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Video: Greek contingent parades before the Arc de Triomphe
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece /Culture & Society

Video: Greek contingent parades before the Arc de Triomphe

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Greece and Cyprus participated in France's Bastille Day military parade in Paris, showcasing strong European partnerships.
  • A Greek contingent marched alongside French and Cypriot troops, while Hellenic Air Force Rafale jets flew overhead.
  • The parade also featured contingents from 35 countries, with Ukrainian soldiers closing the European formations, highlighting solidarity.

Paris celebrated its national day with a grand military parade on the Champs-ร‰lysรฉes, featuring a prominent Greek presence that underscored the strong military cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and France. A 21-member honor guard from Greece's Interdisciplinary Company of Tributes marched proudly, drawing warm applause.

Greece and Cyprus marched proudly down the Champs-ร‰lysรฉes for Franceโ€™s Bastille Day celebrations, showcasing the strong partnership between the three nations.

โ€” Greek City TimesA social media post highlighting the participation of Greek and Cypriot troops.

Adding to the spectacle, Hellenic Air Force Rafale fighter jets soared over the Parisian sky, symbolizing the close defense ties between Athens and Paris. This participation highlighted Greece's role in European military collaboration, a theme central to this year's Bastille Day celebrations.

The parade showcased troops from 35 allied nations, with Ukrainian soldiers concluding the European contingents. Their presence, met with enthusiastic applause, served as a powerful symbol of solidarity. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the Ukrainian contingent as a "symbol of fraternity, courage, and shared destiny."

Bonne fรชte nationale ร  la France! The interdisciplinary honor guard of #GEETHA, with a 21-member infantry contingent (3 officers and 18 soldiers), participated in the grand military parade for France's national day, alongside the participation of Greek Rafale jets.

โ€” ฮ“ฮ•ฮ•ฮ˜ฮ‘-HNDGSA social media post from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff about the parade.

This event also marked a historical echo, as a Greek military contingent previously marched past the Arc de Triomphe on July 14, 1919, following the end of World War I. The 2026 parade, attended by leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, emphasized European unity and shared values.

Symbol of fraternity, courage, and shared destiny.

โ€” Emmanuel MacronFrench President Emmanuel Macron describing the presence of the Ukrainian contingent.
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Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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