NEW YORK, NY — GNUSA
The East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) will present a special webinar panel discussion, “The Evzones: History, Legacy, and the Spirit of Hellas”, on Sunday, December 7, at 2:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 p.m. Athens EEST. The event will be introduced and moderated by EMBCA President Lou Katsos.
The panel, currently in formation, will include Mechanical Engineer and Former Evzone Adamos Daios; Entrepreneur and Former Evzone Lefteris Eleftheriadis; and Photographer Dimitra Hatziadam of the acclaimed “Evzones/ Guardians of the Unseen”.
“The Evzones are more than soldiers; they are a living symbol of Hellas’s courage, resilience, and enduring spirit,” Katsos noted. “Their story begins in the rugged mountains of Ottoman‑occupied Greece, where klephts—agile fighters—launched daring raids against occupying forces. From these roots emerged the light infantry units later known as Evzones, elite warriors “well‑girt” for battle, whose skill and endurance made them legends of the struggle for freedom”.
“During the Greek War of Independence, Evzones played a crucial role, holding mountain passes, executing raids, and becoming visible emblems of liberty. Their traditional dress, a precursor to the modern fustanella, became an unmistakable symbol of resistance. As the new Hellenic state took shape, King Otto and later King George I formalized the force into battalions tasked with guarding frontiers and serving as elite troops in the young Hellenic Army”, he continues.
“Over the decades, Evzones proved their valor in every major conflict, from the Balkan Wars to World War I, the Greco‑Turkish War, and World War II. Legendary stories endure, including that of Konstantinos Koukidis, who, according to tradition, wrapped himself in the Greek flag and leapt from the Acropolis rather than surrender to invading forces.
Today, the Evzones serve as ceremonial guardians in the Presidential Guard. At Syntagma Square in Athens, they perform the highly stylized changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every detail of their uniform—the pleated fustanella, red cap, and leather tsarouchia—carries centuries of historical meaning”, Katsos adds.
For more information, visit https://embca.com
