Communist Party of Greece hold many events across Greece

During the past five days, 902.gr has reported on a wide range of activities organised by local and regional organisations of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and its youth organisation, KNE. A particularly strong theme is the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE), which is being used by the Party for historical commemorations, political education and public events across the country. Alongside this, the 52nd KNE–Odigitis Festival continues its tour of Greek towns and islands, combining political discussion with cultural and recreational programmes.

1. KKE historical and political events

A major part of the current programme is devoted to the history of the DSE and the broader history of the communist and resistance movements.

In Crete, the KKE's Anogia Party Organisation organised a commemorative event dedicated to Vangelio Kladou, under the title “Vangelio Kladou – A Life in the Struggle.” The event examined both the participation of women in the DSE and Kladou's role as a teacher who joined the DSE. It concluded with a musical tribute. The same organisation also organised a separate event commemorating ELAS fighters who participated in the Battle of Sfakaki, combining a wreath-laying ceremony and presentation of the battle's history with a political speech on contemporary lessons from the EAM–ELAS resistance and a screening of the documentary Sfakaki.

In Corfu, the KKE's local organisation held an event honouring Kostas Chytiris and the 200 communists executed at Kaisariani. Speakers stressed the importance of preserving communist historical memory and drawing political conclusions from it. The programme included contributions from relatives of Chytiris, a presentation by a local cultural association, a documentary on the 200 executions and a central speech by Giannis Borbotis, secretary of the Corfu KKE organisation.

The KKE is also conducting a substantial programme in the Grammos–Konitsa area. The Epirus–Corfu–Lefkada Regional Organisation has organised a two-day programme marking 80 years since the establishment of the DSE. The first day includes a guided tour of the DSE Museum at Theotokos in Konitsa, a wreath-laying ceremony at the DSE monument at Lykorachi and a political speech by Maria Andreadou, a member of the KKE Central Committee and regional secretary, followed by a tribute to partisan songs.

The programme continues with a historical hike in Grammos, reflecting the Party's broader effort to connect historical sites with political education and collective memory.

2. KNE Festival activities

The 52nd KNE–Odigitis Festival has been particularly prominent in the recent 902.gr coverage. During this period, the festival continued its tour through different regions, with reports emphasising significant participation by young people, workers and families. The festival combines political intervention with concerts, theatre, exhibitions, sporting activities and social gatherings.

In Thasos, festival events were held in Skala Potamias and Limenas, while in Kourouta, Elis, the festival made another stop on its summer tour. The programme in different locations has been designed to combine political discussion with cultural activities and entertainment.

In Litochoro, the festival also made a stop, while in Chania a theatrical presentation of Deka Októ Enatou was staged as part of the broader cultural activity associated with the festival.

The festival is also maintaining a strong emphasis on youth participation and sport. One recent report highlights the festival's intervention on sport as a contemporary social need and a right for everyone.

The festival programme extends well beyond the five-day period covered here, with upcoming events in places including Ikaria, Kos, Thasos, Naxos and Leros. In several of these events, KKE or KNE officials are scheduled to speak, while exhibitions on the DSE, book stalls, concerts and popular music programmes form part of the activities.

3. Anti-imperialist and anti-war mobilisation

Another major strand of activity has been the mobilisation around the anniversary of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Party supported the large anti-imperialist mobilisation organised by the Greek Committee for International Detente and Peace (EEDYE), together with trade unions and mass organisations, took place on 6 August, beneath the Acropolis. The event commemorated the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki while linking their memory to contemporary opposition to imperialist wars and military intervention. Participants raised slogans including “The only enemy is imperialism” and “NATO out, close the bases, no participation in interventions.”

4. Social and cultural activity

In northern Evia, KKE organisations held popular festivals in Istiaia and Mantoudi, with significant participation from workers and local families. 

In Lesvos, the KKE's Territorial Organisation and the Mantamados Party Organisation organised a book presentation devoted to the life of communist Nikos Vavoudis. The book, Aspros Skylos, Mavros Skylos, traces Vavoudis's life from Russia and Lesvos through the labour movement, the Spanish Civil War, imprisonment and his work as a radio operator for the illegal KKE organisation in post-Civil War Greece. The event included presentations by local KKE representatives, a former mayor and teacher, and the author, Sotiria Maragkozaki.

(Photo: 902.gr)