“Thermopylae is a point of reference not only for Greek history, but for all humanity…”

The host Mayor of Lamia, Panourgias Papaioannou, referred in his greeting at the Thermopylae Forum 2026 to the values represented by the historic site of Thermopylae.

Values that should serve as a compass for our society in facing the challenges of the modern era, with faith, freedom and courage in the face of the impossible.

“Thermopylae is a point of reference not only for Greek history, but for all humanity, because at the Battle of Thermopylae it was not merely two armies that clashed; the weight of freedom was measured against servile submission,” he noted.

This, as he said, is also the aim of this year’s Forum: “to connect history with contemporary reflection, and to explore how history can serve as a means of promoting our region.”

However, addressing Regional Governor Fanis Spanos as well, he did not fail to speak about the need to establish a University of Central Greece, stressing that the region has lost a great deal and will no longer back down, recalling Leonidas’ historic phrase “Molon Labe”!

Watch the greeting by the Mayor of Lamia, Panourgias Papaioannou: