Metropolitan Ioannis of Zambia sent a letter to the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the occasion of the completion of the 200 years since the beginning of the Greek Revolution on March 25 1821. He made a proposal to declare this date as a Day dedicated to the Hellenic and Zambian Republic.
Moreover, in the letter, the Metropolitan of Zambia stated that the choice of March 25th as a day for Democracy reflected the great importance that date had for Hellenism.
“The year 2020-2021 is a milestone year for the Hellenic Republic, as it marks the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Greek State. At the same time, it is a festive year for the Hellenism of Zambia, as it marks the 125th anniversary of the Greek presence in the country and 75 years since the founding of the Greek in Zambia,” he added.
He also spoke of several festive events, which would be organized by the Consulate General of Greece in Lusaka in cooperation with the Orthodox Archdiocese of Zambia and with the participation of whole the Greek community in Zambia.
Finally, he said: “Greece and Zambia have built enhanced friendly bounds, based on mutual respect, shared values and continuing engagement for freedom, justice and sovereignty.”
Read the full letter of the Metropolitan of Zambia:
It is with great pleasure and honour to contact Your Excellency and extend the blessings of His Beatitude the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodoros II.
We hereby would like to inform you that since 1987, the United States of America Government has declared March 25th as a day dedicated to Democracy and every year the White House celebrates the “National Day of the Hellenic and American Democracy”.
The choice of March 25th as a day for Democracy reflects the great importance that date has for Hellenism, as on March 25th, 1821 the National Liberation Struggle of Greece, which was under the colonial structure of the Ottoman Empire, began. Therefore, as a recognition of the contribution of the Greek spirit and philosophy, which gave birth to and introduced the concept of Democracy in world culture, the American Government decided to declare the National Day of Greek State as “National Day of Democracy”.The year 2020-2021 is a milestone year for the Hellenic Republic, as it marks the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Greek State. At the same time, it is a festive year for the Hellenism of Zambia, as it marks the 125th anniversary of the Greek presence in the country and 75 years since the founding of the Greek in Zambia.
In this context, we make a proposal to Your Excellency, as the President of the Republic of a friendly country that knows well what the struggle for liberation, national independence, decolonization and self-determination means for a people – since the people of Zambia also fought for liberation from British colonialism – to also announce like the American authorities did, the March 25th as a “Day dedicated to the Hellenic and Zambian Democracy”.
Such a proclamation by Your Excellency at the State House could be the appropriate inauguration ceremony for a series of festive events, which will be organized by the Consulate General of Greece in Lusaka in good cooperation with the Orthodox Archdiocese of Zambia and with participation of whole the Greek community in Zambia. It will be a diverse program of festive events, which will last for a whole year and will include joint actions with government structures (eg University of Zambia) and Embassies of other countries in the country. We believe that such a promotion of the concept and ideals of Democracy would be particularly helpful for you in view of the upcoming electoral contest of 2021.
Greece and Zambia have built enhanced friendly bounds, based on mutual respect, shared values and continuing engagement for freedom, justice and sovereignty.
Looking forward to Your positive response, the Consulate General of Greece in Lusaka and the Orthodox Archdiocese of Zambia thank You for your love and your openness to the Greek Community in Your country.
With exceptional love, gratitude and honor.Archbishop of Zambia Ioannis