Astoria, NY – On Friday March 22nd Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, Senator Mike Gianaris, and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall hosted a celebration of Greek Independence Day at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria. This is the 11th annual Greek Independence Day celebration of its kind.
Greek Independence Day is a national holiday in Greece, commemorating the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. The holiday coincides with the Annunciation to the Theotokos, celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary and told her that she would bear the son of God.
Senator Gianaris said, “I am happy and proud to be here with Borough President Marshall, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and members of my community to celebrate another Greek Independence Day. There is no better place than here in Astoria, the heart of Greek-American culture, to remember our heritage and celebrate the spirit of freedom and the desire for independence that has for so long linked America with the country of our ancestors.”
“Celebrating Greek Independence allows us to take a moment to reflect upon the noble democratic ideals that bind our two great nations. As we mourn the passing of Demetrios Demetrios, it is important to recognize him and other New Yorkers of Hellenic descent for their enduring contributions to the educational, social, moral, and economic principles that are so deeply ingrained in the fabric of our communities,” said Assemblywoman Simotas. “In addition, we have been so honored to host this event with Helen Marshall for many years, and it is bittersweet to celebrate her final Greek Independence Day as Borough President.”
Borough President Marshall said, “This annual celebration of Greek heritage and culture reminds us of the great contributions to governance, philosophy, the arts and education made by ancient Greece to civilization and the generations of Greek Americans who have embodied this heritage in modern times to contribute to the betterment of communities here, across our city and our nation. I thank Senator Gianaris and Assemblywoman Simotas for their support and cooperation in helping to make tonight’s celebration of Greek independence here in Astoria possible.”
In addition to celebrating Greek Independence Day, several Greek-Americans were honored for their outstanding contributions to the community. The honorees were Connie Stamatiades, District Office Manager for Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Federation of Hellenic Societies President Elias Tsekeridis, and Greek activist and local business owner George Kalergios. Demetrios Demetrios, affectionately known as “JJ”, was honored in memoriam after he passed away earlier this month. Borough President Helen Marshall was given special recognition as a friend of the Greek-American community.