EUROPE: The Puzzle of Diversity
FOLKLORE: GREEK “EVZONAS” OR “TSOLIAS”
The history of the euzonian battalions begins in 1867 with a strength of four companies.
Their central mission was guarding the border. In 1868 a fifth company was added to each battalion.
The original composition of these battalions consisted of volunteers,
non-commissioned officers or soldiers, who usually came from mountainous regions.
The glorious action of the Euzonian battalions during the Balkan Wars was a catalyst, with the result that the Euzonians received the image of heroes in the consciousness of the Greek people. The euzonian battalions were also active during the rest of the armed conflicts of the 20th century in which the Greek army was involved (Asia Minor Campaign, First and Second World War).
An Evzone is also known, colloquially, as a Tsolias .Evzones are known for their distinctive uniform, which evolved from the clothes worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman occupation of Greece. Their distinctive dress turned them into a popular image for the Greek soldier, especially among foreigners. �
The Euzones are world famous for the clothing they wear, which is associated to numerous symbolisms. Their uniform was officially established by King Otto of Greece, which he also wore to official appearances.
The most visible item of this uniform is the fustanella, a kilt-like garment, knee-length, of white cloth, closed by a belt of cotton in blue and white stripes. White symbolizes the purity of the Greek fight. The number of pleats of the fustanela is rumored to be equal to the duration of Ottoman occupation i.e. 400.
Other preminent parts that make up the Euzonian uniform are:
The pharaoh (or phareo). It is the euzone's hat. The fario is red in color and made of felt. In the place of the forehead it bears the Greek coat of Arms. A characteristic part of the fario is the long black tessel, made of silk. Its shape is considered to symbolize the tears of Christ at the Crucifixion
The shirt. It is white in color and has characteristic large sleeve openings.
The permanent. It's the vest. It is the most difficult, in terms of its construction, part of the Euzone uniform. It has white and gold-plated threads, with which designs of folkloric importance are depicted. One of them is the initial letters "X" and "O", which are considered to correspond to the words Christian and Orthodox.
The tsaruchia. They are the shoes of tsolias. They are red in color and made of leather. About 60 nails are nailed into the sole of each tsaruhi, which are responsible for the imposing sound that is heard when a tsolias steps. On average, each tsaruchi weighs three kilograms. A characteristic part of the tsaruchis are the black tassels where their noses end. It is thought that their original use was to hide in them small sharp objects that could surprise the enemy in a hand to hand combat. Another view is that the tassels protected the toes from snow and frost.
Until the 1890s this uniform was also worn in Greece, when it was replaced for fashion reasons by "the Franks", that is, what we call trousers today. The foustanella is essentially the evolution of the male Doric tunic.
Today, the Evzones are the members of the Presidential Guard, a ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion in Athens. The
The Changing of the Guards in Athens Greece: The change of the guards takes place every hour by the military unit whose members stand proudly in perfect stillness in front of the Parliament. But every Sunday morning at 11 am, you can watch the official ceremony of changing of the guards with the official dresses.
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Many Greeks also dress their children in the uniform of Evzones to take part in the school festivities and parades organized on the 25th March.
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