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Greece: Pastiche of the national flag

Tzimis Panousis' flag

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Greece

Tzimis Panousis' flag

Tzimis Panousis' pastiche - Image by Thanos Tzikas, 5 July 2003

In October 2000, the Greek stand-up comedian/rock singer Tzimis Panousis, made some posters using the Greek national flag with the cross replaced by a hammer and sickle (spot), to advertise his show named "My Country's Flag" (Της Πατρίδας μου η Σημαία), which is the title of an old patriotic song for children. The poster was soon banned and the singer replaced it with a new one bearing the flag of the United States.

Thanos Tzikas, 5 July 2003

In the case of Greece, by changing the cross to a "hammer and sickle" the advertisers circumvented the letter of Law (No. 851 of 21 December 1978, Article 6(11)(d)), which would avoid any legal penalty (under Article 6), but they were still in breach of the spirit of the Article which was, obviously, sufficient grounds for the Government to ban its display.

Christopher Southworth, 6 July 2003