Changing of Guards, Athens (2017)

The changing of guards in Athens in front of the Unknown Soldier monument, at Syntagma Square, before the Hellenic Parliament. The Evzones, or Evzoni (Greek: Εύζωνες, Εύζωνοι), is the name of several historical elite light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Today, it refers to the members of the Presidential Guard an elite ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Though the Presidential Guard is a primarily ceremonial unit, all Evzones are volunteers drawn from the Hellenic Army’s Infantry Corps. Prospective Evzones are initially identified at the Infantry Recruit Training Centres during Basic Training; there is a minimum height requirement of m (6’ 5“) to join. The unit is known for its uniform, which has evolved from the clothes worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman occupation of Greece. The most visible item of this uniform is the fustanella, a kilt-like garment. Their distinctive dress turned them into a popular image for the Greek soldier, especially among foreigners. (Wikipedia)