The President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, has been proclaimed an honorary citizen of Kavala.

On June 29, 2026, President Konstantinos Tasoulas was officially declared an honorary citizen of Kavala during a ceremony held at the iconic building of the Great Hall (Megalē Leschē). The event took place in the presence of local officials, including Mayor Thodoris Mouriadis and President of the Municipal Council Panagiotis Mamtzadelis, as well as representatives from various civic organizations. This honor marks a significant moment in the relationship between the president and the city of Kavala, underscoring his deep connection to its history and culture.

President Tasoulas delivered a speech highlighting the historical journey of Kavala, describing it as one of "resilience, transformation, and continuous rebirth." He emphasized how the city has managed to connect memory with creation, tradition with the future. In his address, he spoke about the modern face of Kavala, noting that the layers of memory in the city prevent forgetting and encourage dialogue between past, present, and future. He pointed out that the old city of the Virgin Mary, the castle, and the caravanserai serve as living testaments to the multicultural heritage of Kavala. Additionally, he mentioned the historic role of Kavala as a major commercial center linking Greece with the rest of the world, referencing the tobacco warehouses that still stand today.

The president also paid tribute to the spiritual radiance of Kavala, mentioning notable figures such as writers and artists who have been associated with the city. These include Georgios Cheimonas, Vasilis Vasilikos, Prodromos Markoglou, Dimitris Axiotis, Umberto Argiros, and Yannis Papaioannou. He noted that as a young man, he became familiar with Kavala through the novels of Vasilis Vasilikos. He stressed that individuals born or raised in Kavala who contributed to literature, art, and culture affirm the city's intellectual richness, which stems from its multicultural wealth.

President Tasoulas described contemporary Kavala as an open city, a crossroads of peoples and cultures, where the labor and creativity of its inhabitants translate into new opportunities for development. He highlighted the strategic position of the city and its potential for growth, emphasizing the importance of upgrading its ports, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, and developing a modern, environmentally sensitive, and sustainable tourism product. He specifically mentioned focusing on blue development in maritime and naval activities as part of this vision.

Earlier in the day, President Tasoulas visited the mayor’s office, where he was warmly welcomed by Mayor Mouriadis, who underscored the significance of the president's visit coinciding with the celebrations marking the 113th anniversary of Kavala's liberation and the commemoration of its patron saint, Apostle Paul. The ceremony for declaring President Tasoulas an honorary citizen of Kavala took place in the impressive hall of the Great Hall, a landmark building constructed in 1910 and serving as a symbol of the Greek community under Ottoman rule. Over its more than century-long operation, the Great Hall has hosted numerous prominent personalities from both Greece and abroad.

During the ceremony, Mayor Mouriadis presented President Tasoulas with a small sculpture by renowned Kavalian sculptor Kosta Karakitsos. The event was accompanied by music performed by award-winning Kavalian composer Thanasis Stoyiannidis, who played a piece titled “Elegy for a Heroic Soul” (a symphonic poem for solo piano, two soprano solos, baritone solo, choir, and orchestra).

Before the conclusion of the event, President Tasoulas received a small surprise from the president of the Panepirean Union of Kavala, who gifted him a bouquet of flowers. This gesture acknowledged his roots in Ioannina, adding a personal touch to the occasion.

Following the ceremony, President Tasoulas visited the ground floor of the Great Hall, where he toured an exhibition titled “Kavala: The Timeless Apple of Contention,” organized by the XX Armored Division. The exhibition featured documents and artifacts reflecting the city's long and complex history.

The event at the Great Hall marked a special moment for Kavala and the broader “Freedom 2026” celebrations. President Tasoulas connected the city's extensive historical journey with its current identity and the challenges of the new era, reinforcing his commitment to supporting Kavala's continued progress and prosperity. His remarks were met with appreciation and admiration from the attendees, highlighting the strong bond between the president and the people of Kavala.