After mounting pressure the NSW Government has finally agreed to approve the projection of the Greek Flag on the Sydney Opera House on 25 March 2021 which will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the commencement of the War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire! The original request by the Greek Orthodox Community for the Greek flag to be projected on the iconic building, was met with a price tag estimated to amount to $50,000.
Photograph from Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and Greek Reporter
The response the the initial decision by the NSW government not to intervene was disgraceful given the role played and the contribution made by the Greek community in Australia which is estimated to total over a million people. A petition started by Costa Dantos through change.org together with pressure placed on the NSW Government by the opposition and various other Hellenic Groups was enough to convince the NSW Government to intervene and allow the projection on this important day in the history of the world. It is disgraceful that any pressure had to be applied but credit should be given to the NSW government for finally intervening.
Mark Buttigieg, a member of the ALP Opposition party in the NSW parliament spoke forcefully for the proposal, explaining how much the day meant to Greeks. He called out the government for its “rank hypocrisy”:
“Today in Parliament – I pointed out the Berejiklian government’s rank hypocrisy – it’s fine to project adverts for gambling onto the Sydneyt Opera House but not the Greek flag in recognition of Greek Independence Day!......The Berejiklian Government should respect the wonderful people with Greek heritage that live in our state!”