Australian Ambassador to Greece Alison Duncan has toured the Evzones uniform workshops at the Presidential Guard camp in Athens, the Australian Embassy said on Monday 19 October.
The visit came before the Guard’s trip to Australia for OXI Day, the embassy said on its Facebook page. Duncan was “delighted” to visit the camp beside the Presidential Mansion, it said. She also learnt about the unit’s history, mission and activities.
In its post, the embassy described the Presidential Guard as one of the most iconic symbols of Greece. Its Evzones guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion, while the Evzones uniform workshops at the camp make and maintain their dress.
Inside the Evzones uniform workshops
According to the embassy, stepping inside the Evzones uniform workshops was a particularly special part of the visit. There, it said, “highly skilled craftspeople lovingly and meticulously create and care for” the Guard’s traditional uniforms.
The embassy singled out the fustanella, the pleated kilt, with its 400 pleats. Each pleat represents a year of Greece’s four centuries under Ottoman rule, it said. The Presidency of the Hellenic Republic says each fustanella uses 30 metres of white fabric.
Also according to the Presidency, every Evzone uniform is entirely handmade, and the tailoring takes considerable experience, time and expense. The fermeli, or vest, is the hardest part to make. That is because craftspeople in the Evzones uniform workshops embroider it by hand in white or gilt thread.
On the head, the red pharion cap carries the national emblem and symbolises the blood spilled in the liberation struggles. Its black silk tassel, by contrast, stands for tears and mourning, the Presidency says.
Similarly, the tsarouhi shoe carries deep symbolism. Each handmade pair of red leather tsarouhia weighs about 3 kg, according to the Presidency. The sole of each shoe carries 120 nails. As a result, the work of the Evzones uniform workshops keeps these garments ready for daily duty.
Finally, the embassy thanked Lieutenant Commander Michael Tzinieris, Wing Commander Ioannis Fousekis and Major Panagiotis Mimikos for their “warm hospitality”.
A unit with roots in 1868
According to the Presidency, the Guard traces its history to 1868. That year, the Hellenic Army set up an elite combat and ceremonial unit. In 1914, after the Balkan Wars, the unit became the Palace Guard.
Later, in 1929, construction began on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A company of Evzones then took over guard duty there. Since 1974, when democracy returned to Greece, the unit has carried its current name. It now has a purely ceremonial role under the Military Office of the Presidency.
The Evzones are volunteers from the Hellenic Army’s infantry. They guard the tomb around the clock and in all weather. The pairs change every hour on the hour. Greek City Times has profiled the Evzones and their duty at the tomb.
Every Sunday at 11am, a larger contingent marches with a military band from the camp to the tomb. There, the official changing of the guard takes place. The Evzones also raise and lower the flag on the Acropolis on Sundays and official holidays, the Presidency says.
Presidential Guard heads to Australia
Almost every year, members of the Guard travel to Australia for commemorations with the Greek-Australian community, the embassy said. In addition, it wished the contingent “a wonderful visit” and said it was sure they would receive a very warm welcome.
This year, the Evzones begin at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney on Thursday 22 October, Greek City Times reported. Then, they march to the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park on Sunday 25 October. After that, they make their first official visit to Canberra on OXI Day.
Since 1940, Greeks have marked OXI Day on 28 October. It recalls Greece’s rejection of Italy’s ultimatum on 28 October 1940, which brought Greece into the Second World War.
Source: Australian Embassy, Greece