Greektown Chicago is excited to announce its free virtual celebration of the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence Day on Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. CST, including a special recorded performance from popular Greek singer Glykeria of the song “Να 'τανε το '21” (Let it be ‘21), which commemorates the start of the Greeks’ fight for independence in March 1821.
Greektown’s virtual event also includes a dynamic history of Chicago’s Greek American community, with stories from prominent Chicagoans and archival photos highlighting the city’s Greek Independence Day celebrations and parades over the past 126 years. Additionally, families from across Chicagoland are encouraged to join the virtual celebration by submitting photos and videos of their Greek Independence Day memories, which may be used in a montage during the virtual event.
Greektown Chicago’s virtual Greek Independence Day celebration will be streamed on the Greektown Facebook page on Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. CST. For more information, visit GreektownChicago.org. To submit Greek Independence Day memories for the virtual event, visit our event partner The Pappas Post HERE.
In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Greek independence, Greektown Chicago also presents a monthlong Greektown Shopper’s Reward program now through Wednesday, March 31, 2021, offering a $50 gift card rebate for customers who spend $200 or more at the neighborhood’s restaurants and submit qualifying receipts via email. Offer available while supplies last.
Full Greektown Shopper’s Reward details and a list of eligible Greektown restaurants are available at www.greektownchicago.org/2021-greektown-shoppers-reward-program.
About Glykeria
Glykeria (Γλυκερία), born Glykeria Kotsoula in 1953, is a popular Greek singer. Glykeria began her career in 1974 working in the Athens Plaka music clubs and gave performances with well-known artists, singing songs by M. Hadjidakis, M. Theodorakis, M. Loizos and others. Collaborations in concerts and discography with: A. Kaldaras, S. Fotiadis, Natacha Atlas, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Loukianos Kilaidonis|L. Kilaidonis, Mary Linda, P. Thalassinos Sotiria Bellou, George Dalaras, Marinella, Ofra Haza, Ricky Gal, Chava Alberstein, Amal Murkus, Paschalis Terzis, Ilias Aslanoglou, Antonis Vardis, Sarit Hadad, Fortuna and more.
In 1982 she was selected to represent Greece in the Europalia ‘82 festival in Brussels, together with Sotiria Bellou, George Dalaras and Margarita Zorbala. In 1986 she sang “Earini Symfonia” (poem by Yiannis Ritsos, music by Yiannis Markopoulos) for the song’s premier performance, at the opening ceremony of the World Championships held for the first time at the Athens Olympic Stadium, broadcast to 120 countries across the world. She has sung in concerts in Greece and abroad (Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey). Due to her successful concerts in Israel, she was proclaimed its most popular foreign singer; the Mayor of Jerusalem awarded her the golden key of the city in 1994.
About Greektown Chicago
Greektown is a dining, nightlife and cultural district located on the Near West Side of Chicago. A popular destination for tourists and Chicago residents alike, Greektown offers the best sampling of Greek heritage outside of Athens—from authentic restaurants, cafes and shops to the National Hellenic Museum and annual Taste of Greektown festival. Greektown Special Service Area #16 is the business improvement district for the neighborhood, administered by sole service provider the West Central Association and guided by a volunteer commission of local business owners, property owners and residents. For more information, visit greektownchicago.org.