March 25, 2017 —
An important part of our experience in each country to which we have travelled has been to participate, as much as possible, in their cultural and local activities. Recently we went to the Kos Independence Day parade. Independence Day, a national holiday in Greece, celebrates the start of the War of Independence in 1821. Greece had been under the rule of the Ottoman Empire since 1453.
The Island’s marching band has won national awards for excellence for which the island residents are proud, and looked professional in their uniforms. Islanders wore traditional Greek costumes and carried the Greek Flag as well as the flags of various organizations on the island of Kos. Most of the schools on the island were also represented with students marching in their school uniforms. The parade wrapped up with members of the military and a military band. It was a beautiful spring day and locals were out with families and friends enjoying the holiday.