Ships remained docked at Greek ports and train services were halted as transport workers joined the nationwide strike by private sector union GSEE, Greece's largest. City transport was also disrupted as bus and taxi drivers halted operations for a few hours. Protesters marched to parliament around noon. Some of them held banners reading: "We don’t want breadcrumb increases, we want it all." Since a 2010-18 debt crisis when wages were slashed as part of austerity measures in turn for bailout funds, Greece's economy has been growing at nearly twice the euro zone rate and the country last year regained investment grade status after 13 years in the "junk" category. The monthly minimum gross wage was raised by 6.4% to 830 euros this month, the fourth such rise in five years. But many workers say the pay rises are not enough to keep up with high food prices and soaring rents and wages in Greece still lag behind those of their European colleagues. For younger Greeks, hit by a high unemployment rate, the high cost of living is an additional challenge. "Having such little prospects...and not being able to make ends meet is very hard," said 23-year old university student Elena Roza, one of the protesters. "The reflex reaction is to leave the country." And in a nod to France's overseas territories, surfing events will take place in Teahupoʻo, a village on the coast of Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia. The Greek average monthly salary of 1,175 euros is 20% lower than 15 years ago, while unemployment remains above 10%, the second highest in the European Union behind Spain. Youth unemployment is over 20%. The conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which won re-election last June, has promised to raise the monthly minimum wage to 950 euros by 2027, when its term ends, and increase the average wage by more than 25% to 1,500 euros in the same period. But GSEE says it wants an immediate increase to 908 euros and wants collective bargaining, which was abolished during the crisis, reinstated. "The high cost of living is a noose around the neck of workers and pensioners. Growth should not only be for a few," said GSEE's Secretary for Public Relations Dimitris Karageorgopoulos.  

With a key slogan "we want real raises - we want our Collective Bargaining Agreements back and we want them now", the workers' representatives in their speeches emphasized the need for immediate action to tackle punctuality and to abolish memorandum arrangements that prevent free collective negotiations. "Together with the unemployed and pensioners, the employees of the private sector once again united their voice of protest against the living crisis experienced by every Greek family" points out the GSEE. The demonstrators, after finishing the speeches in Klathmonos Square, marched to the Parliament, where they handed in a protest resolution. The Confederation emphasizes that it will continue its struggle until the just demands of the people it represents are realized.   Vehicular traffic has been restored in the center of Athens Vehicle traffic in the center of Athens is proceeding normally, as all traffic regulations that were in place since the morning were lifted, due to the protest gatherings that took place in the context of the 24-hour nationwide strike declared by the GSEE.   Stopped metro, electric, tram Attica will be without metro, electric and tram, as the workers decided to participate in the 24-hour strike of the GSEE. The STASY unions in their announcement request a salary increase, beyond the minimum, to protect the purchasing power of households with low and medium incomes, direct recruitment of staff to cover the organization's permanent needs and immediate reinstatement of the National General Collective Labor Agreement to power   Work stations on buses, trolleybuses With work stoppages, bus and trolley workers are participating in the 24-hour strike of the GSEE. According to the OASA Workers' Union and the ILPAP Workers' Union, city buses and trolleys will run from 09:00 to 21:00 due to work stoppages (from the start of the shift to 09:00 and from 21: 00 until the end of the shift). The restoration of the operation of the vehicles will begin gradually after the end of the work stoppage and, accordingly, their progressive withdrawal for the depots will begin. The workers are demanding public, safe, modern transport, a collective labor agreement and staff recruitment, signing of a collective bargaining agreement. Buses will run normally on the OASA lines that have been taken over by KTEL.   Work stop in taxis With a work stoppage from 05:00 to 15:00 in the afternoon, the taxi owners are participating in the strike, while they have also planned a gathering at the SATA offices at 10:00. With the slogan "no taxis on the roads", the Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) calls on all taxi drivers to participate in the strike "for the 3 wounds that we need to close tax, project interception and multinationals".

The spray paint has now been removed from the statue, however the image of the iconic Athenian Trilogy of neoclassical 19th century buildings on Panepistimiou is a disheartening one. The adjacent University of Athens building remains scarred with damages to most of the monuments that surround it, while the Academy of Athens maintains a protection shield of sheet metal. The three buildings are the most valuable architectural symbol for the formation of national identity during the 19th century. The graffiti, tagging, paint tossing and looting of recent days of the showcase of Athenian neoclassicism is indicative of weakness, reluctance and audacity. It is a political issue as the administrations, the rectory, and the municipality do not seem to have a consistent and unyielding policy against vandalism. The protection of these monuments is an extremely complicated issue that touches on issues of public order, delinquency and the protection of civil rights.

The CEO of the Athens Municipality's Development and Tourist Promotion Company (EATA), Ioannis Georgizas, said the programme was the result of close collaboration with a number of cultural and creative groups, as well as official bodies, with a series of events taking place in parks, squares, streets, museums and cultural spaces, with a focus on sustainability. The events kick off with the Athens Urban Picnic at Akadimia Platonos on May 1, featuring live music, dj sets and a kite show, among others. They include a festival dedicated to Mother's Day on May 12, a Street Outdoors Party at Koumoundourou Square on the same day, a story telling event on May 16, a skateboarding contest on May 18, a fashion show featuring traditional costumes at the Dora Stratou Theatre on May 19, a latin music festival (La Saramuya Fiesta) on May 26 and many other activities. The events end with the Athens All Star Party in the Lycabettus parking lot on June 2.

The 7-story building on the corner of Eleftheriou Venizelou and Kolokotrini streets has been given an upgrade to improve energy efficiency and undergone much-needed maintenance and repairs, though the new digital catalog is, perhaps, the latest addition that will improve the visitor experience most. According to an announcement from the Municipality of Piraeus, the library’s collection has also been enriched with new titles in all of its sections. The Piraeus Public Library is open on Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

In the period from 1st April to 31th October the iconic archaeological sites like the Acropolis, the Ancient and Roman Agora also stay open longer, allowing tourists to explore in cooler evening temperatures. From ancient artifacts to architectural wonders, Athens offers an unforgettable cultural experience for summer travelers. On summer nights with a full moon, various archaeological sites will be open well into the night to allow visitors to enjoy this unique experience.

The show was pre-announced by the Region of Attica and included 250 drone formations through coordinated lighting including 3D figures, logos, and words that alternated. They included images of a warship, 19th-guns, the naval cannon of the revolution, an Evzone, good wishes, and the Greek flag. In statements on the occasion, Attica Region Governor Nikos Hardalias said that "March 25 is not a typical anniversary - it is an an integral part of our national identity and our daily life." He explained that the region chose the unique celebration "to remind us continually and in every way - especially younger generations - that nothing was given us free." The sacrifices of the fighters of 1821 "is our own sacred heritage," he added, "and serve as our guide of responsibility and duty our homeland." (The video is available at https://youtu.be/xlOiP6hJRjM. It is 1.47 minutes long.)

Crowds collected in central Athens before the parade began at 11:00 am Prior to the military parade, the official raising of the Greek flag took place on the Acropolis at dawn, while a celebratory liturgy took place at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Athens led by Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece. The liturgy was attended by the Greek president and political and military leaders. Prior to the parade, Sakellaropoulou laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. This year's parade included three 'firsts': the new training aircraft M-346 Block 5+ of the Hellenic Air Force that flew overhead in Athens, the parade of the forest emergency unit, and the Corfu island's 'Mantzaros' Philharmonic Association. Also participating in the parade were the presidential guard of Evzones that led the marching forces, parachutists, special operations staff, and the Fire Brigade's EMAK disasters unit. The latter was applauded by officials and the public for its role in Greece's devastating fires and floods. Aircraft formations involved all branches of the armed forces and included F-16 Vipers, Rafales, F-16s, Mirage 2000-5 and firefighter aircraft as well as helicopters. Several Greek cities celebrated Greek Independence Day and the start of the War of Independence with flag decorating, parades, and events also took place for in several cities throughout Greece. Some of the events include parades by students, girl and boy scouts, and cultural and sports associations, while other municipalities have scheduled the performance of traditional Greek dances, lectures, and theatre plays. President's message Greeks draw strength historically from unity and consensus, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Monday following the Greek Independence Day parade. Specifically, she said, "Today we celebrate 25 March 1821, a top highlight of our nation's long history: the day our ancestors revolted against Ottoman rule, liberated our homeland, and established the beginning of building the Greek state. Their heroic example, their self-denial and bravery, remind us during our era's challenges that we Greeks historically draw our strength from unity and consensus."

Domestic tourists are giving a vote of confidence to several destinations on the mainland, according to FedHATTA President Lysandros Tsilidis, as well as the destinations known for their carnival atmosphere - such as Patras, Xanthi, Skyros, Rethymno, Naoussa, Kastoria, Tirnavos, Kozani, Ioannina, Kefallonia, Rhodes, Amfissa, Kalamata, Galaxidi and Corfu - with available accommodation filled to 90% capacity. Package tours were also very popular, with sales up 10 pct relative to 2023, which had in turn seen a 30% rise relative to 2022, while prices remained competitive, Tsilidis reported. Once the long weekends favoured by domestic tourists are out of the way, tourism destinations are preparing to receive visitors from abroad, with the majority of resorts opening for business in early April and virtually all of them open for the Orthodox Easter holidays in May. With positive messages for 2024, there is widespread expectation that this will be another year of good news for Greek tourism.

Thousands of citizens will have fun with dancing, singing, acrobatics, the traditional merry-go-round at the Carnival events organized by the Athens Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Athens and OPANDA. The venue will be the historic center of the city - Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki - as the aim of the chamber is the revival of carnival events in the "Quarter of the Gods". "We want to see again in the streets of Plaka carnival-goers having fun with their souls, as was the case in the past. Let's once again make the most beautiful corner of Athens the center of the capital's carnival events and let this celebration be from now on a pole of attraction for residents and visitors, something that will also stimulate entrepreneurship", is the message of the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce Yannis Hatzitheodosiou. The municipality of Athens will culminate this three-day Halloween celebration with a series of events, in neighborhoods and in the city center. For Saturday (16/3) activities for young and old have been planned in various parts of Athens. Children will create their own paper war collage in the Art Gallery, participate in an educational experiential program in Agios Georgios Square in Kypseli and have fun at the Halloween celebration on the pedestrian street at the junction of Gennai Kolokotroni and Matrozou. The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens will flood the Kallidromi with its melodies, the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira with Brazilian rhythms and dance will perform a carnival route from the Peripheral Filopappou to Merkouri Square, while cultural clubs will revive customs in other parts of the city. In Zappeio, there will be a children's Halloween celebration and a revival of the Plakiot Carnival by the Athens Chamber of Commerce. On Halloween Sunday (17/3) young and old carnival goers will participate in two big celebrations in the center of the city. In the morning (11:30), children will go wild in their carnival costumes at Zappeion, where group games and pantomime, stilt walkers, circus artists, mascots and many surprises await them. In the afternoon, the Athens Chamber of Commerce revives, with the support of OPANDA, the traditional carnival in the streets of Plaka with a large carnival procession, which will start at 17:30 from Syntagma Square, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and other musical and dance forms to set the rhythm. Following the route through Ermou and Evangelistria streets, Mitropoleos Square and Pandrossou Street, the parade will end at Monastiraki Square. This will be followed by a series of spectacular acts with acrobats, impressive dancers, Brazilian dances, as well as superFire & Pyroshow and supermagic show. The event will be presented by Ioanna Maleskou and Thanos Vagios. On Clean Monday (18/3) the focus will be, as always, on the Hill of Philopappos, for the Athenians to celebrate Koulouma with music and dance and to fill the Attic sky with colorful kites. The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens will welcome the public from 11 am, while at 12 noon the music group "Charisma" and Isidoros Pateros will take the stage. "Throughout the weekend of March 16 and 17, the streets and squares of the city turn into an endless colorful merry-go-round, with parties for children, musical meetings with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, carnival routes with the flavor of tradition. On Clean Monday, March 18, you are all invited to Filopappos Hill to traditionally celebrate Koulouma with music, dance and Lenten food", said the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas.   The program of events in detail Saturday, March 16 11:00 Athens Municipality Gallery Collage with confetti in the Art Gallery. Halloween museum educational program for children aged 4 to 6 years. Young visitors will observe Rika Pana's works in the exhibition space and create their own paper war collage. 11:00 Agios Georgios Kypselis Square "Carnivalize, play, tumble" - Children's educational experiential program. 11:00 Gennaiou Kolokotronis & Matrozou Children's Halloween celebration. Music, dancing, Halloween competitions for the best costume, theatrical performances, games and many surprises for the little carnival-goers. 11:30 Kallidromiou Street Musical tour of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens 12:00 Regional Filopappou-Troon-Dorieon-Merkouri Square Carnival route with the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira with dance and rhythms from Brazil. 12:00 Papadiamanti Square-Halepa-Agios Andreas Lamprini Square Carnival route of the revival of lesbian skating with the participation of lesbian skaters from the Lesvos Farmers' Union "Agios Dimitrios" and the Cultural Association of Traditional Dances and Cultural Activities "O Molyvos". Sunday, March 17 11:30 Zappeio (courtyard area) Children's Halloween celebration with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens. Music, dance, stilts, balloon construction, face painting, circus artists, group games, pantomime, mascots and many surprises for the little friends. 17:30 Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square Revival of Plakiotiki Carnival. Action of the Professional Chamber of Athens with the support of OPANDA. Carnival parade from Syntagma Square and carnival spree in Monastiraki Square. * The event will take place simultaneously in Syntagma Square, in the surrounding streets and in Monastiraki Square. Clean Monday, March 18 Filopappou Hill 11:00 Musical walk by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens. 12:00 Concert by the band "Charisma" and Isidoros Pateros. 11:00 Park for Children & Culture (former K.A.P.A.P.S.) Traditional feast with music, dances and Lenten dishes from the Cultural Association of Ano Ampelokipi. With the support of OPANDA.  

These are for during the period from March 15 to 18th, aiming at the safe movement of citizens and the prevention of traffic accidents. These measures include policing of roads and at the entrances and exits of major urban centers where there is heavy traffic, traffic regulations, and traffic management.

The pre-Lent festivities will begin at 11:30 am on Tsiknopempti (March 7) with music and events around Varvakios Market, Monastiraki Square, and the surrounding streets. At 12:00 the Vakhai musical society will start performing at Syntagma Square and move through Kotzia Square to end up at Monastiraki Square. The large annual parade will take place on Sunday (March 17) in the center of the city with entertainers and musicians. Events will conclude on Clean Monday (March 18) at Filoppapou Hill, with flying of kites and 'koulouma', the celebration of the first day of Lent in the outdoors with a picnic of non-meat dishes. The Philharmonic Orchestra of Athens and the Charisma band will play music. Athens Mayor Charis Doukas said that "for 23 days every neighborhood in our city will be inundated with music, dance, song, and traditional events," inviting all "to come and participate in the joy together." The schedule is available in Greek through the following page: https://www.cityofathens.gr/apokries-stin-athina-mia-megali-karnav