“Long Live Greece!” Proclaims NYC’s Mayor Mamdani on Greek Independence Anniversary

Mamdani highlighted the enslaved of relationship connecting New York and Athens. File photo. © PHOTOS: GANP/Dimitrios Panagos

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosted a reception astatine Gracie Mansion to observe the 205th day of Greek Independence, attended by leaders from the Greek-American community, the Church, the diplomatic corps, and civilian society.

In his address, Mayor Mamdani welcomed the guests to Gracie Mansion with a resounding “Zito one Ellada” (Long unrecorded Greece). He noted that New York City mayors person a long-standing contented of honoring Greek Independence Day, whether by marching successful the Fifth Avenue parade oregon hosting events astatine City Hall.

Mamdani emphasized that New York is location to much Greeks than immoderate different metropolis successful the United States, praising the community’s lasting power connected regular life—from antiauthoritarian ideals to the taste vibrancy of neighborhoods similar Astoria.

During the event, the Mayor extended a lukewarm invited to Archbishop Elpidophoros, Consul General of Greece Ifigenia Kanara, Consul General of Cyprus Constantinos Poyadjis, the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Ambassador Angeliki Balta, and the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN Ambassador Maria Michael.

He spoke warmly of the community’s spirit, noting that during caller Greek independency celebrations, helium was profoundly moved by the enslaved of relationship connecting New York and Athens, which visibly fills Fifth Avenue during the yearly parade.

The Mayor remarked that independency is “the enactment of the people,” linking the Greek conflict for state to his administration’s committedness to supporting working-class New Yorkers done policies similar kid attraction and tiny concern protections.

Mamdani’s tribute to Greek-Americans

Speaking arsenic a erstwhile State Assembly Member representing Astoria and Long Island City, helium reminisced astir section Greek-owned businesses and the idiosyncratic ties helium has built with the community.

Finally, Mayor Mamdani paid tribute to Greek-Americans who service New York City, making peculiar notation of NYPD Officer Anastasios Sakos, who mislaid his beingness successful the enactment of work and was precocious honored with a thoroughfare co-naming successful Astoria.

🇺🇸🇬🇷 BREAKING —

Zohran Mamdani Praised Greek Culture.

“From the ideology that we cherish and enactment to uphold, to the aromas of lamb souvlaki…” pic.twitter.com/M3ob26HflY

— Pamphlets (@PamphletsY) May 6, 2026

Historic bonds betwixt Greece and New York

The lawsuit opened with remarks by Zach Fritschinger, First Deputy Commissioner astatine the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement. He highlighted the city’s “wonderful relationship” with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and thanked them for their collaboration successful organizing the reception.

The Consul General of Greece successful New York, Ambassador Ifigenia Kanara, thanked the Mayor for his hospitality. She described the lawsuit arsenic a “tribute to the enduring ideals of state and self-determination,” and a reminder of the “profound and challenging struggle” of the Greek Revolution. She noted that the gyration of 1821 was defined by “sacrifice,” “resilience,” and an “unwavering content successful quality dignity”—ideals that proceed to resonate powerfully today.

Ambassador Kanara besides emphasized the historical bonds betwixt Greece and New York, paying tribute to the Greek-American community’s contributions to the city’s political, cultural, and economical life. From Astoria to Manhattan, she noted, generations of Greeks and Greek-Americans person helped signifier New York’s “economic vitality, taste richness, and societal fabric.”