İskeçe marks 107th anniversary of its liberation with three-day commemorations
The main anniversary events will take place on Sunday, October 4, featuring a military and student parade attended by Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, who will represent the Greek government.
The three-day program combines religious ceremonies, memorial events, concerts and military activities.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
The commemorations will begin with anniversary speeches at schools across all educational levels at 10:00.
At 11:00, a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the city's Monument to the Fallen. The event will involve schools, scouting organizations, associations, public institutions and other local organizations, with musical honors provided by the İskeçe municipal band.
At 11:45, the municipality will organize “In the Footsteps of the Liberation,” a symbolic procession starting from Courts Square and following part of the route associated with the army's entry into the city in 1919.
The procession will make three stops, where three “liberation flags” will be presented to representatives of the local metropolitan authority, the Supreme Military Command of Thrace (ASDITH), and the mayor. The third flag will be raised on the clock tower in Republic Square as a reenactment of the event commemorated by the municipality.
The day's program will conclude with a concert by the İskeçe Municipal Choir at Republic Square at 20:00.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
At 18:30, the icon of Panagia Archangeliotissa will be received at Republic Square, followed by a vespers service at the Church of Hagia Sophia at 19:00.
A concert by the Saint Matthew Philharmonic Society of Corfu, “Lorenzo Mavilis 1965,” will take place at 20:30 at Republic Square, with the participation of the İskeçe Municipal Band. The event will be moved to the Municipal Amphitheater in case of bad weather.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
The main anniversary day will begin at 08:00 with the raising of the Greek flag at the Clock Tower monument in Republic Square.
Between 09:00 and 10:00, the İskeçe Municipal Band will perform marches and patriotic music along central streets.
The Greek government's representative is scheduled to arrive at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist at 10:15. A formal doxology commemorating the city's liberation will follow at 10:30, attended by religious, political, military and local authorities.
A reception will be held at the Central Town Hall at 11:00, followed by a memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the Fallen at 11:45.
The main military and student parade will begin at 12:15 in front of officials at Eleftheria Square. It will include military personnel, students, scouts, guides, cultural and volunteer organizations, folklore associations, and representatives of war veterans and victims.
A musical event organized by the Supreme Military Command of Thrace will take place at 13:30 in Republic Square.
The anniversary program will conclude with the lowering of the Greek flag at 18:00, followed at 18:30 by an honorary event dedicated to Anna Tenezi for her overall body of work. Tenezi was born in İskeçe to parents who were refugees from Asia Minor.
