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Page 1: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of

Panepirotic Federation

Page 2: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation
Page 3: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Panepirotic Federation is Panepirotic Federation is asking for the following….asking for the following….

Property rights for the Greek minorityProperty rights for the Greek minority Rightful return of religious properties, Rightful return of religious properties,

including land, to the Orthodox including land, to the Orthodox ChurchChurch

The right to teach the mother tongueThe right to teach the mother tongue Ethnic census Ethnic census  Free Greek prisoners who are Free Greek prisoners who are

imprisoned imprisoned

Page 4: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Northern Northern EpirusEpirus

•The Greek ethnic minority emerged as a consequence of the establishment of the Albanian state in 1913

•Located in the north-west corner of the Hellenic world, in southern Albania of today, is still struggling for basic human rights

•Historically, this region has always been a Greek speaking region

•Its inhabitants constantly affirmed themselves as Greeks.

Page 5: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Northern EpirusNorthern Epirus

•The proclamation of autonomy in 1914 was signed by the Albanians and approved by the Great Powers.

•Communist dictator Enver Hoxha dropped the iron curtain on Albania after WWII. It was the beginning of a dramatic period for the Greek population of Northern Epirus.

•There were an estimated 300,000 Greeks living in Enver Hoxha’s Albania after WWII, up until the curtain was lifted in 1991.

Page 6: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

The modern Greek state…The modern Greek state…

Many Northern Epirotans excelled as benefactors of the modern Greek state, during the 19th century. They were instrumental in rebuilding Athens as a modern European capital. Most of them were successful businessmen, with active business ties to the Hapsburg Empire, as well as the Romanian principalities.

Page 7: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Apostolos Arsakis - the founder of the modern Greek educational system, also known as Philekpaideytikē Etaireía

(Society of the Friends of Education)

Panepistimiou Avenue, Athens Council of State

Page 8: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Banker, Baron Georgios Sinas and his son Simon

Panepistimiou Avenue, Athens

Academy of Athens

Page 9: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Evangelos Zappas, a founder of the modern Olympic

movement

Athens, City center

Exhibition Hall

Page 10: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Zappeion Hall (interior)Zappeion Hall (interior)

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Hoxha’s statue in the Albanian Hoxha’s statue in the Albanian capital, Tiranacapital, Tirana

The mandatory cult of Enver Hoxha, characterized The mandatory cult of Enver Hoxha, characterized the Communist reality in Albania.the Communist reality in Albania.

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Life for the Greek Minority Life for the Greek Minority under the rule of Enver Hoxhaunder the rule of Enver Hoxha

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Abolition οf relίgίon and religious-orίented cultural

activitίes The abolition of religion in Albania in 1967, dealt the The abolition of religion in Albania in 1967, dealt the

most severe blow to the identity of the Greek most severe blow to the identity of the Greek national minority. national minority.

This measure affected aThis measure affected allll religious and Christian religious and Christian denominations in Albania. However, the Greek denominations in Albania. However, the Greek Orthodox Christian religion, had been associated with Orthodox Christian religion, had been associated with the Greek nation since Byzantine times. It had been the Greek nation since Byzantine times. It had been the spiritual heart and guarantor of the Greek the spiritual heart and guarantor of the Greek Orthodox churches. By defrocking the priests and by Orthodox churches. By defrocking the priests and by prohibiting religious-oriented cultural activitiesprohibiting religious-oriented cultural activities——such such as saints' festivals and religious anniversariesas saints' festivals and religious anniversaries——the the regime cut off the cultural links of the Greek regime cut off the cultural links of the Greek mmίίnority, not only wnority, not only wίίth the Greeks across the border, th the Greeks across the border, but with Greeks all over the world.but with Greeks all over the world.

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Forced ethnologForced ethnologίίcal alteratcal alteratίίon of Greek on of Greek vvίίllagesllages

There was a There was a concerted effort to alter concerted effort to alter character of the ethnic Greek "minority character of the ethnic Greek "minority territory" pursued by the Albanian regime for territory" pursued by the Albanian regime for over four decades. This involved the transfer over four decades. This involved the transfer and settlement of ethnic Albanians into Greek and settlement of ethnic Albanians into Greek villages. Moreover, in certain cases, entirely villages. Moreover, in certain cases, entirely new Albanian settlements were interposed new Albanian settlements were interposed among clusters of Greek villages. among clusters of Greek villages. Consequently, in the villages, converted into Consequently, in the villages, converted into mixed habitations of Greeks and Albanians, mixed habitations of Greeks and Albanians, the ethnic Greeks lost the rudimentary right the ethnic Greeks lost the rudimentary right to have a few years of Greek-language to have a few years of Greek-language elementary education.elementary education.

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Forced reduction of minority territory The area where the Greek minority lives was The area where the Greek minority lives was

artificially artificially limited to the two southern provinces, comprised limited to the two southern provinces, comprised of 100 Greek villages: Argyrokastro of 100 Greek villages: Argyrokastro ααnnd Agia d Agia Saranda.Saranda.

Members of this minority confined in this "minority Members of this minority confined in this "minority territory" were allowed certain rudimentary rights, territory" were allowed certain rudimentary rights, such as such as αα four-year Greek language education and four-year Greek language education and the publication of the publication of αα newspaper, conveying in newspaper, conveying in Greek the line of the Albanian Communist Party as Greek the line of the Albanian Communist Party as propaganda to the members of the minority. propaganda to the members of the minority. Outside this territory, Outside this territory, no no individual was individual was recognised as an ethnic Greek. The populations of recognised as an ethnic Greek. The populations of entire ethnic Greek villages were registered as entire ethnic Greek villages were registered as ethnic Albanians, thus loosing the right to speak ethnic Albanians, thus loosing the right to speak their mother tongue and to engage in cultural their mother tongue and to engage in cultural activities related to their ethnicity.activities related to their ethnicity.

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Statistical Statistical ““genocidegenocide””

The manipulation of statistical dataThe manipulation of statistical data——αα classical method of squeezing the size of classical method of squeezing the size of αα minorminorίίtyty——was applied in the case of the was applied in the case of the Greek national minority to the point of Greek national minority to the point of excluding at least 3/4 of its numerical excluding at least 3/4 of its numerical strength. Initially, astrength. Initially, allll ethnic Greeks, ethnic Greeks, numbering in tens of thousands, living numbering in tens of thousands, living outside the "minority territory" were ignored. outside the "minority territory" were ignored. Moreover, figures of the registered members Moreover, figures of the registered members of the minority within the territory, were of the minority within the territory, were sharply sharply ααnnd arbitrarily reduced. Thus, out of d arbitrarily reduced. Thus, out of a minority nearing 300,000 members, the a minority nearing 300,000 members, the official Albanian census of 1988 recorded official Albanian census of 1988 recorded 58,000 individuals.58,000 individuals.

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Expulsion of ethnic Greeks from their "territory"

ΑΑ policy of systematic reduction of the policy of systematic reduction of the Greek national minority living in the Greek national minority living in the "minority territory" was put into effect. "minority territory" was put into effect. Mass transfers of Greeks to Albanian Mass transfers of Greeks to Albanian towns and villages, dispersed through out towns and villages, dispersed through out the country were recorded.the country were recorded.

Dissidents or alleged opponents of the Dissidents or alleged opponents of the "socialist fatherland" were exiled to labour "socialist fatherland" were exiled to labour camps in the north.camps in the north.

Better educated members of the minority Better educated members of the minority were attracted to Tirana, for lack of were attracted to Tirana, for lack of employment in the minority territory.employment in the minority territory.

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CCυυltural de-Hellenltural de-Hellenίίzatzatίίon of the on of the "m"mίίnority territory"nority territory"

At the same time, the "minority territory" was At the same time, the "minority territory" was subjected to a forced Albanization process. The subjected to a forced Albanization process. The Greek names of villages Greek names of villages ααnd geographical areas nd geographical areas were substituted by Albanian names. Greek were substituted by Albanian names. Greek antiquities and archaeological sites in the region, antiquities and archaeological sites in the region, dating back to classical and Hellenistic times, dating back to classical and Hellenistic times, were baptised ”Illyrian". Greek Byzantine were baptised ”Illyrian". Greek Byzantine monuments, mainly churches, were closed or monuments, mainly churches, were closed or converted to barns and storehouses, in the converted to barns and storehouses, in the context of the state-decreed atheist campaign.context of the state-decreed atheist campaign.

Thus, the ties of the Greek minority territory with Thus, the ties of the Greek minority territory with its classical, medieval and pre-1944 periods were its classical, medieval and pre-1944 periods were conveniently broken and erased.conveniently broken and erased.

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The elίmination αnd falsification of Greek hίstory

and culture Greek history and cultural heritage Greek history and cultural heritage

had been removed from school had been removed from school textbooks. It is not textbooks. It is not ααnn exaggeration exaggeration to say that an ethnic Greek chto say that an ethnic Greek chίίld ld acquired more knowledge about acquired more knowledge about events and the history of far away events and the history of far away Mongolia, than about next-door Mongolia, than about next-door Greece.Greece.

Page 20: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

The denial of Greek names to The denial of Greek names to new-bornsnew-borns

In the mid-1970's as the regime In the mid-1970's as the regime increased its assimilative practices, a increased its assimilative practices, a government decree prevented ethnic government decree prevented ethnic Greeks from giving Greek names to their Greeks from giving Greek names to their children. Despite Greek government children. Despite Greek government objections and an Albanian promise to objections and an Albanian promise to annul the measure, strong pressure on annul the measure, strong pressure on families continued to be exercised by families continued to be exercised by local authorities against Greek name local authorities against Greek name giving.giving.

Page 21: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Present day issues...Present day issues...

Property rightsProperty rights Bi-lingual signageBi-lingual signage EducationEducation——Greek Schools Greek Schools Census: ethnic & religious census Census: ethnic & religious census

required for entry into the EUrequired for entry into the EU Greek villages have been emptied Greek villages have been emptied

of their longtime inhabitants who of their longtime inhabitants who have fled to Greece in search of have fled to Greece in search of jobsjobs

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A characteristic example: Himarra todayA characteristic example: Himarra today

Enosis Himarrioton, is a group in Athens representing the ethnic Greek inhabitants of the Himara Province, as well as those living and working in Greece. They are undertaking a campaign to:

– To protect the rights of the ethnic Greek minority in Albania

– To actively monitor abuses, whether these originate with the Albanian Government or from other sectors of society

– To inform the Greek government, the Greeks of the diaspora, the governments of all European Union states, the European Union, NATO, the United States Government, the Government of the Russian Federation and the international press with a view to transmitting the message to the Albanian Government that it expects it to respect the basic values and principles that govern joining the European family of nations.

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Himarra region:Himarra region:Greek house demolished by Greek house demolished by

the Albanian authoritiesthe Albanian authorities

Himarra: sea, mountains and lush landscape. An excellent tourist destination, hence, valuable land

values….

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Himarra region: Greek Language Himarra region: Greek Language Education in N. EpirusEducation in N. Epirus

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Struggling for Greek education Struggling for Greek education in Northern Epirusin Northern Epirus

Village of Mesopot:Village of Mesopot:

Greek school: The kids are still thereGreek school: The kids are still there

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Greek SchoolGreek School

Village of Vrysera, DropolisVillage of Vrysera, Dropolis

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Greek SchoolGreek School

Village of TsoukaVillage of Tsouka

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Greek SchoolGreek School

Village of MoursiVillage of Moursi

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Greek Language Education in Northern EpirusGreek Language Education in Northern Epirus

Sopiki, Pogoni: Sopiki, Pogoni: Current Current

state of a former flourishing state of a former flourishing

Greek communityGreek community

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Spiritual LeadershipSpiritual Leadership

Metropolitan SevastianosMetropolitan Sevastianos– Drynopolis, Pogoniani and KonitsaDrynopolis, Pogoniani and Konitsa– A spiritual leader who led an international A spiritual leader who led an international

campaign for human rights in Northern Epiruscampaign for human rights in Northern Epirus– A freedom fighter!A freedom fighter!

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2121stst Spiritual Leader for Albanians & Spiritual Leader for Albanians & Greeks Greeks

Archbishop Dr. Anastasios of Tirana Archbishop Dr. Anastasios of Tirana and All Albaniaand All Albania

Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, is the Head of Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, is the Head of the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church. In 1996 the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church. In 1996 elected as the President of the World Council of Churches. elected as the President of the World Council of Churches. He is referred to by followers as "His Beatitude". Studied He is referred to by followers as "His Beatitude". Studied Law and Theology in Athens in 1978 he failed to be elected Law and Theology in Athens in 1978 he failed to be elected as Metropolitan Bishop of Peiraus and he received the Titular as Metropolitan Bishop of Peiraus and he received the Titular Bishopric of Androusa instead. In 1992 following the fall of Bishopric of Androusa instead. In 1992 following the fall of the Communist government he was appointed Archbishop of the Communist government he was appointed Archbishop of the newly established Albanian Church by the Ecumenical the newly established Albanian Church by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Born November 4, 1929 in Piraeus, Patriarch Bartholomew. Born November 4, 1929 in Piraeus, Greece. Greece.

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A case study: Pogoni regionA case study: Pogoni region The region of Pogoni provides a characteristic example of the The region of Pogoni provides a characteristic example of the

arbitrary division of Epirus in the early 20arbitrary division of Epirus in the early 20thth century. century. In the 16In the 16thth-17-17thth century, the historical capital of Pogoni, century, the historical capital of Pogoni,

Dipalitsa, (Molyvdoskepastos) located in both parts of the Dipalitsa, (Molyvdoskepastos) located in both parts of the Greek-Albanian was a prosperous city, seat of an archbishop, Greek-Albanian was a prosperous city, seat of an archbishop, embellished by number of remarkable Byzantine and post-embellished by number of remarkable Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments, and the place of the most important Byzantine monuments, and the place of the most important commercial fair of Epiruscommercial fair of Epirus

During that period, in the Romanian principalities, a number During that period, in the Romanian principalities, a number of people originally from Pogoni developed an intense of people originally from Pogoni developed an intense commercial activity, acquired extensive lands, joined the commercial activity, acquired extensive lands, joined the local aristocracy, assumed state functions, and largely local aristocracy, assumed state functions, and largely supported their homeland as well as Mount Athos and other supported their homeland as well as Mount Athos and other holy places under Ottoman domination. holy places under Ottoman domination.

Nothing today evokes the Dipalitsas’ former glory, other than Nothing today evokes the Dipalitsas’ former glory, other than a number of religious monuments and the stone bridges in a number of religious monuments and the stone bridges in the area. the area.

Page 34: Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation

Panepirotic Federation of Panepirotic Federation of America is asking for…America is asking for…

Property rights for the Greek minorityProperty rights for the Greek minority Rightful return of religious properties Rightful return of religious properties

to the Orthodox Churchto the Orthodox Church The right to teach the mother tongueThe right to teach the mother tongue Ethnic census Ethnic census  Free Greek prisonersFree Greek prisoners Economic development of the regionEconomic development of the region

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Northern Epirotan HeroesNorthern Epirotan Heroesfrom Himarra…from Himarra…

SpyromiliosSpyromilios

Spiro SpyromiliosSpiro Spyromilios

Hero of the Balkan Hero of the Balkan WarsWars

Vassilis Bollanos

Mayor of Himarra &

President of OMONIA Organization