On the 14th of May 1920, Komotini was freed after centuries of Ottoman and Bulgarian occupation.
It was one of the last cities that joined the newly established Hellenic Republic after the country’s independence. To commemorate this, every year in May, the people of Komotini celebrate the Freedom of Thrace in a row of festivities called “The Eleftheria”. Starting on the second day of the month, the festivities last for 16 days with several events taking place around the city including traditional dances, exhibitions, feasts and more.
This year an extra special event takes place, the International Conference on the 100 Years of Komotini’s Freedom which was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions for the past two years, consecutively.
Here is the program of anniversary events for the 102 Years of Freedom in detail.
Monday, May 2
8.00 p.m. In the streets of the city starting from the Tobacco Warehouse up to the square, bagpipers of the Laboratory of the House of Tradition and Folklore “Philotechnes” will play music across the city.
Tuesday, 3 May
8.30 p.m. Cultural Movement
Mikros Diakomos presents the play “Minotaur”.
It is a musical performance with elements of performance and dance.
Wednesday, 4 May
6.30 p.m. Read of the book “Deceiving Time” written by Anastasis Vistonitis at the local public library, Tsanakleios School organized by the Directorate of Secondary Education of Rodopi.
8.30 p.m. The Cultural Movement of Rodopi
organises a Jazz Concert with the 14-member Big Band “Allegro” under the direction of Nikos Ieronymos.
Thursday, 5 May
6.30 p.m. A presentation on “Konstantinos Karatheodori in Smyrna on the eve of the Asia Minor Catastrophe”. A history lesson presented by the Karatheodori Museum on the life, work and educational activities of Konstantinos Karatheodori, the famous Greek mathematician of Einstein. The event takes place at Tsanakleios School.
9.00 p.m. Live with the band “Endless Stream” at the city’s Central Square.
Friday, 6 May
10.00 a.m. The first GREEN FEST, a festival underlying the ecological issues are planet is currently facing, organised by The Youth and Volunteering Center “Exagono” of the Municipality of Komotini in collaboration with the Directorate of Primary Education of Rodopi and FOLLOW GREEN takes place. The event includes educational floor games and interactive actions for the environment such as the importance of recycling and the negative effects of sea pollution. The event is mainly for the students of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th and 13th High School of Komotini.
Moreover, vegan food cooked by the students of the Public vocational school of Komotini in collaboration with the Association for the Care of People with Special Needs “Agioi Theodoroi” will be available to the public.
07.00 p.m.
The formal opening of the Conference for the 100 years of Komotini’s Freedom with Konstantinos Hatzopoulos presenting “The entry of the Greek army in Thrace and the integration of the region in Greece”
The conference will take place at the Papanikolaou Foundation, from 6-8 May.
9.00 p.m. A live music concert – Tribute to the great composer Mikis Theodorakis with Giannis Kallaris “In the Dream the Balcony” will take place at the Komotini Summer Theater. The mixed choir of the Association of Evrites of “E.CHO” participates.
Saturday, May 7
9.30 a.m. The second day of the Conference for the 100 years of Komotini’s Freedom at Papanikolaou Foundation.
12.00 p.m. A presentation on “The 1st POCKET PARK IN KOMOTINI” at the Intersection of Vyronos and Makedonias streets.
The Municipal Council of Youth of Komotini with the Youth and Volunteering Center “Exagono” contribute to the transformation of an abandoned space into a cradle of greenery, a pocket of green! The members of the Municipal Council of Youth of Komotini, volunteers and citizens will meet at the site where the park will be created and will make the first tree and aromatic plants planting.
8.00 p.m.
Folklore dance groups from the area will dance under the music of the local band “Thrakomelo”.
8.30 p.m.
Myrsini Latzouraki Theatrical Workshop “On Stage” presents the play “Flight 1702 08, Kosovo” at DIPETHE Komotinis.
9.00 p.m.
The “Evmolpos” Choir under the direction of Mr. Sakis Vargemetzidis will sing at the Cultural Movement.
Sunday, May 8
9.30 a.m.
Last day of the Conference for the 100 years of Komotini’s Freedom at Papanikolaou Foundation.
9.00 a.m.
The Youth and Volunteering Center “Exagono” in collaboration with the Mountaineering Association of Komotini and the Panhellenic Association of Foresters and Natural Environment Managers, plan educational hiking on the beautiful and picturesque trails in the areas of Nymfaia, Parcharia, Neromuloi. The meeting point where the excursion will start is The Great Heroon (Spathi). During the hike, a representative from the Forest Service will share with the participants their knowledge and useful information regarding the flora of the forest. After the hike, there will be a climbing demonstration at the Symbols. The action is supported by the Greek Red Cross.
11.00 a.m.
The House of Culture, Tradition and Folklore “Philotechnes” celebrates World Dance Day at the courtyard of I.N. Annunciation of the Virgin.
8.30 p.m.
Myrsini Latzouraki Theatrical Workshop “On Stage” presents the play “Flight 1702 08, Kosovo” at DIPETHE Komotinis.
Monday, May 9
6.00 p.m. “Exagon” in collaboration with the Ecological Group of Rodopi, grO2be and the ORGANIZATION EARTH is planning an open dialogue about Nature for those with ecological concerns. The event takes place at Pandrosos Museum of Natural History.
06.00 p.m.
Opening of an exhibition of Thracian artists at Papanikolaou Foundation. The exhibition will last until the 14th of May.
6.30 p.m.
Tribute to the Mayors of Epirus of Komotini at the Tsanakleios School.
Tuesday, 10 May
10:00 a.m. At the Vegetable Gardens of Komotini (OAED)
“Exagono” in collaboration with the GI (Earth) Organization, the Spores of Rodopi and the support of environmental organizations of the city, plan the “From the field to the plate in a sustainable way”, an interactive way for people to learn more about food production and waste.
7.30 p.m.
Presentation of the novel “Tracca The Witch of Thrace” by Nagia Dalakoura in collaboration with KLEIDARITHMOS publications and the DIMOKRITIO bookstore at the Byzantine castle of Komotini.
Marika Pournara, a local lawyer, will talk about the book.
8.30 p.m.
Traditional song concert with Theodosis Abatzianis
“With two homelands in the heart,” A journey to the ends of the Universe guided by the song at the central square of Komotini.
Wednesday, 11 May
6.00 p.m.
Annual photo exhibition of the Photographic Group of Komotini at the Tobacco warehouse. The exhibition will last until the 18th of May.
7.00 p.m.
Festive Byzantine Music live concert at the Papanikolaou Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Friends of Byzantine Music of the Metropolis of Maronia.
8.30 p.m. REX
Concert with Zoe Tiganourias and Michalis Sourvinos. The two distinguished soloists masterfully combine the sounds of their musical instruments (accordion & guitar) in a program based on the Nuevo Tango of Argentina (celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the unique Astor Piazzolla), but also in masterpieces of great composers from Europe and America to their own compositions. Stelios Generalis also participates in percussion.
Thursday, 12 May
6.30 p.m.
Book presentation for “The first rains” by Spyros Kiosse at the Tsanakleios School.
Tassos grew up in a popular provincial neighborhood of Komotini in the late ’70s, a transitional period for Greek society. A short story about adulthood, with all the innocence and tragedy that characterizes the most critical period of human life.
7.30 p.m.
“1922 -2022: 100 years since the Asia Minor catastrophe” at the Papanikolaou Foundation. Speech by Mr. Nikolaos Intzesiloglou, Emeritus Professor of History, Philosophy and Sociology of Law.
9.00 p.m.
“Here to stay” is a live concert with the magnificent Eleftheria Arvanitaki at the central square.
Friday, 13 May
10:30 a.m.
Official raising of the historic flag of the city by the Mayor of Komotini, Ioannis Garanis at the Central Heroon (Spathi). Representatives of the Local Government, the authorities of the XXI Armored Brigade and the Honorary Military Procession will be present. A Memorial prayer and laying of wreaths will follow.
07.00 p.m.
Reception of the holy icon of the Mother of God of the holy monastery of Panagia Faneromeni Vathyrryakos.
Reception of the icon and its procession to the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos of Komotini, where a vespers with a bread class will be held.
8.00 p.m.
Folklore dance groups will dance under the melody of the band “Orpheus”.
9.00 p.m.
Speech about the Freedom of Thrace by Prof. Angelos Palikidis, Associate Professor of History Teaching, Department of History & Ethnology, Democritus University of Thrace at the Papanikolaou Foundation.
Saturday, 14 May
7.00 a.m. Doxology at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin. After the eulogy, the solemnity of the day will be recited. Laying of wreaths at the Central Heroon and a parade of The Cultural Organizations, the students, the Armed Forces and the Greek Police will follow.
8.00 a.m.
2nd “Brevert Eleftheria Thrace” 2022 at the Central Square. The event with the international code title “Brevet Eleftheria Thrace” has received an official license to organize events Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRM) and has been part of the official international calendar ACP program since September 2020. It concerns the crossing of 210 km through many five local houses and five different municipalities (Municipality of Komotini, Municipality of Arriana, Municipality of Maronia Sapon, Municipality of Vistonida, Municipality of Iasmos) in two Regional Associations of Rodopi and Xanthi.
8.00 p.m.
Dance groups are accompanied by the band “Lalitades of Rodopi” at Central Square.
Sunday, 15 May
11.00 a.m. At the west entrance of Panthrakikos Stadium, the Equestrian Club of Komotini is waiting for the public to show them their four-legged friends.
9.00 p.m.
Concert with Georgia Ntagaki at the Central Square.
With her beautiful melodies, songs and lyre, Georgia Ntagaki travels and enchants the people of Komotini with her band.
Monday, 16 May
7.30 p.m.
Since 1977 the International Museum Council has been organizing the International Museum Day at the Folklore Museum of Komotini. The aim of this year’s theme of celebration “The Power of Museums” is to highlight the role of museum spaces in the issue of Mental Health in the difficult times of modern society.
Tuesday, 17 May
9.00 p.m.
Concert with the band “As Old” at the Central Square.
Wednesday, 18 May
7.30 p.m.
Revival of chant in the streets of the city and around the Komotini Club starting from the Central Square.
Organization: Cultural Association of the Byzantine Fortress of Komotini. The “Evmolpos” Choir participates.
The program is presented by journalist Irini Tsakiri.
Images of Komotini by Anastasia Fountouli ©
