NEW YORK — On Wednesday, March 18, an exclusive event was held at The Russian Tea Room in Manhattan to commemorate 205 years of Greek Independence, as well as 250 years of American liberty.
The special evening not only highlighted the Greek War of Independence of 1821, but the shared ideals of freedom and civic responsibility that unite Greece with the United States, which was founded in 1776, as well as the valuable contributions of Greek-Americans to the civic, cultural, and public life of our nation.
Hosted by the Chairman of the 2026 New York Greek Independence Day Parade, sponsor, and the East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance (EMBCA) President, Lou Katsos, in association with the Parade Professional Societies Chair, Eftihia Pylarinou-Piper, the event kicked off at 6:30 PM, and brought together friends, colleagues, and members of the Greek media and community, who enjoyed cocktails and conversations of shared excitement ahead of the upcoming annual Greek Parade in New York.
Consul General of Greece Iphigenia Kanara and Consul General of Cyprus Kyriakos Pogiatzis. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas
Some of the people in attendance included Greece’s Consul General in New York Iphigenia Kanara, the General of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis, the Greek-American billionaire, and philanthropist John Catsimatidis, Capital Link’s Nicholas and Olga Bornozis, Hellenic Professional Women president, Evelyn Bilias Lolis, Greek-American comedian and author, Gus Constantellis, popular Greek influencer and Sagapo founder Evelyn Antae Boatenk, and Eurovision contestant and Greek American singer Victoria Anastasia.
The event officially commenced with a performance of the American National anthem, which was performed by Victoria Anastasia. The Greek anthem then followed, sung by Costas Tsourakis.
A moment of silence followed in honor of Ernie Anastos, the acclaimed and beloved Greek-American news anchor who passed away on March 12.
In his address, Katsos thanked everyone for attending, as well all the people who have worked tirelessly and spent “tremendous hours” preparing for the annual Greek parade.
“This year’s a special year – it’s the 205th anniversary of Hellenic Independence and the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and we show how the countries are linked with each other, and we also show how the Hellenic revolution for example affected the American abolitionist movement,” Katsos said.
Some of the special guests at the Greek Independence event in Manhattan. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas
Tribute to Ernie Anastos
John Catsimatidis took to the podium, first opening by honoring the late Ernie Anastos. In his speech, he noted how, “the very sad thing about today is me and Lou Katsos called Ernie Anastos to be here tonight.”
“I talked to him last Friday. And you know, he works for WABC – ever since he left Channel Five, he’s been working for WABC, and he was ready to come back to work. He had a little bit of a problem with his throat and well, he says, ‘I’ll be back soon,’” Catsimatidis shared.
“Τhe fact is, then I get the phone call that he’s in the hospital because he wasn’t feeling good. I spoke to Kelly, his wife, and she says: I took him into the hospital because he had a little bit of pneumonia on Monday and Tuesday. The doctors told him that you’re gonna get out of the hospital, you’re okay’. Wednesday, he passed – χάλια.”
“Αnd you know, I went on the radio, we go on the radio at 5:02, they told me at 5:01, and I just laid back in my seat. I said, ‘oh my God’.
Catsimatidis Looks Forward to Greek Parade
Catsimatidis, who said that he advises the Parade committee along with “Lou Katsos, Ernie, Rosanna Scotto and Nick Gregory…and whoever else was involved.” He noted the Parade TV coverage “we did on Channel Nine for, like, 12 years, 13 years… And Ernie did a great job. Nick Gregory did a great job, Rosanna Scotto did a great job – I think we should honor Ernie for doing all he’s done for the Greek parade for 12 to 15, to 20 years.”
Capital Link President Nicolas Bornozis and Managing Director Olga Bornozi. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas
Catsimatidis then continued by saying, “look, I got Greek blood, and I’d be happy to be at the parade, I’d be happy to help Lou in any way, and you know, you guys got a good man being chairman.”
“Lou Katsos is really excellent. He is dedicated, he loves the Greek people, he loves telling a little bit of history, and you know, WABC will do anything you need us to do,” he added.
The Bornozis siblings from Capital Link also shared a few words at the event. “We are honored, we are touched, we are happy – we thank you very much,” Olga Bornozis said in her address.
“We congratulate all of you,” she added, “the whole team, Lou, and everybody else. The Greek parade, I think, is very important, not only for all of us living here in the U.S., but for all those living in Greece. So proud to know that the colors of the Greek flag have a parade here in New York at Fifth Avenue.”
She concluded on a personal note: “Greece is the country where we were born, but the United States is our second country, which gave us the opportunity, not only to advance in our own work, but with our work, to promote Greece.”
Her brother, and the founder of Capital Link, Nicholas Bornozis, shared how he was “deeply honored” to be recognized for his company’s contributions over the years.
“As we all know, there was a period that Greece did not make the headlines in the best possible way. So, especially at that time, it was important to keep the flag up. So, we are very happy to have done it for quite some time now,” Bornozis said.
The commemorative event was held at the Russian Tea Room. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas
He added how after living in New York for 44 years, he described it as “an amazing place to be”, where Greek heritage is combined with the American opportunity.
Discussing the upcoming Parade, Greece’s Consul General in New York Iphigenia Kanara said she was grateful to those organizing the annual event as they’re “giving our homeland an opportunity to celebrate on the Fifth Avenue, which is an honor actually that not many countries share. So, this is something that we should never forget, and this is why we should all work very hard to make sure that it’s going to be a successful parade.”
She continued: “As Lou said, it’s a unique historical juncture this year, and for this reason, I’m particularly happy that you have given to this effort, especially this year, an education component. And it’s very important not only for the youth, but also for all of us to understand a little bit of the background about how the two countries have been connected, not only lately, but… since the past, and how the two revolutions have influenced each other, how Greeks, worked with the Americans in order to promote their independence, how they got inspired by the American Revolution.”
Hellenic Profession Women President Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis, TNH journalist Evelyn Karatzas, and Evelyn Antae Boatenk, the founder of Sagapo. Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis
The General of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis added how although Cyprus did not revolt with the rest of the Greek world 205 years ago, “it contributed financially to the struggle for independence.”
“Konstantinos Kanaris went on the northern shore of Cyprus just months before the revolution to collect money and troops for the struggle,” Pogiatzis said.
“And of course, we have many chapters participating in the parade this year, as always. Thank you to the Grand Marshals and to all the members of the committee – we look forward to a really successful parade.”
Katsos additionally highlighted how this reception was part of 20 official events leading to the Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, which will be held on Sunday, April 26.
New York Greek Independence Day Parade chairman Lou Katsos. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas
New York Greek Independence Day Parade chairman Lou Katsos, at right, with guests including popular Greek influencer and Sagapo founder Evelyn Antae Boatenk and comedian and author Gus Constantellis at the Russian Tea Room. Photo: Evelyn Karatzas
