The Hellenic Parade of Montreal that was scheduled to take place in Jean-Talon Street on March 29, 2020, has been canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

“While I am disappointed that our annual parade will not take place, public health and safety must come first”, Mr. Louis Hondronicolas, Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal said to THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES newspaper. “I would like to wish everyone a Happy Greek Independence Day, and look forward to seeing everyone next year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence.”

The president of the Canadian Hellenic Congress, who is also a dental surgeon, Dr. Theodore Halatsis said that having the festivities would “pose unnecessary risk”.

This annual celebration of Hellenic identity, through which all Hellenes express and promote their culture and achievements to the world, commemorates Greece’s independence after 400 years of Turkish Ottoman rule, and also is a day of Greek-Canadian pride.

The Greek Independence Day Parade has become a Montreal City traditional event for more than 40 years that offers an afternoon of Hellenic culture, pride and inspiration for all ages.

The postponement of the festivities come as several other major events around the city are canceled amid growing concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak in Montreal.