“We respectfully bow to the memory those who fought for freedom, expressing the wish that we will never again see in our country – the country which gave birth to democracy – sympathizers of ideologies that threw the world into a bloodbath… the supporters of Nazism, fascism and bigotry,” President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said on Monday, on the occasion of the 76th anniversary since the liberation of Athens from Nazi occupation troops on 12. October 1944.
“On this day, 76 years ago, Athens was liberated from the Nazi yoke. It was a day of national exaltation, of collective joy and returning hope. A day that justified the struggle and the sacrifices of the Greek people during the years of the German Occupation,” Sakellaropoulou stressed.
Earlier on Monday, the President attended the raising of the flag on the Holy Rock of the Acropolis and then laid a wreath at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, as part of the anniversary celebration.
The Athens Liberation Day coincides this year with the historic trial against the far-rights, the neo-nazis of Golden Dawn party.
PS Unfortunately, no matter how strong the wish, sympathizers have been existing and will keep existing in the country, even if the GD leadership lands in prison for a couple of years – unless the country will take seriously the issue of democratic education..
