A few days ago, Greece celebrated the anniversary of the restoration of democracy on July 24, 1974, with the traditional ceremony that takes place every year at the presidential palace.
Some expressed their opposition regarding the way the celebration is held and took issue with the participation of specific individuals in it. Some politicians went so far as to boycott the event. Their criticism and actions are inexplicable, if not insulting.
Even if someone disagrees with individual aspects of the celebration, the symbolism of the event itself reigns supreme and any effort to question it is not serving some higher purpose, but is rather an act of disrespect for the return of democracy which, theoretically, we all cherish.
Whoever the president is, whatever the government or the main opposition are at a certain point in time, the restoration of democracy following the seven-year dictatorship is such a pivotal moment in the modern history of Greece that no one has the right to insult it by citing objections, which in most cases are baseless and politically motivated.
In any case, the more dedicated the country is to democratic ideals, the more we all have to gain, including those who might strongly disagree with a certain government being in power or a person being invited to an official event.
