"flip flops party": what really happened in the presidential palace

Musician Ioannis Stratakis, the man who shocked everyone by appearing at the reception of the President of the Hellenic Republic in summer outfit – Bermuda shorts and flip flops – decided to give an answer.

Disputes, angry statements and discussions of the topic “hot the Internet”, causing a public “tsunami” in social networks.

The public was perplexed, wondering who this gentleman was, who came to the reception of the President of the Hellenic Republic … in a beach outfit – shorts and slippers!

The next day, the “troublemaker” Ioannis Stratakis showed up himself and decided to answer everyone. In his post, he seems to be mocking those who reacted with indignation at his scruffy appearance (although they did not know who he really was and what his profession was). The man refers to the “stumbling block”, that is, the flip-flops that he was wearing. “Now, I will have to organize a “slipper party”! I see what a lively interest it can attract to itself. Tremble, opponents!”, ironically Ioannis Stratakis.

Essence of the question

Ioannis Stratakis became the “face of the day” when a photo was published of him in beachwear descending into the garden of the presidential palace during a reception in honor of the restoration of democracy. No one knew who this man was, who wandered around the presidential palace in flip-flops and Bermuda shorts, and comments on social networks rained down from those who considered his outfit completely inappropriate for such an occasion.

Seeing the flurry of indignation that hit him on social networks, Ioannis Stratakis in his Facebook post said that he “is the lead violinist of the ERT Symphony Orchestra and explained that he was invited to the presidential palace as not an honored guest, but as a staff musician.”

In a lengthy post, Mr. Stratakis described that he had actually been to the beach before and had driven 1.5 hours to get to the event at the presidential palace. He then put on his suit, which he had never worn before, so that he wouldn’t wrinkle while driving. He also draws a parallel with … Pericles and Cleisthenes, to emphasize that it is not the costume that makes the person beautiful.

His post: “Having worked for almost 50 years as a servant of the arts, I became famous … for my slippers! No one knows what side fate will sometimes turn on you (glory will overtake).” Small print:

1) I was not invited to the holiday, I served the guests – entertained them by playing instruments.

2) I actually drove from the beach straight to my (contract) job after being on the road for 1.5 hours, returning to Athens to be on time.

3) I would not put on my work suit (tuxedo) while driving a car, because it is made of wool, a thick winter fabric, and at almost 60 years old I can not stand the heat and humidity very much. After all, if I had put it on earlier, it might have been soaked through with sweat.

4) When we arrived, no one thought that we might be thirsty. Only an hour later they brought water. The staff was located on the southeast side of the garden, 1+ km from the changing rooms of the “workers”. That “hike to the watering hole” was recorded by the lens. At a time when (with rare exceptions) they had not yet begun to receive visitors. I would have gone out to buy water outside the presidential palace, but for security reasons, our ID cards were left at the guards at the entrance, so I could neither leave nor enter again.

5) This morning I realized that I look like a journalist-editor of a famous newspaper who has found “adventures” on his head.

6) Sorry for causing such a stir on social media, partly justified. Let me clarify if anyone didn’t know: The photo was taken long before the event.

7) I’m also sorry that I was the reason for so much verbal poison poured out on the internet.

Don’t worry, I’m not homeless, I have too many suits. But I wear them when I need to. BUT! And one more thing. Democracy is not done by clothes. Ask Cleisthenes and Pericles which brand of costumes they prefer. I did not come to the president’s reception to make any political statements or proposals. I am a small and happy person. He did his job and left.”

Ioannis Stratakis took his place in the orchestra and played at the Restoration of the Republic Reception at the Presidential Palace.

A reception on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the Restoration of the Republic was held on Sunday 24 July in the garden of the Presidential Palace. On him all the political leadership of the country was presentand the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou provided an opportunity for representatives of civil society and vulnerable social groups to attend, emphasizing that “citizens of the country, people and collectives deprived of the right to vote and representation, trapped in discrimination and stereotypes, should take part in the process of building a democratic society.”

Attention was drawn to a guest who came to the reception in flip-flops, Bermuda shorts and a loose shirt, which clearly did not correspond to either the anniversary of the restoration of democracy, or the place where the official solemn event took place, the newspaper writes. iefimerida.gr.

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