The History of the Macedonian Struggle and the Role of Local Communities in the Municipality of Oreokastro at the Centre of an Event Organised in Collaboration with IMMA

With a powerful message about the importance of historical memory and the value of knowledge, the Municipality of Oreokastro commemorated the Macedonian Struggle and honoured Pavlos Melas, in collaboration with the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA).

The central theme of the event, held at the “Nelly Deli” Hall of the “Pavlos Melas” municipal building in Palaiokastro, focused on what happened after the death of Pavlos Melas and how his sacrifice became a catalyst for the intensification of Greek mobilisation in Macedonia.

The event was organised as part of the collaboration between the Municipality of Oreokastro and IMMA, which began in 2025 with the aim of highlighting local history and continues through initiatives that connect historical research with collective memory and local identity.

From the Death of Melas to Collective Awakening

The keynote speaker was historian and IMMA Research Associate Dr Konstantinos S. Papanikolaou, who delivered a lecture entitled “The Macedonian Struggle after Pavlos Melas”, shedding light on the developments that followed his death on 13 October 1904 in Statista, Kastoria, now known as the village of Melas.

The speaker highlighted the profound impact of Pavlos Melas’ death on Greek society, explaining how the Macedonian question ceased to concern only a limited circle of military officers, politicians and journalists and evolved into a broader national cause.

He made particular reference to the historical research conducted by IMMA in the communities of the Municipality of Oreokastro concerning the Macedonian Struggle, as part of the project “Research and Documentation Services for Historical Material Relating to the Greater Municipality of Oreokastro for the Period 1897–1922”. He presented findings on the activities of local fighters, highlighting the role and contribution of the area to the historical developments of the period.

For her part, IMMA Director Athena Pavlidou addressed the event and referred, among other things, to the collaboration with the Municipality of Oreokastro, emphasising the importance of systematic historical research and the promotion of the region’s historical heritage.

The Mayor of Oreokastro, Pantelis Tsakiris, was represented by Deputy Mayor for Contemporary Culture Christina Zapra, who delivered his greeting and underlined the importance of continuity in preserving historical memory. As the Mayor characteristically stated in his message, “Remembrance requires consistency. Once is not enough.”

The event was also addressed by New Democracy MP Theodoros Karaoglou. He stressed the importance of teaching and promoting history and congratulated the Mayor of Oreokastro, Pantelis Tsakiris, on his initiative to collaborate with IMMA in order to highlight the municipality’s history and the contribution of local communities to the Macedonian Struggle.

The event was attended by a representative of the Region of Central Macedonia, deputy mayors and municipal councillors of the Municipality of Oreokastro, presidents of local communities, and representatives of associations and organisations.

The event also featured musical performances by the newly established choir of the Liti Centre for the Elderly (KAPI) and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Oreokastro, conducted by Achilleas Rousis.