In October 1944, exactly 80 years ago, Thessaloniki was liberated and these historical moments come to today through rare documents
October 1944. The Hagia Sophia square is flooded with people celebrating the liberation of Thessaloniki. A Pallaic rally takes place in a festive atmosphere, with faces full of joy and pride for shaking off the Nazi occupation.
At the same time, in the port of the city, the destruction caused by the Germans is visible. The ELAS army, its women’s section and guerrillas are parading on the beach avenue.
Exactly 80 years ago and these historical moments come to today through rare documents, which are included in a special photo album edited by the Sectoral Organization of the Municipality of Thessaloniki of the KKE, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Thessaloniki from ELAS.
“The album is divided into three parts. A small first part includes photographic documents from the entry of the occupying forces into the city”, states the member of T.O. to the Athenian/Macedonian News Agency. of the Municipality of Thessaloniki of the KKE Margarita Arvanitaki, coordinator of the group that worked for about six months, looking for archival material.
It shows inside the album photos of the occupying forces with the White Tower in the background, as well as the Nazi flag raised above the promenade at the Mediterranean Hotel. In another picture, a unit of the German navy poses in front of the church of Saint Demetrius. Many more photographic illustrations and snapshots of the occupation period are hosted in the publication.
“Then there is the period up to ’43, which includes the action of the EAM in the city and the large mobilizations that had taken place for hunger, for conscription, for sit-ins”, explains Ms. Arvanitaki and emphasizes in mobilizations for conscription.
“Below is the chapter that refers to the liberation, which includes most of the presentation, starting with the entry of ELAS fighters into the city”, says Ms. Arvanitaki and underlines that among the pages there are also some excerpts from newspapers of the time , which give the impression that the liberation event left on the press.
Accordingly, in its last pages it hosts a vivid and illustrative narrative by Giorgos Ioannou about the day of liberation. “Essentially, it puts us in the mood by describing the funnels that pushed the people towards Hagia Sophia to celebrate the conscription and conveys to us the whole atmosphere and the whole feeling of the world of Thessaloniki at that time and on that day”, concludes Ms. Arvanitaki .
The album is only a part of the events of T.O. of the Municipality of Thessaloniki of the KKE for the liberation of the city, which have been taking place since the beginning of the month. Tomorrow at 10:30 a historical walk in the Upper Town will follow, starting from Kallithea Square. At 11:00 an event is planned in honor of the murdered Tassos Maglaridis, a member of the KKE, from the municipal theater of Neapolis to the place of his murder. At the same time, in the Park of Aris, in Harilaou, there will be an event of honor and memory to Alekos Siotis, EPONite, fighter of ELAS, member of the KKE and athlete of Aris Thessaloniki, with speaker Akis Adams, member of the OP of Central Macedonia of the KKE . Finally, at 5 pm, there will be a historical walk in the area of ​​Analipsi, starting from the junction of Vasilissa Olga and 25th of March.
Source: Skai
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