DRAMA — President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday attended the celebrations held in the northeastern Greek city of Drama for the 108th anniversary since its liberation from Bulgarian occupation forces.

Sakellaropoulou attended the official mass at the city's metropolitan cathedral and afterwards commented: "Today we celebrate the anniversary of the liberation of long-suffering Drama from the Bulgarian occupation forces. We celebrate the courage of the local population who, despite centuries' of tribulations, never forgot their history and did not give up their identity."

She also referred to the atrocities committed in nearby Doxato, noting that this had shocked the entire world at the time. "The memory of their sacrifice strengthens the faith of us all in the values and ideals of the nation," she added.

Drama Mayor Christodoulos Mamsakos welcomed the president and prime minister, noting the strong symbolism of their combined presence at the anniversary events.

These were also attended by National Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Alternate Interior Minister Stelios Petsas and Deputy Macedonia-Thrace Minister Stavros Kalafatis.

After the mass, Sakellaropoulou laid a wreath at the monument for the fallen and was warmly received by people gathered in the city centre, while she also visited the Anastasiades House, a listed building restored by AMKE Cyclops.

The president also visited the Town Hall and the Drama regional unit headquarters.