Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis Attends Commemorative Event Marking 120 Years Since the Outbreak of the Macedonian Struggle

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Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis Attends Commemorative Event Marking 120 Years Since the Outbreak of the Macedonian Struggle

October 4, 2024

On Friday, 4 October 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannisattended the commemorative event 120 years Since the Outbreak of the Macedonian Struggle 1904-2024, which took place at Pavlos Melas's house in Kifisia.

Mr. Kefalogiannis was given a tour of Pavlos Melas's house and attended the exhibition of anecdotal photographic footage from the archives of the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation.

In his address, he stressed that such events make us feel proud and fill our souls with the holy duty to protect the Country, as well as the duty to honour our national heroes and commemorate their actions.

He thanked the granddaughter of the hero Pavlos Melas, Ms. Natalia Ioannidi, for her generosity and patriotism to donate his house to the Ministry of National Defence, the Honorary Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, who, as Deputy Minister of National Defence, contributed to the completion of the donation, as well as the Non-Profit Civil Partnership of Drama "Cyclops" for its donation to cover the cost for the restoration works of the building, which was delivered to the Nation as a monument of modern history.

The event was also attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Mayor of Kifisia, Mr. Vasilis Ksypolitas, representatives of the local government and the Church, a delegation of the Hellenic Military Academy (Evelpidon), active duty and retired Armed Forces personnel, members of Pavlos Melas's family, and other guests.

Speeches on the hero Pavlos Melas were delivered by the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Director of the Information & Public Affairs Directorate of HAGS, Brigadier General Vasilios Mountokalakis, and the Honorary Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff Charalampos Lalousis, as well as the hero's granddaughter Ms. Natalia Ioannidi.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated, among others:

"It is with great emotion that I attend this highly symbolic event marking 120 years since the outbreak of the Macedonian Struggle. A struggle that was embraced by all Greeks and set the foundation for the liberation of Macedonia and its incorporation into national territory. One of the protagonists of this struggle was one of the most heroic figures in our history.

Pavlos Melas or Mikis Zezas, which was the name under which he fought. A noble ideologist with a vision for a free, Greek Macedonia, who fought, as his wife Natalia Mela wrote, to save "the way of thinking and feeling called Hellenism". A wonderful Greek, worthy descendant of the heroes of the Nation who, despite the prospects of an enviable career, did not hesitate to answer the call of duty. His heroic sacrifice not only marked the actual outbreak of the Macedonian Struggle, which culminated in the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, but also made him a symbol of the struggle for Good everywhere.

Such events contribute to the preservation of historic memory, make us feel proud, and fill our souls with the holy duty to protect the Country, as well as the duty to honour our national heroes and commemorate their actions. But what is even more emotional, and at the same time an honour, is being here at the hero's house today. The house from where he set off 120 years ago to embody his national vision. The liberation of Macedonia. A house whose every corner revives our modern history. At the now restored house of Pavlos Melas, which was restored and delivered to the Nation as a monument of modern history.

At this point, we should thank Ms. Natalia Ioannidi, the hero's granddaughter, for her generosity and patriotism to donate his house to the Ministry of National Defence, as well as the Honorary Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, who, as Deputy Minister of National Defence, contributed to the completion of the donation. We must also thank the Non-Profit Civil Partnership of Drama "Cyclops" for its donation to cover the cost for the building restoration works.

In conclusion, I would like to remind that, in Greek history, there have been protagonists who left a unique mark with their actions. Particularly those who heroically sacrificed themselves for our country, since they set an eternal bright example for future generations.

"The pride of Greek bravery and self sacrifice, such was this unforgettable heroic soul, Pavlos Melas, our National hero", who taught us authentically the meaning of duty and unconditional contribution to the country. He proved to us with his life and death that the most sacred of things is to fight for one's ideals. Through his great actions, transcending the limits of mortality, he managed to serve his ideals with selflessness, patriotism, and modesty as only heroes do.

Each generation, with the challenges of its era, must give its all to the country and fight consciously its own struggle. Let the noble ideas and selfless heroism of Pavlos Melas become a source of inspiration for us all".