Aww... I loved our visit to Rome and Vatican some time back too. Hoping to bring some clips from it .... was not planning on doing RU-vid at the time. I will try my best to do some justice to your country.
Hi Jim, Found some details for you ..'The tsarouchi, the flat, hard-soled shoe with the famous large pompon at its end, is an iconic part of the Greek traditional costume, especially for the Greek soldiers known as evzones. The shoe also plays a large part in the history of Greece, as it is the shoe that the great warriors of the Greek War of Independence wore. Due to its connection with heroes from the war, the tsarouchi has become world-famous as an integral part of Greece’s national costume. Greeks in rural and mountainous areas wore tsarouchia for centuries and even donned the traditional shoe until as late as the 1960s. They were worn by farmers and men who worked outdoors in Greece because they were durable and of high quality. As for the tsarouchi’s iconic pompons, they would protect the toes from the snow and cold, and helped make the shoe waterproof. The pompons also served as a handy place to stash a small knife.'
This is what intrigued me as well.. Richard.. I googled it and saw this 'The tale goes that when a young King Otto moved from Bavaria to Greece to take the throne, he could no longer hear the sounds he loved - that of horses. So he made his guards walk in this fashion to replicate the sound and therefore, make him feel like he was closer to home..' But not sure how true this is though. May be someone with greater knowledge can enlighten us....
@@XarosAkritas Indeed, and the rising of the foot high, symbolises the marching forward of the Evzones into battle (the Evzonic regiments were light infantry who took part in all the wars from 1864-WWII afterall) and the stepping on and over dead bodies (especially during the deadliest & bloodiest battle for the Evzones, in Kressna, against the Bulgarians during the 2nd Balkan War of 1913).
Fustanella - Traditional Albanian attire used up to the beginning of the 20th century. You can check paintings from 1800s French and other painters of Albanian royal guards in Cairo, Egypt. Greeks and Albanians lived side by side for centuries, so some similarities are expected; and probably Arvanites who were very active in the war for Greek independence influenced the charming outfit of the Greek guards. Great show.
@@hollyandsnowbucketlist Thanks. Greece and the Southeast Europe is a place full of history, artefacts from past civilizations, invasions and wars. People there are very passionate, friendly and welcoming to foreigners. I doubt that there is another region in Europe packed with history as SE Europe, torn apart between West Roman Empire (Rome) and East Roman Empire (Byzantium), Ottomans, two world wars, communist dictatorship in one part of it and military junta in the other; a place where people share centuries of common history, yet are divided by language, nationality, religion, geopolitics, pride and hate; extreme unltranationalism to international socialist solidarity. Beautiful Mediterranean climate and beaches, snowy mountain peaks, and pristine landscapes to explore; and delicious food and hospitality; definitely a place worth of visiting.
@@HK-pp9ig Thanks for the facts. We loved visiting Greece and meeting it's worm and very free thinking people. It's a true paradise ... need to visit again in the summer time to see the islands.
The euzones are the elite of the greek army with the hardest training and those who have been taught history in school know that these soldiers with this uniform became the terror and fear of the ottomans in 1821 and they took the lead in the battles of the greeks for their freedom. Respect, then, to those who, when they erected the Parthenon using the numbers π and φ 2.500 years ago your and all the other peoples lived on the trees, jumping from branch to branch.
Soldiers in skirts heck why mot they're just as tough as those who wear fatigues the Greek soldiers who dress like this they have certain requirements to meet wouldn't want to get in a fight with these soldiers
The euzones are the elite of the greek army with the hardest training and those who have been taught history in school know that these soldiers with this uniform became the terror and fear of the ottomans in 1821 and they took the lead in the battles of the greeks for their freedom. respect, then, to those who, when they erected the Parthenon, all the other peoples lived on the trees, jumping from branch to branch.
Ese uniforme griego si que parece estrafalario, rediculo , hace quedar mal a los griegos, era más mejor el antiguo uniforme Hipólita . Esos zapatos de Chaplin , faldas de damas, ya es el colmo de ver este espetaculo griego jocoso de mal gusto.
There are not skirts. A little bit of history will not hurt you! Have a look in to the antic uniform of soldiers and the traditional way of dressing in balkans.
You don't have to be brought up with the British Army. I think everybody else share your sentiment and are just too polite to speak up. The sight of men wearing ... tutus and pompom on their shoes ... is so un-military. It draws laughter rather than awe and respect.
The Bulgarians brought the pants to Europe in 7th century AD. Prior to this, all European tribes including the Romans wore skirts. The men look funny this way.
I don't mind the skirts; the Scots have the kilts. Certain other cultures have wrap around clothing for men in lieu of pants. That's common knowledge. My issue is: Why the flared edges on the mini-skirts? It resembles a ballerina. Why the pomp poms on the shoes? Why the white panty-hoses? This is supposed to be serious stuff. The whole ensemble is more like someone's idea of joke.
@@kaimalino528 well the beefeaters of london tower wear hose and garters, pom poms are worn by Scots and the French in their hats.they resemble the clothes of medieval Italy a bit
The euzones are the elite of the greek army with the hardest training and those who have been taught history in school know that these soldiers with this uniform became the terror and fear of the ottomans in 1821 and they took the lead in the battles of the greeks for their freedom. Respect, then, to those who, when they erected the Parthenon, all the other peoples lived oin the trees, jumping from branch to branch.
@@hollyandsnowbucketlist This step is called " the tsarouhi/ τσαρούχι" which is the name of the shoes they are wearing and when they stand next to each other and then slowly raise their united legs, it symbolizes a "Π" shape which represents a bridge of unity and the might of the Eyzones. At the same time, the observer should be facing toward the vigil oil lamp and cross above the tomb of the unknown soldier. Their slow paces are meant to reference a heavy traditional dance called "Tsamiko" and when they drag one leg before lifting it, it creates an allusion to the number 4 which refers to the 400 years of Ottoman rule. Their immobility is also a reference to statues and their stoic resilience through time and history, underscoring the fact that the Eyzones never retreat. Never step back. They always stand firm. I hope this helped a bit.
Just copying from sources in the internet: During a demonstration in front of the Parliament in 2001, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at one of the guardhouses. The wooden construction was engulfed in flames. The Evzone on guard next to it remained in place until an officer gave him the order to move. With a scorched and partly smoking uniform on one side, the Evzone did so. In January 2010, a makeshift bomb was placed 20 meters from where the Evzones guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Syntagma Square. Although the police informed the Evzones of the imminent threat, the Guards refused to leave their posts and remained on guard while the bomb exploded. All Evzones are volunteers drawn from the Hellenic Army's Infantry Corps. Prospective Evzones are initially identified at the Infantry Recruit Training Centres during Basic Training. There is a minimum height requirement of 1.87 metres (6 feet 2 inches) to join. You also have to be male, Greek Orthodox Christian, caucasian and with no visible tatoos. It used to be with no tatoos at all.
I was there this morning (15 Sep 2024) to watch, 1.5 hrs early. After no direction from the authorities, the police came and had the whole polite crowd of hundreds move backward across the four-lane boulevard. Consequently, most could see nothing or only the caps of the military personnel. The initial ceremony seemed to be brief, only 10 minutes or so, and when the soldiers dispersed, so did the crowd.Then a military band came from a side street with soldiers and sailors. But the dispersing audience made watching impossible. So, not the best organized event. I'm hoping the Greeks can fight better than they can organize a crowd attending a changing of the guard.
I'm not sure why the soldiers dress this way, but I think it would be very cool if they dressed in some form of modernized greek hoplite armor. I would visit Greece in a minute.
@icecreamjones3715 ΑΥΤΟΙ ΟΙ ΑΝΤΡΕΣ ΓΑΜΑΝΕ ΤΗΝ ΜΑΝΑ ΣΟΥ ΠΟΥΣΤΗ. ΤΟ ΠΕΝΤΙΚΙΟΥΡ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΚΑΛΣΟΝ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΕΣΕΝΑ, ΚΑΙ Η ΠΕΡΙΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΠΡΟΣΩΠΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΠΟΥΣΤΗ ΠΑΤΕΡΑ ΣΟΥ.😎
Hi Domic, As per my research to be considered, you must be: Male At least 6ft 2 in height Greek Christian Orthodox Caucasian Have no medical complaints Have no visible tattoos I have come across some information stating the following too, 'The presidential guard is an elite unit. Soldiers serving their mandatory military service are handpicked for their physical strength and traits. An evzone must stand at least 1.87 meters tall, it’s preferable for their knees to touch as they stand upright, and they must be fit enough to raise their legs to shoulder height, completely straight, as they march back and forth each day. This is all accomplished through five weeks of top-secret training that almost half of all chosen candidates fail to complete.'
I think I read somewhere about the number of studs in their shoes. Both the number (can’t remember why) but it has to do with a ruler missing the sounds of horse hooves in the street. And I believe the uniform is relatively young compared to Scots & Irish guards. It is one of the most unusual ceremonies.
I just have to say that I love this unit. There is no match in european armies. They are all so boring. The uniform is majestic. I like that they march slow and raise hands. Movement is big like those greek letters.
The comments about these soldiers wearing "skirts" seem to forget that Scottish and Irish regiments in the UK also wear a form of skirt - called a kilt as "dress" uniforms, as well as more practical "fatigues" for work. But I AM puzzled about the marching steps - it appears they are derived from ballet-steps - do they have a choreographer instead of a drill instructor?. Perhaps we should also remember the "goose-steps" of the Nazis and Italian soldiers from the World War II era.
I appreciate the "kilt". These are not "kilts". Glad you mentioned "ballet". These "skirts" have an uncanny resemblance to "tutus", especially with their flared edges. The pompoms on these shoes really don't help.
They are marching that way shaking the ground, because they want our ancestors (buried under this holy ground) who fought and died for freedom to know that we are here defending our country as you did in the past.
@@kaimalino528 hello. The skirts may be reminiscent of a ballet tutu to most people, however, they actually symbolize the 400 years of Ottoman rule our nation suffered from. Each pleat represents a year of the occupation hence the 400 pleats. This uniform is the official uniform worn on Sundays for the changing of the guards and in other official events. There are several other uniforms as well, different in design, e.g. winter -summer ones. They all have significant historical meaning and symbolism. They are all handmade by craftsmen who specialize in traditional clothing. The pompoms were actually a camouflage for small hidden blades with which the Eyzones inflicted unexpected damage. Every single part of the uniform has a symbolic meaning. The white in the "whites" [τα Λευκά] as this uniformed is called by the Eyzones, symbolizes the purity of the passion for freedom which was transformed into the passionate struggle for Liberty. I hope this provides some further insight into our Eyzones. :)
They need a new uniform - desperately. Officers I take it have longer skirts. I believe the shoes clatter because of wooden Soles. It can only get better for a country where toilet paper cannot be put down the toilet.
The Albanian fustanella 😂😂 that got intoduced to them by the arvanitas Albanian or arberor during the war for freedom and they made it ethnic to maintain a nationality cause every drawing of the revolution is with arvanitas so wore the fustanella but here they changed it a bit made it shorter like a stripper dress
@@JapanMonAmourTheJapanHouse it’s a tradition just cause put it in their national guard doesn’t mean it’s Greeks and this here is not even the real fustanella but a cheap copy that they made like a mini skirt
I am Greek Macedonian, the Athenians called barbarians. Well, I call them sissies and am not impressed by their ceremonies. The British and Americans do a much more impressive job of it. Then there are the Scots, who claim ancestry from a Macedonian king. whence the kilts,
It’s tru they claim ancestry from an albanomacedonian king. The Celts kelton keli kali kalis kalors καλλις. All this mean 🐎 horse from pellasgoillyrian Kali. Horse 😮😮😮😊😊😊
@@ersoy47 I know all about you guys. I spent 3 months touring Turkey. I was at Ulu Deniz when there was nothing but sharks, snakes and scorpions. They roasted a lamb in my honor there. Great hospitality.
@@katerinatsoliakou235 Die Garde Uniformen sehen auch komisch aus! Soldaten mit rücken! dazu diese Stoff Kugel am Schuhen sieht wie Parade von Schwulen! aber nicht als Elite Garde! und dazu diese komische schritte!!! die sehen nicht kriegerisch aus!!
@@sofokliskaranasios7859 auto eipa H Pelazgi Ylliri meta h Arvanites ke akoma shmera h Alvani.esu eisai kratos apo 1821 ke meta .gt den exeis episimi mera giorti prin to 1821
@@cubicubi9839 Καμμία σχέση Ιλλυριών και Πελασγών με τους σημερινους Αλβανούς. Οι αλβανοι εμφανίζονται στην ιστορία τον 11ο αιώνα μχ. Και το ξέρουμε απο έλληνες-ρωμιους ιστορικούς.Γιατί αλβανοί ιστορικοί δεν υπήρχαν ! Η πρώτη επιβεβαιωμένη, γραπτή μαρτυρία της Αλβανικής προέρχεται από γράμμα του αρχιεπισκόπου του Δυρραχίου Παύλου Αγγέλου (Paulus Angelus, στα Αλβανικά Pal Engjëll) το οποίο χρονολογείται στα 1462 Οι έλληνες είχαν κράτη, γραφή και πολιτισμό από την εποχή των Μυκηναίων.Το ελληνικό-βυζαντινό κράτος καταστραφηκε από τους τουρκους το 1453 και οι έλληνες το ξανάφτιαξαν το 1821.Πολεμώντας τους καλύτερους συνεργάτες των τουρκων. Τους μουσουλμάνους αλβανούς!!
