In the opening remarks, the Greek Ambassador to Albania, Philippiddou, thanked all the attendees pointing out that this special day coincides with important holidays in Greece.

“We celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, the 50th anniversary of the reestablishment of Greek-Albanian diplomatic relations, but also commemorate the 40th anniversary of Greece’s membership in the European Union. I am glad that in the framework of these celebrations we inaugurate this space, this wonderful park, ” stressed Philippiddou.

Tirana mayor, Erion Veliaj, started off with a legend about mermaids and nymphs in Albanian. This legend can be encapsulated in one sentence, he said, neither man nor the lake or nature can make it without each other.

“I started off with this legend in which Homer also called them the ladies of the lake, because these legends unite our two countries. I would also like to thank the mayor of Athens, Bakoyannis. I want to say that this plaza of friendship between the two countries is a recreation park that will serve sports, art and everything else. This place is like an ornament for the relations between our countries, because you have stood by us even in difficult times. It is also a very healthy place created for the citizens of Tirana. The pandemic period was a time like no other for us, but it was also a moment when this park started to be built, which teaches us to re-rise in difficult moments. This plaza, or Agora as it is called in Greek is a centre of communication, economy, society and is the heart of the city. Agora is also the place where the principle of democracy came to life, the essence of Western thought and exactly with this sense of freedom in mind this park was built, ” Veliaj concluded.

The mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis, in his remarks, said that he was happy to attend the opening of Hellenic plaza in Farka alongside Veliaj, whose dynamics always amazes us.

“There is no better way to mark the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution than celebrating together. The things that unite us are more than the things that divide us, and this wonderful park in this rare place is the best proof. This park will serve for entertainment, sports, culture and above all will be a human meeting point. ”

The two mayors also unveiled the plaque of the park inauguration.
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