Vegan activists gathered in central Athens ahead of Easter, calling on the public to reconsider traditional celebrations that involve animal slaughter.
The protest took place in Syntagma Square, where demonstrators carried messages such as “slaughter is not love” and urged citizens to celebrate the holiday “without victims.”
“Millions of animals killed for tradition”
According to the activists, more than 2 million lambs and goats are slaughtered in Greece each year for Easter, many of them just four to eight weeks old.
The protest was organized by Vegan Life, which has held similar awareness campaigns annually since 2022.
“We come here every year before Easter to remind people that they can celebrate in a beautiful and peaceful way without roasting lamb or goat,” said co-founder Elli Stourna. “Animals feel pain, they want to live, and people won’t lose anything by choosing a different way to celebrate.”
Changing attitudes, especially among younger people
Activists say public attitudes are gradually shifting, particularly among younger generations, with more people questioning the necessity of traditional practices involving animals.
Even those who are not vegetarian or vegan, they claim, often express discomfort with the custom, describing it as harsh and unnecessary.
Raising awareness about animal behavior
As part of the demonstration, participants distributed informational material highlighting animal intelligence and emotional capacity.
They noted that goats can solve problems and remember solutions for months, while sheep form strong bonds, recognize each other’s voices shortly after birth, and show signs of stress when separated.
According to the group, both species experience a range of emotions—including fear, joy and grief—similar to humans, and can form friendships within their groups.
Alongside the protest, the organization invited the public to attend an alternative Easter gathering featuring plant-based dishes, promoting a different way to mark the holiday without animal products.
