The Minister of National Defence N. Dendias Attends the Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the War Museum

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The Minister of National Defence N. Dendias Attends the Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the War Museum

September 22, 2025

On Monday 22 September 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, as representative of the Prime Minister, attended the celebration for the 50^thanniversary of the operation of the War Museum, in the presence of the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Ioannis Andrianos, the Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Konstantinos Vlasis, the Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Christos Dermentzopoulos, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security Anna Efthymiou, the Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development 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 Chatziand the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice Pelops Laskos.

On behalf of the military leadership, the event was attended by the Chief/HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios Eleftherios-KatarasHN and the Deputy Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ioannis Kotsakis, as representative of the Chief/HAFGS.

The event was also attended by the MP, former Minister of National Defence and Honorary Chief/HNDGS Admiral (ret.) Evangelos ApostolakisHN, the Governor of Mount Athos and the former Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Bishop of Evripos Mr Chrysostomosas representative of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the War Museum Lieutenant General (ret.) (Pilot) Konstantinos Karamesinis, the First and Second Vice Presidents, Vice Admiral (ret.) Alexandros Diakopoulosand Lieutenant General (ret.) Ioannis Tzounakos, the Members of the Board, honorary Brigadier General Michael Chamaz, honorary Brigadier General Konstantinos Velentzas, honorary Brigadier General Efstathios Potamitis, honorary Rear Admiral Panagiotis Laskaridis, honorary Chiefs, Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, as well as the personnel of the Museum.

The Minister of National Defence stated in his address:

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great joy and honour for me to be here and address you today on the 50^thanniversary of the War Museum's operation.

A building of central importance to the city of Athens.

A building of central importance to the Armed Forces of our country, and dare I say for all Greeks.

This building is an architectural expression of the Bauhaus era and was built in order to showcase our national legacy.

To promote our National continuation, particularly to new Generations of Greeks. Since, as the Chairman mentioned previously, a 21^stCentury Museum should not simply be a presentation of objects.

We cannot remain in the 60s, when this Museum was designed.

And we ought to be honest.

The War Museum, or more human-centred if you may, the Museum of Greeks at War, should evolve. We may be late.

A Modern War Museum is the visualisation of the information of the National Story, of the Collective National Memory.

It ought to remain in the soul of young Greeks, children of this age. An age of globalisation.

And explain the codes of National Symbolism.

Thus, this Museum should participate in the national Effort, not through stereotypical, old-fashioned and moralistic rules, but in 21^stcentury terms.

And express the story sufficiently, as well as on social media.

Participate in the National conversation for projecting national identity into the future, maintaining and showcasing our past.

I have repeatedly stated that for me, conservation carries a deeply positive connotation. In the Greek language, the opposite of progress is regression. Conservation is positive, its opposite is decay.

The War Museum ought to be in dialogue with Hellenism, both within and without the Greek state.

The Diaspora Greeks, ladies and gentlemen, may be even more Greeks than us and they deserve contact with the Nation's History, as much as they need it.

Following this holistic approach we have named the "Agenda 2030", our War museum will enter Modernity.

Of course, it is necessary to upgrade the infrastructure, design new services to be provided, perhaps re-evaluate the Architectural Choices of its important designer, the university professor, Thoukydidis Venetis.

However, our aim remains the same, throughout time and we seek to proudly promote the values and struggles of the Nation into the 21^stCentury.

To us, Hellenism, here and abroad, and to the International community.

Since the timeless ideology of Hellenism embraces cosmopolitanism.

It stands against a closed-minded, anachronistic, fearful provincialism.

First of all, the cooperation with the London Imperial War Museum, but not only, the forthcoming joint actions with other foreign museums, guarantee the breadth of the effort and the timeless emphasis on the promotion of Hellenism and the international historical legacy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At this point I would like to express my warmest thanks to all those who contribute to the operation of the Museum.

Who, through their actions, support the new effort of promotion of our historical tradition.

I would like to begin with the Chairman of the Board of Directors Lieutenant General (ret.) Konstantinos Karamesinis.

The Members of the Board of Directors, prominent scientists and donors to the Armed Forces.

Honorary Rear Admiral Mr Laskaridis, honorary Brigadier Generals Mr Mytilineos, Mr Chamaz, Mr Velentzas, Mr Stathis Potamitis, honorary Commodore Mr Angelakos.

They have time and again demonstrated their interest in the preservation of our National legacy.

They are proven fellow travellers of the Ministry of National Defence in the effort of reinforcing and showcasing the task of the Armed Forces past and present.

I would also like to warmly thank the Museum staff. It is certain that, without them, all effort would be in vain. They are decisively contributing towards the War Museum's entrance into Modernity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In a few days the 1^stphase of the renovation of the Architectural Monstrosity of what was heretofore the building of the Ministry of National Defence will be completed.

With this opportunity, I would like to state that we have already secured the continuation of the renovation out of private donations. Shortly before, Piraeus Bank announced, through its CEO, Mr Megalos, that it is offering the sum of 10 million euros to the ministry of National Defence, in order to continue the renovation.

Thus, freed from the Ministry's cares, we may, alongside the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors, create the New Era of the War museum.

For we wish to make the museum a point of reference, not only of Greek military history, but of the capital city, Athens, with millions of foreign visitors.

A modern building, therefore, a modern museum, worthy of the historical memory of a great nation. The Hellenic Nation.

Thank you very much".