Report – Commemorative Events for the 120th Anniversary of the Death of Pavlos Melas | Round Table Discussion

**On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 6:00 PM, in the Auditorium of the Central Library of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a Round Table Discussion will be organized by the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia Foundation (IMMA) with the participation of specialists and professors from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Macedonia. The discussion will focus on the lesser-known aspects of the Macedonian Struggle and the broader Macedonian Issue in the early 20th century.**

During the event, the Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor of Geology, Mr. Charalampos Feidas, delivered an opening speech, emphasizing the historical importance of the Struggle for the Liberation of Macedonia and the contribution of IMMA to the public history dialogue concerning the region. In his brief speech, he praised the Foundation’s ongoing educational and research work, as well as the exemplary reception of Aristotle University students at the IMMA’s Macedonian History and Documentation Research Center (KEMIT), which has even been awarded by the corresponding Internship Office. He also highlighted the contribution of Aristotle University to research and education related to Macedonia and the mutually beneficial collaboration between the two institutions, with a shared goal of preserving Macedonia’s history and ensuring the proper academic training and research activities of students.

In her greeting, the Director of IMMA, Mrs. Athena Pavlidou, spoke about the commemorative program designed by IMMA for the 120th anniversary of the death of Pavlos Melas, as well as the Foundation’s aim to illuminate the historical context of the era in which the emblematic Macedonian fighter grew and acted.

The discussion was moderated by Dimitrios Livanios, Assistant Professor of Modern Greek and European History at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Mr. Vasilis Gounaris, Professor of Modern History at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, discussed the unique conditions prevailing in the Macedonian region and the factors that facilitated or hindered the conduct of the struggle there. Despite the numerous differences, the Macedonian Struggle functioned as the 1821 of Macedonia, he emphasized, noting that it involved the mobilization of a society for a common cause. On his part, Mr. Ioannis Stefanidis, Professor of Diplomatic History at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, highlighted the significance of the international environment during the 1903-1908 period and stressed that the immediate goal of the Macedonian Struggle was not to incorporate Macedonia but to prevent a development that would completely sever Macedonia from the Greek state. Next, Mr. Vlasis Vlasidis, Professor of Modern Balkan History at the University of Macedonia, spoke about the impact of the Greek-Bulgarian conflict on Bulgarian hegemony. Finally, the scientific collaborator of IMMA, Dr. Konstantinos Papannikolaou, discussed the internal processes in the Greek Kingdom during the same period. Following the professors’ presentations, a fruitful discussion with the audience took place.

In his brief intervention regarding the parallels between 1821 and the Macedonian Struggle, the Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonian and Thracian Affairs, Mr. Konstantinos P. Gioulekas, emphasized that the national desire that led the fighters to make the Revolution in 1821 was the same force that drove the Struggle in the occupied areas.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonian and Thracian Affairs, Mr. Konstantinos P. Gioulekas, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Gavriil Alexiou, representative of the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, the Deputy Regional Governor of Culture and Sports, Mr. Christos Mittas, Colonel Mr. Adamoglou, representative of the Commander of the Third Army Corps, the Deputy Mayor for Social Solidarity and Health of the Municipality of Pavlos Melas, Mrs. Karasavvidou, representative of the Mayor of Pavlos Melas, university professors, educators, students, and many others.

The Memorial Events of IMMA, held under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior, Sector of Macedonia and Thrace, continue with Thematic Tours at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and will conclude with a Theatrical Performance of a Dramatic Narrative in collaboration with the National Theatre of Northern Greece.

**Sponsors:** TITAN Group, Alumil S.A.

**Supporters:** ISOMAT S.A., Redestos Efthymiadis Agrotechnology Group

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