The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, Today, Monday, September 22, 2025, as a spokesman for the President of the Government, at the event at the War Museum to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its operation, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Konstantinou Tasoula.
The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defense Thanassis Davakis, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Ioannis Andrianos, the Deputy Minister of Education, Religions and Sports Konstantinos Vlasi, the Deputy Minister of Digital Governance and Food Christos Kellas, the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Ioannis Lambropoulos, the Deputy Minister of Development Lazaros Tsavdaridis, the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Aliki Hatzis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice Pelos Laskos.
The military leadership was attended by the Chief of General Staff General Dimitrios Houpis, the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General George Kostidis, the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Dimitrios – Eleftherios Qataris PN and the Chief of Staff I
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Also attended by the MP, Fr. Evangelos Apostolakis PN, the Commander of Mount Athos and Fr. Chrysostomos as a representative of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vice -Commander of the War Museum. (I) Konstantinos Karamesinis, Vice Presidents A and 2nd Lieutenant Commander e. Alexandros Diakopoulos and Lieutenant General EA Ioannis Tsounakos The members of the Board of Directors Michael Tsamaz Brigadier ET, Konstantinos Velentzas Taxia ET, Efstathios Potamitis Taxiarchos ET and Panagiotis Laskaridis Lieutenant General ET, Honorary Chiefs, Officers and Officers, as well as Museum staff.
The Minister of National Defense mentioned in his greeting:
‘Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to be a great honor today and to address you on the 50th anniversary of the Museum of Operation.
A central building for the city of Athens.
A building of central importance for the armed forces of our country, I dare say about all Greeks and all Greeks.
This building is an architectural expression of the Bauhaus period and was designed to highlight our national heritage.
To promote our national continuity, especially to the younger generations of Greeks. Because, as the President said, a 21st century museum before, it cannot and should not be a mere quotation of objects.
We cannot stay in the 60’s, where this museum was designed.
And we have to be honest.
The War Museum, or if you want more anthropocentric, the Museum of Greeks in the war, must evolve. We may have been delayed.
Contemporary War Museum is the visualization of the information of the national narrative, our collective national memory.
So he has to in the soul of the young Greeks, the children of today. Of a time of globalization.
And explain to them the codes of national symbols.
This museum must participate in the national effort, not with stereotypes, old -fashioned ethical rules, but in terms of the current 21st century.
And to formulate the narrative with adequacy and to formulate it on social networks.
To participate in the social dialogue for the promotion of national identity in the future, maintaining and highlighting our past.
I have repeatedly said that for me the word maintenance has a deep positive sign. And in the Greek language the opposite of progress is the regression. Maintenance is positive, its opposite is rot.
The War Museum must be intertwined with Hellenism and outside the geographical borders of the Greek state.
The Greeks of the diaspora, ladies and gentlemen, may be even more Greek than us and are entitled to contact with the history of the nation and have more need.
So, following this holistic approach we have called “Agenda 2030”, our war museum will also enter the new era.
Of course, the installations are required, the design of new services provided, perhaps re -evaluation of the architectural choices of its important designer, University, Thucydides Valentis.
We are seeking, however, and the purpose remains, stable, over time to pride in the 21st century, the values and struggles of the nation.
To us, Hellenism, inside and outside but also in the international community.
Because the timeless ideology of Hellenism embraces cosmopolitanism.
It is opposed to an enclosed anachronistic phobic provincialism.
The collaboration first and not only with the Imperial War Museum of London, the forthcoming synergies with other overseas museums ensure the breadth of the project and the timeless promotion of Hellenism and the international historical heritage.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At this point, I would like to express my warmest thanks to those who contribute to the Museum.
By supporting their actions the new attempt to highlight our historical tradition.
I would like to start with President Vice President Ea. Constantine Karamesini.
The members of the Board of Directors, distinguished scientists and donors of the Armed Forces.
The Lieutenant Commander in honor of Mr Laskaridis, the Taxiarches in honor of Mr. Mytilineos, K. Tsamaz, K. Velentza, Mr. Stathis Potamitis and the Chief of Staff in honor of Mr. Angelakos.
They have repeatedly proven their interest in maintaining our national heritage.
They are proven brilliant companions of the Ministry of National Defense in trying to strengthen and promote the work of the Armed Forces in the past and in the present.
I would also like to thank the museum staff. It is certain that without them any effort will not succeed. They also contribute to the entrance of the War Museum in the New Age.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In a few days, the first phase of his renovation of until recently architectural abortion, which was the building of the Ministry of Defense, is completed.
And on this occasion, I would like to say that we have already secured private resources, the continuation of renovation. A short time ago, Piraeus Bank announced to me by its chief executive, Mr Great, that it offers the amount of 10m euros to the Ministry of National Defense to continue renovation.
So liberated from the concern of the Ministry we can focus with the President and the members of the Board of Directors to create the new era of the War Museum.
Because we want to make the museum a reference point not only for the history of Greeks in the war, but also for the capital of the state, the city of Athens, with millions of international visitors.
So a modern building, a modern museum, worthy of the historical memory of a great nation. The nation of the Greeks.
Thank you very much”.