Anna Vissi

In Honor of 186th Anniversary of Greek Independence

Parade Dedicated to Religious Freedom

Honorary Parade Chairman: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Parade Chairman: John Catsimatidis

Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Nick Davatzes, CEO Emeritus of A&E TV Networks Grand Marshals,

Greece’s Top Entertainer Anna Vissi, Honorary Marshal

Featuring Greece’s elite Presidential Guard and The Hellenic Navy Band
First-Ever Televised Parade on WWOR-TV My9, Hosted by FOX 5 Anchors
Ernie Anastos, Rosanna Scotto, Nick Gregory

New York – The Greek Communities of New York, NJ and CT and Philhellene communities statewide and beyond take to the streets of Fifth Avenue today to celebrate the 186th Anniversary of the Greek revolt in 1812 against 400 years of Ottoman Rule. Joining the parade will be many Greek dignitaries including the Hon. Vice President of the Hellenic Parliament John Tragakis, the elite Presidential Guard, and the Hellenic Navy Band. State and Local government officials includes NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Assemblyman Michael Gianaris, Councilmember Peter Vallone, Jr. and many others.

Greece is the birthplace of democratic ideals and its independence from the Ottoman Empire marked a triumph of these cherished ideals over tyranny and oppression. The parade starts promptly at 2pm on 59th Street & 61st Street and progresses up to 79th. Over 150 societies, schools and communities will participate featuring 56 floats, and 28 bands. (The parade was postponed last Sunday, April 15, due to the severe weather conditions.)

“I look forward to this being the most spectacular parade in the history of the Greek-American Parade,” said Catsimatidis. Religious Freedom reflects also on Democracy, which both Greece and the United States were founded on,” said Catsimatidis whose intention is to raise the recognition of the Greek-American story to an unprecedented large audience in the U.S. and abroad while raise awareness to the religious freedom crisis.

About The 76th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade: More than 100,000 participants and spectators from the New York and tri-state area are expected to attend the Greek parade, Sunday, April 15 at 1pm (along Fifth Ave). This year, the parade will be televised LIVE on Fox TV Network for two hours. Fox News’ Ernie Anastos and Nick Gregory will host this special broadcast. Honored guests include the Presidential Guard from Greece “Evzones”, Greek and U.S. government officials and celebrities. The Parade is dedicated to Religious Freedom. The annual parade on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, the largest in the country, commemorates the 186th anniversary of Greek Independence from Ottoman rule, tyranny and oppression. It honors the Greek forefathers who valiantly sacrificed their lives to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, and independence.

About Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, was organized in 1966 by the late Archbishop Iakovos of North & South America, as Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Office of Archon is the highest recognition that the Orthodox Church bestows upon its laymen. Patriarchal titles are conferred upon those selected to receive this honor of such significant recognition. It is the sworn oath of the Archon to defend and promote the Mother Church. The Order of St. Andrew meets annually to engage its membership in the various religious freedom initiatives designed to focus the world’s attention on the religious freedom crisis that threatens the survival of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Archons conduct an annual pilgrimage, which coincides with the Feast Day of St. Andrew (Nov 30) to the Mother Church in Constantinople to receive the blessings from and offer their respects to the Ecumenical Patriarch. www.archons.org

About Nick Davatzes, CEO Emeritus of A&E Television Networks

Nick Davatzes was named Chief Executive Officer Emeritus of A&E Television Networks (AETN) in April 2005. Previously, Mr. Davatzes was President and Chief Executive Officer of AETN from December 1983 to April 2005, encompassing A&E Network, The History Channel®, The Biography Channel®, History International™, The Military History Channel™, The History Channel en español™, Crime & Investigation Network™, AETN International and AETN Consumer Products. In November 2006, President George W. Bush presented Davatzes with the National Humanities Medal, in an Oval Office ceremony in recognition of his contributions to the humanities. In July 2006 he was inducted into the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame. In October 2005, the Cable Center inducted Mr. Davatzes into the Cable Television Hall of Fame Class of 2005 honoring his significant contributions to the cable telecommunications industry. In June 2003, Davatzes received the 2003 Vanguard Award for Distinguished Leadership from the National Cable Television Association and in December 2003 celebrated his 20-year anniversary at the helm of the company. During his tenure at AETN, Davatzes has been honored by his industry peers for building some of the most prominent and highly valued cable networks and for his strong support of the cable industry’s public-policy and public-affairs objectives. www.aetn.com

About Singer and Entertainer Anna Vissi

Greece’s “mega-star” will serve as Honorary Marshal at the Greek Parade. Born in Cyprus, Anna Vissi has sold over 9.5 million albums worldwide. Since 1995 together she has gone 28x platinum. In 2005, she has also enjoyed success in the U.S., claiming the number one position on the Billboard Dance Charts with Call Me. In Eurovision Song Contest 2006, Vissi and her power ballad “Everything” finished 9th, and won two awards in the categories “Best Song” and “Best Female.” According to Room 210 (Greek Magazine, 2004), Anna Vissi is considered “a true diva of the Greek musical stage, a role model for all other performers of similar genres and one who determines all the latest music and fashion trends.” Anna is “by far the best selling female Greek artist of all time” with a career that spanning over thirty years. She is known as the “mega-star” constantly appearing on covers and fashion magazines in Greece and the world. Vissi is currently on a USA and Canada tour. In April, she performs in Connecticut, New York City, Los Angeles, Atlantic City, Chicago, Montreal and Toronto. www.annavissi.info.

About The 76th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade

More than 200,000 participants and spectators from the New York and tri-state area are expected to attend the Greek parade on Sunday, April 15 at 1pm on Fifth Avenue (60th–79th St). This year will mark the first-ever televised broadcast on WWOR-TV (My9) from 1:30pm -3:30pm. Fox 5 news anchors Ernie Anastos, Rosanna Scotto and Nick Gregory will host the special two-hour live broadcast. Celebrities will include “mega-star” Anna Vissi, American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis, Guiding Light actor Frank Dicopoulos among others. Honored guests include Greek and U.S. Congressional, Senate and local government officials; the elite Presidential Guard (Evzones) from Greece; the Hellenic Navy Band, and many surprises.

New York’s Greek parade is the largest in the country. The parade commemorates the 186th anniversary of Greek Independence from Turkish Ottoman rule, tyranny and oppression and honors the Greek forefathers who valiantly sacrificed their lives to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, and independence. The celebration brings together thousands of Greek-Americans; Philhellenes, civic, religious and political organizations; members of the Greek Orthodox Church, American and Greek government officials on Fifth Avenue to honor Greek independence. All Hellenes and Philhellenes are encouraged to attend the Parade, which showcases the culture and legacy of Greece: a celebration of Greek Independence, culture, family and heritage.

About Greek Independence Day

After 400 years of rule by the Ottoman Empire, Greece declared its independence on March 25, 1821. The annual Greek American Independence Day parade is held on the closest Sunday to March 25 (except during Lenten season), a dual celebration connected with the Christian Feast of the Annunciation.

About the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York

The organizers of the annual Greek American Independence Parade, the Federation is a not-for-profit organization comprised of over 200 civic, cultural and regional organizations in the New York City area. Its mission is to preserve and promote Hellenic culture and heritage throughout the five boroughs of New York through cultural events and programs throughout the year. For more information, call 718-204-6500.

About WWOR-TV My9 and WNYW FOX 5

WWOR-TV My9 and WNYW FOX 5 are owned-and-operated by the FOX Television Stations, one of the nation’s largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprising 35 stations in 26 markets, covering nearly 45% of U.S. television homes. This includes six duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Orlando.