ASTORIA, NY –
Astoria’s Saint Demetrios Greek American Parochial School students will join the upcoming 2026 Parade Committee public meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2026, for a special musical performance at 7:45 PM at the Stathakion Cultural Center in Astoria.
As the Committee’s Chairman, Elias (Lou) Katsos notes, this presentation is offered in commemoration of Greek Independence Day and in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Exodus of Messolonghi (1826- 2026), one of the most sacred and defining moments of the Hellenic struggle for freedom, a symbol of sacrifice, endurance, and the unyielding pursuit of liberty.
In a lyrical tone, Katsos, presents this special program, saying that “it unfolds as a journey through the spiritual, intellectual, and cultural foundations of the Greek War of Independence. It will begin with Τη Υπερμάχω, the Byzantine hymn to the Theotokos, long regarded as the protector of the faithful in times of trial, reflecting the deep spiritual dimension of Hellenic history.
It will continue with the revolutionary voice of Rigas Feraios, whose Thourios stands as one of the earliest and most powerful calls to rise against tyranny, a song of unity, dignity, and freedom.
At its heart are selections from Dionysios Solomos’ Free Besieged, set to music by Yiannis Markopoulos, giving voice to the defenders of Messolonghi in their final hours, where silence becomes testimony and sacrifice becomes immortal.
Traditional songs such as Τα Κλεφτόπουλα and Ξύπνα καημένε μου ραγιά evoke the lived experience of resistance, honoring the klephts and the awakening of an oppressed people, preserving memory through the voice of the laos.
The program will conclude with “Να ’τανε το ’21”, a modern reflection on the enduring legacy of the Revolution, reminding us that the spirit of 1821 continues to live within Hellenism”.
Inviting the community on behalf of the 2026 Parade Committee to attend and enjoy the performance of the students of Saint Demetrios, Chairman Katsos concludes by stressing that “together, these works form a unified offering, bridging faith and nation, poetry and history, memory and identity, and affirm that the Exodus of Messolonghi stands not only as an event, but as an eternal testament: that liberty, once awakened in the human soul, cannot be extinguished.
