President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou described today as historic, marking fifty years since the return of Konstantinos Karamanlis to Greece and the restoration of democracy. She emphasized that “We owe the Greeks and future generations a continuity that is worthy and even better than these fifty years. Drawing strength from their democratic and liberal example, and giving it new breath, meaning, and momentum.” She also stressed that Greeks should be proud of their achievements, as post-revolution Greece left behind post-war deprivation and “is now a different Greece.”

At the reception at the Presidential Mansion, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, political leaders, ministers, and MPs were present. Due to the special nature of this year’s event, President Sakellaropoulou invited mayors from border and martyrdom areas, representatives of civil society, distinguished athletes and team captains who have won European trophies, flood victims from Thessaly, people from the fields of letters and arts, Greeks who have excelled abroad in scientific research, and ordinary citizens who have stood out for their contributions to their fellow man and moved the entire nation with their actions.

During her speech at the reception in the garden of the Presidential Mansion for the 50th anniversary of the restoration of democracy, Ms. Sakellaropoulou expressed the gratitude of all Greeks to those who fought selflessly against the dictatorship, who were inhumanly tortured, such as Spyros Moustaklis, Alekos Panagoulis, and Sakis Karagiorgas. She noted “We honor all those, present and absent, who risked their youth, freedom, and lives for the good of us all.”

Today’s celebration at the Presidential Mansion is special due to the completion of half a century since the restoration of Democracy. For this reason, in addition to the customary official guests, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou has invited mayors from remote and martyred areas, representatives of Civil Society, distinguished athletes and team leaders who have won European trophies, flood victims from Thessaly, figures from the arts and letters, Greeks who have excelled abroad in scientific research, and ordinary citizens who have distinguished themselves for their contribution to their fellow humans, moving all of Greece with their actions.

See photos from the Presidential Mansion