Raising of the flag at the White Tower for the double celebration of Thessaloniki – Photo – Video

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Without the presence of the President of the Republic, but with all the solemnity, the flag-raising ceremony took place at the White Tower, for the anniversary of the liberation of Thessaloniki on the day of the feast of Saint Demetrius, the Patron Saint.

The flag was raised by the mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, and the commander of the 3rd Army Corps, Lt. Gen. Sotirios Kostakoglou, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Macedonian Thrace sector, Stavros Kalafatis, while immediately after the frigate “Spetsai” fired a salute from the port city’s.

The national anthem was played by the navy band, while again this year honors were paid by the SSAS and the members of the Panhellenic Association of Descendants of Macedonian Fighters “O Pavlos Melas” were also present.

In addition to the commander of the 3rd Army Corps, the following were present:

  • AGEETHA: Lieutenant General Konstantinos Floros
  • AGES: Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis
  • AGEN: Vice-Admiral Stylianos Petrakis PN
  • AGEA: Lieutenant Commander (I) Themistocles Bourolias
  • COMMANDER: Lieutenant General Angelos Houdeloudis
  • and the Inspector General of the Police of Northern Greece, Lieutenant General Georgios Douvalis

It should be noted that the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, did not attend this year’s inauguration ceremony, despite the fact that her presence was foreseen in the official program, while there has been no official information regarding the reasons for her absence so far.

In his statements immediately after the ceremony, the Deputy Minister of the Interior of Macedonia Thrace Stavros Kalafatis noted that the raising of the flag “takes us back 110 years, when the advance of the Greek Army forced the Ottoman Pasha to hand over Thessaloniki to those it really belongs to”.

“Above all, faith in the powers and possibilities of Hellenism inspires us, that united we can prevent and, if necessary, repel any attempt at the expense of our sovereignty and sovereign rights,” he said characteristically.

The mayor of the city Konstantinos Zervas sent his own message for the double celebration of Thessaloniki.

He described his participation in the flag-raising ceremony as the highest honor for him, pointing out at the same time that 110 years after the liberation of the city, we honor all those who fought to make Thessaloniki, Macedonia, free, but also to be here today the level of glory and pride.

“We remember and honor those who fought for Thessaloniki and our Macedonia to be free and we promise them, we are committed to honoring their legacy and to make sure that our city, our Macedonia, will always be a leading city, a symbol in story” he reported.

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