Greece is getting ready for what promises to be a spectacular military parade to celebrate the country’s gala bicentennial.

The parade will take place in front of a host of foreign dignitaries who are expected to arrive in Athens on Wednesday.

Events include meetings of Russian, British and French officials with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and a state dinner hosted by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and will culminate with a military parade on Greek Independence Day, March 25.

The military parade will take place in front of the Greek Parliament and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square on Thursday morning.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, the original program had to be modified and only some parts of the Armed and Security forces will participate. Nevertheless, the parade is expected to be impressive due to the special bicentennial anniversary.

Military parade with Evzones on horses

A new component of the traditional military parade will be Evzones on horses.

The Evzones are known for their distinctive uniform, which evolved from the clothes worn by the mainland and central Peloponnese Greeks who fought the Ottoman occupation.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and his wife Andre were expected to be welcomed by Education Minister Niki Kerameus at Athens International Airport (AIA) on Tuesday evening.

The Greek premier will receive Anastasiades at Maximos Mansion at 11:45 on Wednesday morning.

Russian Federation Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will be welcomed at the AIA by Finance Minister Christos Staikouras at 2:00 on Wednesday afternoon.

PM Mitsotakis will receive Mishustin at Maximos Mansion at 2:30 PM the same day, and their meeting will be followed by joint statements.

Later on Wednesday, Charles, the Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall will be formally welcomed by Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias at 5:35, PM while French Defense Minister Florence Parly will arrive in Athens at 7:05 PM.

Dignitaries to visit National Gallery

PM Mitsotakis and his wife, Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotaki, will welcome all guests to the newly refurbished National Gallery at 6:15 PM on Wednesday, where the Premier, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and National Gallery Director Marina Lambraki-Plaka will deliver addresses, followed by a tour of the Gallery.

The event will also be attended by President Sakellaropoulou, French Ambassador to Greece Patrick Maisonneuve, British Ambasssador Kate Smith, President of the “Greece 2021” Committee Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and her husband Theodoros Aggelopoulos, and Louvre Museum President Jean-Luc Martinez.

On Thursday, Greek Independence Day, internationally-acclaimed soprano Anastasia Zannis will sing the national anthem as the Greek flag is hoisted at the Acropolis site at 8:00 AM.

A liturgy will follow at Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens at 8:30 AM, before a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square at 9:20 AM.

The military parade will begin at 10:00, in the presence of all the political and military leaders and visiting guests.

Following the parade, PM Mitsotakis will meet with Prince Charles at Maximos Mansion at 12:30 PM, prior to the latter’s departure at 2:45 PM.