pandemic. Across from it today will be a parade of our force and our unity. On this front, it is our patriotism of responsibility that is being judged. And it is being tested in action, not just in words, in social solidarity. Because we are all equal in this battle.
The care of the State is directed to every citizen. And she or he, in turn, undertakes her or his own share of support. This is the other side of our strength in a battle against a social threat. No one alone. But all from the same position, on the front lines.
Two hundred years ago Greeks claimed their rights and went from being enslaved to being free. From subjects to citizens. Forming a Nation. Founding a state of Democracy and Justice. These are the great values we are being called to vindicate, these days, with a new approach, one of mutual responsibility. Because only united peoples can get through difficult times. No social building can stand erect without the foundation of Health. And no citizens will be well if those around her or him are not well.
Today is a great day, the day of transforming national memory into present responsibility. With discipline, we stand by the State. Just like she fights next to us. Because the same “virtue and boldness” required for our freedom then, is demanded in battle today. The sooner we have small and big victories in confrontations with the Coronavirus, the sooner that this war will be won. We have losses and we will have more. Our economy will also suffer. But our duty is to limit the pain to the minimal. And to share the cost of adjustment in this new economic reality in a just way.
My fellow compatriots, throughout the country,
The chieftains and firefighters of our time are the doctors and nurses in white and green shirts. It is our duty to equip them with munitions that save lives. And to give them the strength and spirit, by following their recommendations with discipline: We do not move, we stay home! This is how we honor our independence day this year.
In 1821 our ancestors united, revolted and freed our country. The generations that followed rebuilt it and grew it. Today, our nation’s children watch over her on other fronts: At our borders, in our hospitals, in our day to day life. To our fellow citizens on the front lines, we say to you in the words of our national poet: “Your strength an ocean, my will a rock.”
The international circumstances, however, are spreading the message of the Greek Revolution beyond our borders. And if ever, the wave of Philhellenism were Paneuropean, today it returns as the object of a new Europe. One that will not be limited to the common overcoming of a health crisis. But, mainly, one that will support the financial rebirth after this crisis. Never has the notion of a United Europe been greater. The time has come to use it to the advantage of all its citizens.
My compatriots,
There is only one battle for me: To keep Greece strong and Greeks healthy. The pandemic will take a toll. It will leave us, though, victors and more mature. Acierated more than ever, so that we may take our country forward. The test we are going through is releasing forces in our people that were previously in lethargy. Through this crisis, our structures are modernizing. Technology travels everywhere, changing the way we work. But also decreasing bureaucracy. Volunteerism is taking root. We ourselves, work together and disciplined. And we are building a relationship of trust with the State, which during times of difficulty, is showing that it can stand up to the challenges of the times. All of this will be our weapons for the next day. The precious tools with which we can rebuild what has been lost. And next year, when this trial is in the past, we will celebrate proudly, our two centuries of freedom.
Be strong and Happy Independence Day to all!
Read and watch the Prime Minister’s address in Greek.
Images of Greece celebrating and honoring Greek Independence Day in a time of Coronavirus.
