Migrants hold placards and shout slogans against racism and closed borders as well as against the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn in Athens on March 16, 2019. Photo: IC

A Monty Python-inspired "silly walk" during Greece's solemn remembrance of anti-fascist resistance in World War II has sparked anger, with the teens responsible saying it was a stand against militarism.

The 10 girls said they were pretending to be insubordinate soldiers at a Monday parade in Athens, in a stunt inspired by the cult British comedy troupe.

In a statement published Wednesday in daily newspaper Efsyn, they said it was inspired by "the great field-marshal of English comedy John Cleese and by all that is taught by Monty Python."

"The Ministry of Silly Walks" is a 1970 classic skit by Monty Python, including Cleese, skewering stiff-necked bureaucracy and self-important inefficiency.

A local mayor said events commemorating Greece's wartime resistance to Axis powers are a solemn affair, and public statements on the issue are closely scrutinized every year for errors.