by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Athens Mayor Yorgos Kaminis kicked off the festivities for the holiday season in the Greek capital on Friday by turning on the lights of the traditional Christmas boat set up on Syntagma Square in front of the Greek parliament.
With unity and solidarity, recession-hit Greeks and refugees stranded in the country can brave all storms, he said, addressing the crowd during the ceremony.
The Christmas boat, a traditional seasonal decoration in the maritime nation, is the symbolic centerpiece of the festive program which is rich despite the financial crisis.
Over the next three weeks, Athenians and foreigners will be enjoying open air music concerts and dance shows, performances by street theater artists and games for the children.
The aim is to spread the festive atmosphere across Athens and include everybody in the celebrations.
"We are all celebrating together, Athenians, visitors, people who found themselves stranded here on their journey for a better future. We are celebrating together, as we are all living together and struggling together... We will be by the side of all people in need," Kaminis stressed in his address.
The ceremony closed with a performance by the municipality's Big Band.
