DIASPORA

Biden celebrates Greek Independence Day at the White House

US President Joe Biden (L) greets Archbishop Elpidophoros Lambriniadis of America at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on 29 March 2023. [Yuri Gripas/EPA/Pool]

Newsroom

March 30, 2023 30.03.2023 • 09:58

President Joe Biden – surrounded by Greek-American politicians and community leaders – marked Greek Independence Day at the White House on Wednesday.

One of the featured guests included the actress Rita Wilson, who is of Greek descent and performed four songs at the reception in the East Room.

“The world owes a great deal of debt to Greece, including the revolutionary idea of a democracy,” Biden told the audience. “It was revolutionary at the time, which continues to deliver for the people to this day.

After Wilson’s performance, Biden returned to the stage to praise her while joking that “the only thing I worry about is your taste in men.”

Her husband, the acclaimed actor Tom Hanks, responded as he joined Biden and Wilson on stage: “No, I am not Greek, but I had the good sense to marry one.” [AP]

biden-celebrates-greek-independence-day-at-the-white-house0 — US President Joe Biden greets performer Rita Wilson at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on 29 March 2023. Greece celebrates its Independence Day on 25 March. [Yuri Gripas/EPA/Pool]

biden-celebrates-greek-independence-day-at-the-white-house2 — Rita Wilson performs at a reception hosted by US President Joe Biden celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on 29 March 2023. [Yuri Gripas/EPA]

biden-celebrates-greek-independence-day-at-the-white-house4 — Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson react as US President Joe Biden hosts a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on 29 March 2023. [Yuri Gripas/EPA]

A tweet by journalist Lina Argyri shows Rita Wilson singing in Greek at the event:

Rita Wilson performing at the ⁦@WhiteHouse⁩ for Greek Independence Day pic.twitter.com/wEK923Xtu7

— Lena Argiri (@lenaargiri) March 29, 2023

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