Athens, Greece - Nov 4, 2019 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Greek national flag
2. Various of Presidential Guard performing in slow, ritualized movements
3. People watching Presidential Guard's performance
4. Presidential Guard performing in slow, ritualized movements
5. Old photo of Presidential Guard
6. Uniforms of Presidential Guard
7. Various of Captain Nikolaos Kalaitzis, Commander in Chief of Presidential Guard, introducing uniform, guard helping other get dressed
8. Various of guard in uniform
9. Vangelis Lazos, chief tailor of Presidential Guard, showing reporter uniform
10. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Vangelis Lazos, chief tailor, Presidential Guard:
"Red represents blood of our ancestors who fought for freedom. Black represents mourning for ancestors. Fringes represent every Greek. The knot means we will get together when necessary, in other words, we are free but can be united when necessary."
11. Various of guards practicing ceremonial movements
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Captain Nikolaos Kalaitzis, Commander in Chief, Presidential Guard:
"About two weeks ago, we started the training because we don't have only the Evzones that will be at the monument of the unknown soldier. Also, most of the company of Evzones will be standing outside the Presidential Mansion and also 24 Evzones will stand inside the Presidential Mansion to offer honors to His Excellency the president."
13. Various of Presidential Guard performing in slow, ritualized movements

The Greek Presidential Guard hope to show their best in welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping who is to visit the country from Sunday to Tuesday.

The Presidential Guard is a ceremonial infantry unit established in 1868 and its members are called "Evzones" meaning elite group of soldiers.

The Evzones often move in a slow and ritualized manner during a ceremony. They guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion in Athens, and their unique performance and costumes often attract much attention.

Uniforms and accessories of the Evzones derive from traditional Greek costumes. A red hat with a national emblem and long black fringes, a kilt with at least 400 pleats symbolizing 400 years of Ottoman occupation — all of these indicate history of Greece.

"Red represents blood of our ancestors who fought for freedom. Black represents mourning for ancestors. Fringes represent every Greek. The knot means we will get together when necessary, in other words, we are free but can be united when necessary," said Vangelis Lazos, chief tailor of the Presidential Guard.
It will usually take six months for a rookie to fully perform the ceremonial movements of the Presidential Guard, and further training is necessary if there is an important occasion.

Commander in Chief of the Presidential Guard Captain Nikolaos Kalaitzis said they are busy preparing for the visit of Chinese President Xi.

"About two weeks ago, we started the training because we don't have only the Evzones that will be at the monument of the unknown soldier. Also, most of the company of Evzones will be standing outside the Presidential Mansion and also 24 Evzones will stand inside the Presidential Mansion to offer honors to His Excellency the President," the captain said.