Athens Commemorates 81 Years Since Nazi Occupation Ended

The “Lykeion ton Ellinidon” holds the Greek emblem connected the Acropolis. Credit: AMNA/Orestis Panagiotou

The 81st day of Athens’ liberation from Nazi concern was marked connected Sunday with a ceremonial connected the Acropolis, a almighty echo of the city’s defiant spirit. The lawsuit was held successful the beingness of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas.

The commemoration featured six members of the “Lykeion ton Ellinidon” creation group, who approached the flagpole dressed successful nationalist costumes and carrying the Liberation Flag. They were accompanied by students from the Ionian School.

Hoisting the Greek emblem connected the Acropolis. Credit: AMNA/Orestis Panagiotou

The emblem was formally presented to the Presidential Guard and past hoisted. The ceremonial concluded arsenic the Air Force set performed the National Anthem.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas delivered a moving address, stating, “Today, we grant those who fought for democracy.” He emphasized that 81 years ago, the swastika was torn down from the Acropolis and replaced by the Greek flag—a profound “symbol of anticipation and resistance.” He stressed that the Resistance’s connection endures: to support ideology and alteration patriotism into societal responsibility.

Evzones commemorate the extremity of the German concern of Athens connected the Acropolis. Credit: AMNA/Orestis Panagiotou

The Historic infinitesimal of the extremity of Athens’s Nazi occupation

The solemnisation looked backmost to the greeting of October 12th, 1944.

The German withdrawal had begun gradually connected the evening of October 11th. At 8:00 a.m. the adjacent day, the fewer remaining German forces gathered astatine the Monument of the Unknown Soldier for a hasty, makeshift ceremony. The main of the occupying forces, General Hellmuth Felmy, accompanied by the politician of Athens, Angelos Georgatos, laid a wreath.

The final, decisive enactment took spot soon after. At 9:15 a.m., a German worker completed the ignominious extremity to the 1,265-day occupation: helium took down the hated Nazi emblem from the Acropolis without ceremony, tucked the swastika nether his arm, and departed with his caput bowed. This azygous enactment ignited a wild, spontaneous solemnisation successful the streets of Athens.

Related: Germany’s Occupation of Greece: A Massacre and Some “Beautiful Souvenirs”