A vintage YouTube video spotlighting Greece’s esteemed guardians, the Evzones, has resurged in popularity across various social media platforms. Gaining over 178,000 views on YouTube alone, the video showcases the Evzones’ distinctive marching style in slow motion.
Their remarkable high kicks and precise maneuvers, often dubbed a “mid-air foot ballet” by fascinated viewers, are truly captivating. However, the spectacle extends beyond their movements. The Evzones’ traditional attire, including a white skirt with 400 symbolic folds representing the 400 years of Ottoman rule, and their weighty pom-pommed shoes, each weighing over 3 kilograms, add another layer of allure.
The video has sparked both amusement and intrigue online, with many commenting on the guards’ quirky yet mesmerizing performance. Yet, beneath the surface lies a deeper significance. The Evzones, stationed at the Greek Parliament, stand guard in one-hour shifts, repeating this duty three times within 48 hours.
Their synchronized movements and the distinctive clinking sound produced by the 60 nails on their shoes, known as Tsarouchia, are said to mimic the sounds of horses. Legend has it that King Otto, yearning for the familiar sounds of his native Bavaria, had his guards replicate the clatter of horseshoes to ease his homesickness.
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Whether it’s the historical symbolism of their attire or the captivating nature of their marching style, the Evzones have seized the internet’s attention, demonstrating that even a ceremonial changing of the guard can become a viral sensation.
But who exactly are the Evzones? They are elite soldiers in Greece with a rich and storied history. Originally, they served as light infantry and mountain units within the Greek Army. Today, the term specifically denotes members of the Presidential Guard, a ceremonial unit stationed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens’ Syntagma Square, in front of the Hellenic Parliament.
While their duties are largely ceremonial, these Evzones are all volunteers meticulously selected from the Hellenic Army’s Infantry Corps. Interestingly, potential Evzones are identified as early as basic training, with a minimum height requirement of an imposing 1.95 meters (6′ 5″).
The Evzones are instantly recognizable by their unique uniform, which traces its origins back to the attire worn by klephts, Greek resistance fighters who opposed Ottoman rule. The most distinctive element of this uniform is the fustanella, a garment resembling a kilt. This iconic attire has cemented the Evzones as a popular symbol of Greek military heritage, particularly among international audiences.
