New York City Greek Independence Day Parade - March 30th, 2014

ASTORIA, N.Y., March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year's themes are – "The Hellenic Humanistic Ideals and Values, an antidote to the multifaceted global crisis" and the "40 years of Occupation and Division of Cyprus - No More!" Parade Grand Marshals - are U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and George Tsunis, businessman, philanthropist and United States' ambassador designate to Norway.

New York's annual largest Greek event celebrating Hellenic history and heritage, the 193rd Greek Independence Day Parade, will take place on Sunday, March 30 at 1.30 pm. The Parade will start at the corner of 63rd street and 5th avenue where hundreds of Greek organizations (schools, federations, societies, communities, associations, student organizations), as well as dozens of floats and bands will wind their way to 79th street.

The Greek Independence Day Parade is a strong tradition, representing the largest gathering of Greek-Americans outside Greece.  Since 1938, the parade attracts over 100,000 spectators with approximately 25,000 participants.  It is a day of remembrance, pride and inspiration for the Greek-American Community for it honors the shared values between Greece and America, - the supreme good of Freedom, which emanates from and is deeply rooted in Ancient Greece. "The common struggles of Hellas and the United States for Independence, Freedom, Democracy, Respect for Human Dignity, Social Justice, and for Self-determination by the American and Greek Revolutions constitute the foundation of our nations' common heritage," says the Chairman of the Parade Petros Galatoulas.

PARADE THEMES
"The Hellenic Humanistic Ideals and Values, an antidote to the multifaceted global crisis"
"This year's parade is dedicated to the eternal Hellenic values and ideals," notes the President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, Mr. Elias Tsekerides. It is now evident to all of us that in recent years, the Western civilization has entered a period of a growing economic, political, social, ecological, and in particular cultural crisis that gradually weakens the structures of our global society. As the world's most influential thinkers and historians have pointed out, the foundation of a new paradigm and a new democratic culture can arise only through one system of thought, the one that originated in Pre-Socratic intellect. The Pre-Socratic profound thought is humanity's depository of creative ethos and wisdom. It is a system of values consistently renewed and adapted to the circumstances of each era for peaceful and harmonic coexistence of humans and nature," continued Mr. Tsekerides.

"40 years of Occupation and Division of Cyprus - No More!"
"This coming July 2014 the Hellenic American Community will be commemorating the 40th anniversary of the brutal tragic invasion of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey. As Philip Christopher, member of the Parade Committee and President of the International Coordinating Committee – 'Justice for Cyprus' notes: "As we celebrate the 193rd anniversary of Greek Independence after 400 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire, we are all reminded that 38% of the small island Republic of Cyprus has been under occupation for 40 long years. It is unbelievable that the International Community has remained silent to the greatest injustice in modern history. Turkey, on the pretext of protecting a small Turkish minority, invaded the island in 1974, expelled 200.000 Greek Cypriots from their homes, destroyed 500 historical Christian churches and changed the demographics by importing 500.000 colonists from Turkey. The spirit of 1821 lives in the hearts of the Greek Cypriot people who are fighting to remove 43.000 Turkish troops and return to their ancestral homes."

The Grand Marshals
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is honored for his distinguished service to the United Stated and the Great State of New York. He is a close friend of the Greek American Community and a strong voice against human rights violations in Cyprus and all over the world.

Senator Charles Schumer was a key architect and supporter of the major reform immigration bill and played a crucial role for the inclusion of a measure allowing Greek and Cypriot nationals – among other nationalities - to find work in the United States providing Greek language instruction and assistance to local Greek communities.

U.S. Ambassador Designate to Norway, George Tsunis is the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chartwell Hotels, LLC. He is a prominent and active member of the Greek American Community, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a philanthropist with numerous contributions to various charities, institutions and organizations.

About the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, INC
The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York is a not-for-profit organization that comprises over 200 civic, cultural and religious organizations in the greater New York City area. Established in 1938 and representing societies from over 100 regions in Greece, its mission is to preserve and promote Hellenic culture and heritage throughout the five boroughs of New York through cultural events and programs, including the organization of the Annual Greek Independence Day parade in New York City.

The Greek Independence Day Parade has become a New York City traditional event and is a great day out for everyone, Greek or non-Greek. It is a time to celebrate and participate in Hellenic Heritage and Culture!

Visit http://www.hellenicsocieties.org/ for more information

Contact: Georgia Kontzamanis
Cell # 917-415-6294

SOURCE Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York