NEW YORK – On April 22, Greeks and Cypriots came together at the upscale Greek restaurant, Kyma in the Flatiron District to connect and celebrate their Greek roots ahead of the annual Greek parade in New York.
Held by a variety of organizations, associations, and churches – including the National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of America, Philo4Thought, PAREA St Nicholas WTC, Maids of Athena District 6, Annunciation Greek Orthodox NYC, Cathedral Connect, Live Mazi, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, Hellenic Lawyers Association, Cypriot Young Professionals, Hellenic American Chamber, Messinian Association of New York ‘Aristomenis’, District 6 Sons of Pericles, Hellenic Professional Women, Greek American Chamber, Benevolent Society of Eleftheriani, and the Hellenic American Bankers Association – the Greek Independence Day Pre-Parade Happy Hour welcomed around 125 guests.
The annual event, which began back in 2022, offered a lively and highly engaging opportunity for guests to meet and mingle, while enjoying Greek music, drinks, and a taste of Greek nightlife.
Commencing at 6:30 PM, the two-hour event carried on until just past 9 PM – reflecting the lively energy and enjoyment of the event.
Alex Paul, Nefelie Kiskinis and Noelle Fikaris at Kyma in the Flatiron District. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
Some of the popular faces in the community recognized at the event included the talented Ghanian-Greek influencer, chef, and founder of Sagapo, Evelyn Antae Boatenk, the inspiring founder of ‘Moments. Gallery’, Vasia Makris, and the content creator and founder of the @Cyprus Instagram page, Chris Odysseos.
The Evzones, who traveled from Greece especially for the annual parade, were also in attendance, and were spotted posing for photos and engaging with attendees.
Speaking with The National Herald, one of the organizers of the event, who also serves as NHSA’s IT director, Evangelia Kahremanis, discussed what it means to them to get together ahead of the parade.
“The event yesterday was about uniting the Greek-Americans of New York City with each other and the Evzones, to celebrate the culture and independence of our heritage, which runs strongly in New York,” Kahremanis told TNH.
“It felt wonderful to see many familiar faces as well as meet new people, and introduce them to the Hellenic community of New York City. We truly are like a family.”
Kahremanis further added how hosting mixer events like this is “incredibly special to both her and the NHSA.”
The Pre-Parade Happy Hour took place in Kyma’s basement. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
“We are all very involved with the Hellenic culture and consider it a significant piece of our identity, despite living in the USA and Canada,” she added.
“No matter where we have events, it feels like a family away from home.”
She added the NHSA will be hosting several other events throughout the year, including a 5K run on Saturday, April 25, and a conference in Toronto in the fall.
Kostas Ouranitsas, MHSA’s chairman, said to TNH following the event: “Each year we have the pleasure to gather the young adult community through a collaborative Pre-Parade Happy Hour. We are grateful to all the societies that co-hosted this event and to Kyma for their support.”
Some of the young Greeks and Cypriots in attendance further commented on how they felt to celebrate another year of the annual Greek parade and what they loved most about it.
“This year I’m excited to attend the parade because I get to do it with my Greek friends and have fun hanging out with them,” Nefelie Kiskinis told TNH.
“I also get the chance to connect with other Greeks in New York and build my own personal Greek community in the city.
“What I love most about attending the parade is seeing all the floats, the music, the food, the vibes, and most of all getting to show off my Greek pride.”
As someone who remembers attending the parade from as young as four years old, Kiskinis reflected on what it meant to her to celebrate her Hellenic heritage in the U.S. “Getting to celebrate Greek independence in New York makes me feel like I’m not entirely missing out on all the celebrations in Greece,” she said. Though it’s not the same, it’s still something that makes me feel close to home.”
Alex Paul also expressed his excitement towards the parade, highlighting how “as the Greek community in NYC thins out and people move away, it’s more important than ever to show up in numbers and support our friends and families.”
He noted how his favorite part of attending the parade is “seeing the many familiar faces from all the circles of Greek life.”
“Seeing those people from school, church, restaurants and cafes, and various Greek events over the years” is important to him. “As we grow older it becomes especially more difficult to keep up with everyone, but the Greek parade brings us all back together,” Paul told TNH.
(left to right) Vasia Makris, Evelyn Antae Boatenk, Nefelie Kiskinis, Noelle Fikaris, Evelyn Karatzas and Alex Paul. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
Paul additionally noted how he’s been attending the Parade for almost 30 years, with his earliest memories involving him marching dressed as the Olympic mascot of Greece in 2004, Foivos.
He added how he felt to celebrate Greece and Greece’s independence here in New York, through social events and the annual parade.
“I am proud of my Greek background, especially as a Greek-American. Greece’s war of independence was heavily influenced by the American revolution; the U.S. was the first colony to break free of a European power, and Greece [supported and inspired by the Americans] was the first country to ever to break free and gain independence from the Ottoman Empire,” he said.
“Both Greece and the U.S. very symbolically inspired independence movements across the world. So, while we Greek-Americans seek close connection to our Greek roots, I think it is just as important to celebrate our American roots in our big happy cross-Atlantic family.”
Following the event, many attendees from the Pre-Parade Happy Hour were also spotted enjoying a gyro at Tziki, the fast-casual Greek souvlatzidiko in Chelsea around 10 PM – finishing the night off in true Greek style.
Evelyn Antae Boatenk and Vasia Makris with the Evzones at Kyma. (Photo: Courtesy of Evelyn Antae Boatenk)
Event attendees spotted at Tziki in Chelsea following the Pre-Parade mixer. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
