Parliament Guards
Evzone soldiers
The Greek Parliament Guards are also known as Evzone Soldiers. They’re the soldiers that stand outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Parliament building in Syntagma Square.
They’re very popular and many tourists head there to have their photos taken.
Their training is very strict and there are always two on duty at any one time.
Guards on duty perform their movements in a very slow and highly stylized manner. They switch positions with each other every fifteen minutes and remain completely motionless and at attention in the meantime. Since the Guards are required to be totally still at all times, there is one Evzone in normal fatigues uniform and police surveillance to ensure that no one approaches or harasses the Guards while on duty.
If the Evzone gets into any difficulty, there is a soldier around to assist. He can come and wipe sweat from their brow, give them water, place a coat over them if they’re chilly in winter and occasionally he’ll can come near to the Evzone and ask questions about what might be wrong…the Evzone may blink once for ‘yes,’ twice for ‘no’ and three times for ‘I don’t know.’