Presentation of the publication “Awakening of the Nation: by PAYLOS MELAS”

“Awakening of the Nation: Pavlos Melas” is the title of the luxurious publication of the Foundation for the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and the Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA), presented for the first time to the general public. It is a rare collection of historical documents that includes more than one hundred letters of condolence received by the Melas and Dragoumi families when the news of the unexpected death of the Macedonian gladiator Pavlos Melas became known. The fact of his sacrifice, the scope of his heroic death and the echoes of the legend of Melas are presented through unique letters from important personalities of the time, such as Konstantinos Mazarakis – Aignanos, Germanos Karavangelis, Lakis Pyrzas, Athanasios Exadaktylou, Louisa Riancour, Ekaterini Laskaridou and Sophia Trikoupi. The publication also includes resolutions of municipalities, communities, societies and numerous associations of the free, enslaved and parochial Hellenism of the early 20th century. These documents highlight the symbolic dimension of Melas’ sacrifice, a heroic act that made the Macedonian Question a national cause.

The archival material was donated to the Museum by his granddaughter, Ms. Natalia Ioannidi, for its scientific promotion and utilization. The publication was made on the initiative of the Ministry of National Defence, while the cost of the publication was borne by the Civil Non-Profit Company of Drama KYKLOPS.