President of the Hellenic republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou hosted a celebration marking 50 years since the restoration of democracy in Greece after the junta and the return of Konstantinos Karamanlis to Greece.
The proceedings were held at the pride-filled Presidential Mansion’s gardens, as they honoured the progress of the country post World War II.
The Greek president said the day’s importance stems from permitting Greece to enter “the smoothest and most progressive era of our modern history, a political, social, and cultural achievement of Greeks, with its landmark being the universal enjoyment of democracy and lifting of restrictions and discriminations.”
Sakellaropoulou made special mention of the resistance fighters who were tortured by the junta, including Spyros Moustaklis, Alekos Panagoulis, and Sakis Karagiorgas, and also referred to the day’s marking of the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also spoke on the significance of reflecting on the resilience of the people who endured the dictatorship.
These Greeks were guided by Konstantinos Karamanlis, who “took on the heavy responsibility of rebuilding the country and managing the tragedy of Cyprus,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis remarked.
“Nothing that we take for granted today existed half a century ago. Greece was suffocating under the junta… May the 50-year anniversary since the return of the democracy become a starting point for a better public life and a better Greece,” Mitsotakis said on the milestone.
Source: AMNA.
