Page 46 - 2BOARD 33
P. 46
the symbol Evzones are selected according to certain criteria that
include a minimum height requirement (1.87 m.), while
the greek they must be of sound character, physically fit, with
evzonas a good appearance and stamina. The tough training
lasts one month and involves developing the ability
The little known story of the much photographed to stand motionless for one hour and perfecting the
soldiers who proudly guard the Tomb of the Unknown finely synchronized ceremonial gait that can be seen
Soldier and the presidential mansion. | Η «άγνωστη» at the changing of the guard. The steps required for
ιστορία των πολυφωτογραφημένων τσολιάδων, που φυλάνε the ceremonial change are executed in slow motion in
με τιμή το Μνημείο του Άγνωστου Στρατιώτη και τη Βουλή. order to protect their blood circulation after standing
completely still for 60 minutes. And if you think this
S ymbol of bravery and heroism to Greeks, ceremonial uniform isn’t too difficult, try standing motionless for just 5
with a history going back more than επισημη ευζωνικη minutes and you will soon understand. The ceremonial
a century, the Presidential Guard was στολη (1914) uniform is the same as that worn by Greek fighters
formed in 1868 as a regiment of the who resisted the Turkish occupation (1453-1821), with
regular army and up to the Second the foustanella (kilt) made from 30 metres of white
World War enjoyed the reputation as the strongest cloth with 400 pleats, one for each year of the Ottoman
and most courageous unit of the Greek army. Today, occupation. The uniforms are all handmade by skilled
the soldiers of the Presidential Guard, who are also tailors at the Guard’s barracks, each one taking 80
known as Evzones, are an elite ceremonial unit that days. The waistcoat alone, embroidered with white or
also has guard duties. Each soldier remains on guard gilt thread, takes up to one month to sew. The Evzones
for one hour, three times every 48 hours. You will see work in pairs, sharing their training and other duties,
them standing silently, expressionless, totally still in while the mutual assistance they offer when putting on
front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the the ceremonial uniform (which may take 30 minutes),
Parliament building. The “Grand Change” takes place arranging the black tassel that hangs from the cap,
every Sunday morning and involves the whole Guard straightening the collar or fastening the foustanella, is
marching from their barracks in impressive formation particularly valued. Summer or winter, one thing that
to music, a unique, awe-inspiring spectacle that has doesn’t change in the uniform is the long white woollen
become popular with locals and tourists. stockings, two on each leg, held in position by an inside
garter (anaspastos) under the foustanella.
winter's uniform cretan uniform summer's uniform Depending on the occasion, there are five variations
μπλε ντουλαμασ κρητικh στολη θερινοσ ντουλαμασ of the uniform: the Cretan, representing all the Greek
islands, the Macedonian, a blue winter uniform, the
cotton uniform worn in summer which is also the official
one, the updated uniform of mainland Greece and the
traditional uniform once worn by the Greeks of the Black
Sea region (Pontus). Each clog (tsarouchi) weighs 1.5 kg.
and has 60 nails studded into the sole, which prevent
slipping and are responsible for the distinctive loud
sound when the guards are marching.
The white colour that dominates the uniform is believed
to symbolize the purity of the independence struggle. If
you feel tempted to make the Evzones laugh or move,
you’d be wise to think again. A presidential guard
in civilian clothes is always nearby to prevent such
attempts before the situation spins out of control.
Through the eyes of an expert
Unfolding the history of Greece’s national costume
through 40 of his remarkable coloured drawings
that were recently displayed at an exhibition in the
Ceremonial Hall of the Presidential Guard barracks,
painter and costume curator Yiannis Mylonas talks
about his fascination with Evzone costumes and reveals
some of his favourite corners in Athens.
46
include a minimum height requirement (1.87 m.), while
the greek they must be of sound character, physically fit, with
evzonas a good appearance and stamina. The tough training
lasts one month and involves developing the ability
The little known story of the much photographed to stand motionless for one hour and perfecting the
soldiers who proudly guard the Tomb of the Unknown finely synchronized ceremonial gait that can be seen
Soldier and the presidential mansion. | Η «άγνωστη» at the changing of the guard. The steps required for
ιστορία των πολυφωτογραφημένων τσολιάδων, που φυλάνε the ceremonial change are executed in slow motion in
με τιμή το Μνημείο του Άγνωστου Στρατιώτη και τη Βουλή. order to protect their blood circulation after standing
completely still for 60 minutes. And if you think this
S ymbol of bravery and heroism to Greeks, ceremonial uniform isn’t too difficult, try standing motionless for just 5
with a history going back more than επισημη ευζωνικη minutes and you will soon understand. The ceremonial
a century, the Presidential Guard was στολη (1914) uniform is the same as that worn by Greek fighters
formed in 1868 as a regiment of the who resisted the Turkish occupation (1453-1821), with
regular army and up to the Second the foustanella (kilt) made from 30 metres of white
World War enjoyed the reputation as the strongest cloth with 400 pleats, one for each year of the Ottoman
and most courageous unit of the Greek army. Today, occupation. The uniforms are all handmade by skilled
the soldiers of the Presidential Guard, who are also tailors at the Guard’s barracks, each one taking 80
known as Evzones, are an elite ceremonial unit that days. The waistcoat alone, embroidered with white or
also has guard duties. Each soldier remains on guard gilt thread, takes up to one month to sew. The Evzones
for one hour, three times every 48 hours. You will see work in pairs, sharing their training and other duties,
them standing silently, expressionless, totally still in while the mutual assistance they offer when putting on
front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the the ceremonial uniform (which may take 30 minutes),
Parliament building. The “Grand Change” takes place arranging the black tassel that hangs from the cap,
every Sunday morning and involves the whole Guard straightening the collar or fastening the foustanella, is
marching from their barracks in impressive formation particularly valued. Summer or winter, one thing that
to music, a unique, awe-inspiring spectacle that has doesn’t change in the uniform is the long white woollen
become popular with locals and tourists. stockings, two on each leg, held in position by an inside
garter (anaspastos) under the foustanella.
winter's uniform cretan uniform summer's uniform Depending on the occasion, there are five variations
μπλε ντουλαμασ κρητικh στολη θερινοσ ντουλαμασ of the uniform: the Cretan, representing all the Greek
islands, the Macedonian, a blue winter uniform, the
cotton uniform worn in summer which is also the official
one, the updated uniform of mainland Greece and the
traditional uniform once worn by the Greeks of the Black
Sea region (Pontus). Each clog (tsarouchi) weighs 1.5 kg.
and has 60 nails studded into the sole, which prevent
slipping and are responsible for the distinctive loud
sound when the guards are marching.
The white colour that dominates the uniform is believed
to symbolize the purity of the independence struggle. If
you feel tempted to make the Evzones laugh or move,
you’d be wise to think again. A presidential guard
in civilian clothes is always nearby to prevent such
attempts before the situation spins out of control.
Through the eyes of an expert
Unfolding the history of Greece’s national costume
through 40 of his remarkable coloured drawings
that were recently displayed at an exhibition in the
Ceremonial Hall of the Presidential Guard barracks,
painter and costume curator Yiannis Mylonas talks
about his fascination with Evzone costumes and reveals
some of his favourite corners in Athens.
46
