The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis attends the re-enactment ceremony of the Battle of Kalpaki

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis attends the re-enactment ceremony of the Battle of Kalpaki

October 27, 2025

On Monday 27 October 2025, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, representing the Hellenic Government, attended the re-enactment ceremony of the Battle of Kalpaki, honouring this year's festivities of Pogonio Municipality "KALPAKEIA 2025". There, he was welcomed by the Mayor Konstantinos Kapsalis.

The re-enactment ceremony was attended by the New Democracy MP of Ioannina Georgios Amyras, representing the Hellenic Parliament, the New Democracy MP of Ioannina Maria Kefala, the Regional Governor of Epirus Alexandros Kachrimanis, the Commanding General of the 1^stARMY Lieutenant General Stavros Papastathopoulos, representing the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Dean of the Ioannina University Anna Batistatou, the Mayor of Aghia Napa Christos Zannetou, the Deputy Mayor of Sfakia Ioannis Boliotis, representing the Mayor of Sfakia Ioannis Zervos and the Commanding General of the 8^thMotorised Brigade (VII MOTORISED BRIGADE "EPIRUS") Brigadier General Vasileios Kolios.

Upon conclusion of the ceremony, Mr Davakis stated:

With great emotion and national pride, I am present today at the historical Kalpaki, the place where some of the most glorious pages of the Modern Greek history were written with blood and gallantry.

The re-enactment of the Battle of Kalpaki is not just a ceremonial event. It is a gentle reminder of the determination, unity and courage that the Greeks in 1940 possessed. The image of the soldiers who defended our country with self-denial and faith to the ideals of freedom remains an eternal example for all of us.

Greece honours the heroes of the Epic of 1940 not with words, but with actions: with strong and modern Armed Forces, with faith in peace and the international law, with devotion to national security and deterrent power.

Heartfelt congratulations to the organisers, the participants and the civilians, who, with their live presence, keep the memory of Kalpaki inextinguishable. Today's ceremony reminds us that the morale of 1940 remains vivid-and that Greece, united and strong, proceeds with self-confidence to the future.

Happy anniversary!"