YPSILANTI, MI – GNUSA [Photos: Mario Mihas & Consulate General of Greece in Chicago /FB]
A wreath was laid by Consul General of Greece in Chicago, Emmanuel Koubarakis, at the statue of Demetrios Ypsilantis in downtown Ypsilanti, MI, on March 27, in honor of the 205th anniversary of Greek Independence.
The Mayor of Ypsilanti, Nicole Brown, Consul of Greece Georgia Tassiopoulou, President‑elect of Eastern Michigan University, Dr. Brendan Kelly, and Professor Artemis Leontis, Head of the C. P. Cavafy Professorship in Modern Greek and Comparative Literature at the University of Michigan, joined the commemoration.
A marble bust of Demetrios Ypsilantis, a distinguished leader of the Greek War of Independence, sits in front of the city’s iconic Water Tower between a Greek flag and a U.S. flag, “serving as a poignant reminder of his legacy and of the enduring bonds between Greece and the United States”, as the Greek Consulate noted in a social media post. Notably, the city of Ypsilanti was named in his honor.
The ceremony marked the beginning of events for the Greek National Day, which will culminate with the Annual Greek Parade in Greektown, Detroit, on May 3, in the presence of Archbishop Elpidophoros.
On March 28, Consul General Koubarakis was honored at the Greek Independence Day Gala at the historic Detroit Athletic Club, in recognition of his dedication to strengthening the bonds between Greece and the Greek-American community throughout the Midwest.
The event was hosted by the Hellenic Associations and the Greek Orthodox churches of Metro-Detroit under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit who was also in attendance.
The Consulate General of Greece expressed sincere thanks to the organizers, local authorities, and the Greek‑American community for their hospitality and continued dedication to preserving our Hellenic heritage.
“It was a meaningful opportunity to connect with the vibrant Greek-American community and reflect on the values of freedom, unity and identity that continue to guide us”, the post concluded.
