Greek Independence Day on ERT WORLD

ERT WORLD celebrates Greek Independence Day on March 25th with a specially curated program featuring films, documentaries, and ERT productions. In addition, on the day of the celebration, the grand military parade from Syntagma Square in Athens will also be broadcast live.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Time Machine | Informational Program | Episode: “The Persecuted Fighters of 1821”, 17:00, Athens Time

This episode features the overlooked and persecuted fighters of the Greek War of Independence. Nikitaras, Odysseas Androutsos, Bouboulina, and Manto Mavrogenous, four significant figures of the Revolution, were treated unjustly by their homeland despite their invaluable contribution. Nikitaras was persecuted and ended up a beggar, Androutsos was accused of treason, Bouboulina offered her entire fortune yet was exiled, while Mavrogenous was slandered and marginalized.

Hosted by Christos Vasilopoulos

Zalongo, the Fort of Freedom | Historical Film, 19:00, Athens Time

The heroic Souliotes manage to repel Ali Pasha’s forces, and the brave Malamos Drakos sends his mother to ask for Maro’s hand in marriage, the niece of captain Tzavelaina. She sets aside the long-standing feud between the two families and agrees, unaware that Maro is in love with Kitsos Botsaris. When her son, Fotos Tzavellas, betroths Maro to Kitsos, Malamos channels his pain into battle against the Ottomans, who attempt once again to seize Souli. To avoid falling into enemy hands, the women of Souli throw themselves off the cliff of Zalongo.

Directed by Stelios Tatasopoulos
Cast: V. Pallis, N. Sgouridou, T. Karousos, A. Zisimatos, N. Fermas, E. Zafeiriou

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Landmarks of 1821 | Documentary Series | Episode: “Souli”, 09:00, Athens Time

Two centuries after the outbreak of the Revolution, the traces of the struggle are seen everywhere. We trace the “Landmarks of 1821,” where memory is still alive.

In the episode “Souli,” the series travels through the steep slopes leading to Souli, wild yet enchanting land, as praised by Kalvos. Through 3D visualization, digital reconstruction, and reenactments, history comes alive, drawing the viewer into a timeless journey between past and present. What happened at Kougi? What did the Souliotes’ letter to Ali Pasha contain? Why was it important that fallen fighters bore no wounds on their backs? Can an entire folklore museum fit inside a house? Why are no new houses built in Souli? The sound of the clarinet echoes through abandoned settlements, while the chain of generations continues among the Tzavellas clan.

Directed by Grigoris Karantinakis
Presented by Grigoris Tziovaras

Military Parade | 11:00, Athens Time

Live broadcast of the military parade in Athens from Syntagma Square.

My Homeland’s Flag is Blue… | Documentary, 16:00, Athens Time

Vourvoura, a mountainous village in Arcadia. Its people lived in harmony with nature, sustaining themselves through their own production. After World War II and the Nazi occupation –during which the village paid a heavy toll– many emigrated, while others moved to Marousi, a once picturesque suburb of Athens that would later transform into a financial hub and host the 2004 Olympic Games. A showcase of national pride built on consumerism and excessive borrowing, until the crisis struck. With limited resources, the village school closed after 150 years. The flag that once waved proudly now lies forgotten in a drawer. A story of people, a story of a country.

Written, directed & narrated by Stelios Charalampopoulos

Bouboulina | Historical Film, 19:00, Athens Time

Laskarina Bouboulina, widowed for the second time, travels from Spetses to Odessa to meet members of the Filiki Eteria. There, she decides to join the Revolution, contributing both her fleet and her personal struggle.

Directed by Kostas Andritsos
Cast: I. Papas, A. Barkoulis, D. Papagiannopoulos, M. Myrat, G. Vasileiadou, Ch. Nezer, N. Kourkoulos

1821 The Greek War of Independence | Documentary Series | Episode: “Armed Conflict” (Part I), 23:00, Athens Time

A 13-episode documentary series that aims to concisely present this fascinating period of the revolutionary struggle and reflect on the course of the modern Greek state.

The Greek War of Independence begins in February 1821 with the proclamation of Alexandros Ypsilantis’ uprising in the Danubian Principalities, which is eventually crushed by Ottoman forces in Iași. Despite its failure, it sparks the spread of the revolutionary flame to the south, in the Peloponnese. Very soon, Greek forces in the Morea, Roumeli, and other parts of the Greek mainland clash with the Ottomans at Alamana, where Athanasios Diakos and Isaiah of Salona fall heroically in battle. At the same time, the Greeks achieve significant military victories at Vasilika and Valtetsi. This is followed by Kolokotronis’ triumph at Dervenakia, where Dramali’s army suffers a crushing defeat, allowing the Greeks to liberate Tripolitsa. Thus, during the first three years after the outbreak of the Revolution, the insurgents manage, despite certain unfavorable outcomes, such as the destruction of the Philhellenes at Peta, to consolidate their position in the liberated areas and effectively counter new Ottoman efforts aimed at suppressing the uprising in these regions.

Directed by Adamantios Petritsis and Alexandros Kakavas

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Manto Mavrogenous | Historical Film, 19:00, Athens Time

Years after the Revolution, Manto Mavrogenous reflects on her life. Despite her mother’s objections, she offered her dowry to support the struggle. She also recalls her love for Prince Ypsilantis and the intrigues of their enemies.

Directed by Kostas Karagiannis
Cast: Jenny Karezi, Petros Fysoun, Alekos Giannakas, Eleni Eremou, Spyros Xenidis, Lambros Dianellos

1821 The Greek War of Independence | Documentary Series | Episode: “Armed Conflict” (Part II), 23:00, Athens Time

The period 1824-1829 is crucial for the Greek War of Independence, as in 1824 the Revolution is shaken by two rounds of civil war. In the same year, it receives the funds of the first loan, marking Greece’s connection with the West, particularly Britain, and indirectly establishing its recognition as a legal and political entity through this financial support. The civil strife facilitates Ibrahim Pasha’s campaign in 1825 and his sweeping victories in the Peloponnese. In 1826, Missolonghi falls. The battle of Athens, at Faliro, is lost in May and June 1827. The Greek cause appears to be on the verge of total collapse, yet it endures and ultimately prevails thanks to the intervention of the three allied fleets –Britain, France, and Russia – which destroy Ibrahim’s fleet in the Bay of Pylos, at Navarino. Directed by Adamantios Petritsis and Alexandros Kakavas