The Modern Evzones
Guardians of Tradition
Exhibition
Athens War Museum
March 2025
In March 2025, on the occasion of the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence, award-winning photographer Christiana Vasilas unveiled her inaugural exhibition, The Modern Evzones – Guardians of Tradition, at the Athens War Museum.
Through her photography, Christiana captures the story of the Evzones in the modern era—soldiers cloaked in symbolism, with every movement reflecting centuries of Hellenic tradition. Her imagery frames them against some of the most powerful settings in Greece and abroad: the Acropolis, the Athenian skyline, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Mansion, the Olympic Stadium, the Good Friday Epitaphio procession in Athens, and in New York, along the Canyon of Heroes (Broadway), Fifth Avenue, and the St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center.
Get a rare glimpse behind the stoic façade of Greece’s Presidential Guard. This striking photo exhibition captures the Evzones like you’ve never seen them before.
The Exhibit
With The Modern Evzones – Guardians of Tradition, Christiana seeks to honor the legacy of the Presidential Guard while inspiring pride in Hellenes and Philhellenes worldwide. Her work bridges past and present, paying tribute to the Evzones’ role as both national heroes and enduring symbols of Hellenic tradition. The key element to her exhibit is the addition of the personal experiences that accompany the vignettes from the Evzones themselves. The story of the Evzones is told through Christiana's eyes and narrated by the humble, modern guardians of tradition themselves, the Evzones.
“Wherever you are and whatever happens around you, when you are wearing the Evzone’s uniform and you are in service, everything around you stops because you are carrying with you all of the history
and you have to give honor.”
ΝΙΚΌΛΑΟΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΊΔΗΣ / NIKOLAOS APOSTOLIDIS
EVZONE 2021-22
“Raising the Greek flag over the sacred hill of Acropolis is indescribable. I felt chills running down my spine
as I held the flag. As I raised it, I was overcome with a sense of honor wearing the same uniform as the people who died for our freedom.”
ΧΑΡΑΛΑΜΠΟΣ ΚΟΝΤΟΜΗΤΡΟΣ / CHARALAMPOS KONTOMITROS,
Evzone 2023-24
This exhibit would not have been possible without the dedicated patronage of the following
SPONSORS
THE DOULAVERIS / BREIDBART FAMILY
The KOURTESIS FAMILY
THE LYGNOS FAMILY
THE METIS FAMILY
THE NAFPAKTIAN BROTHERHOOD
THE NICOLOPOULOS / TSIBOUKIS FAMILY
THE SPADOLA FAMILY
KATHERINE VASILAS
MARIANTHI VLAHOS
KYRIAKOS XRISTOS XEROVASILAS
OPENING NIGHT - 20 March 2025
The opening drew an intimate guest list of comprise of representatives of the Greek government, the Hellenic Armed Forces, current and former Evzones with their families, the Board of the Syllogo of Evzones, members of the maritime community, representatives of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Athens, Greek-Americans, and Philhellenes from around the world.
Guests were honored to receive a blessing from Pater Stylianos, Protopresbyter of Holy Church of the All-Great Taxiarchs of the Amalieion Orphanage, chaplain of the Evzones. Following the blessing, Christiana was deeply honored to have the President of the Society of Evzones, and the President of the War Museum offer remarks.
Exquisite catering was provided by one of Athen's preeminent caterers - Dipnosofistirion.
Christiana's Remarks
