Tassoulas: The day of the liberation of Thessaloniki is a day that vindicates the unity

“The day of the liberation of Thessaloniki during the Balkan Wars is a day that vindicates the unity and concord of the Greek people, the army, and its leadership,” emphasised the President of the Republic, Constantine Tassoulas, in his statement following the official service at the Church of Saint Demetrios in Thessaloniki on Sunday.

The full statement by Mr. Tasoulas is as follows: “On this day, here in Thessaloniki, we commemorate two great and renowned celebrations—one of faith and one of freedom.We celebrate Saint Demetrios the Great Martyr, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, and at the same time, we celebrate the feast of freedom—the liberation of the city, which took place on this very day in 1912, when the Protocol of Surrender of the city was signed between the Turkish military governor, Taksim Pasha, and the Greek officers representing the Greek General Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel Dousmanis and Captain Metaxas.

This day of Thessaloniki’s liberation during the Balkan Wars is a day of vindication for the unity and harmony of the Greek people, the army, and their leadership.We draw inspiration, we honour, we remember, and we take example from this victory and let it be known that this inspiration, this example, this remembrance, does not concern only the past—it concerns the present and the future as well.

Because when a nation has such memories, such examples as those of the liberation of Thessaloniki and the integration of Macedonia into Greece, it can look to the future with optimism, confidence, and self-assurance.