A celebration that could serve as a catalyst

The bicentennial of the start of the Greek War of Independence, which Greece will mark in 2021, is indeed important and we ought to celebrate it. It could also serve as a catalyst to bring Greeks of the diaspora closer to the homeland and an opportunity to rebuild the Greek brand, which has suffered tremendously as a result of the financial crisis. However, we must steer clear of tasteless displays of jingoism.
The 200th anniversary is also a very good opportunity to better learn who we are as a people. The history of the revolution includes countless events which are completely unknown to the vast majority of contemporary Greeks. Next to the infinite examples of the greatness shown by Greek revolutionaries such as Georgios Karaiskakis, Papaflessas and many others, there was civil strife, tribalism, nepotism and the repeated failures of the leading figures of the time to build...