On Wednesday, 06 November 2024 Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis attended as representative of the President of the Hellenic Government, the event for the 80 years anniversary since the execution of heroine Lela Karagianni – Bouboulina by Nazi occupational troops, which took place in the War Museum and was facilitated by the Ministry of National Defence.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated:

“I feel particularly moved and extremely proud that I have the opportunity to attend today’s emblematic event as representative of Mr. Prime Minister. The event, which is organised by the “Lela Karagianni – Bouboulina 1941 – 1944” association, for the anniversary of 80 years since the execution of the heroine.

A lot is known and has been said about Lela Karagianni. None of those things is enough to describe her greatness, however. Lela Karagianni was a descendant of the heroic lineage of Laskarina Bouboulina and in her brief but very active life before Nazi occupation and the commencement of the resistance, she achieved to build an excellent and big family, become a successful businesswoman, provide great humanitarian aid, and volunteer for the Red Cross.

All the aforementioned achievements would be enough for most people. Nevertheless, Lela Karagianni was no ordinary person.

With the commencement of the dark period of Nazi Occupation, driven by her love for country and her altruistic sentiments, she created first, along with members of her family and a small group of confidants the so called “Aorati Stratia” (Invisible Army) An organisation, which one month later would evolve into the “Bouboulina” organisation, in honour of her ancestor and heroine of the 1821 Revolution.

Its main aim was the location, care, hiding, and provision of safe passage for Ally Officers and Soldiers, who had not found a way to escape the country. It is worth pointing out, that a big part of the heavy costs required for that, was paid for by Lela Karagianni herself. Finally, the organisation managed to create a very wide network of informants and saboteurs, thus achieving their contribution to the resistance. A work, which included the disclosure of information to the Ally Headquarters, sabotages against the enemy, the protection of members of the community, such as the persecuted Jewish community, but also the maintenance and boost of morale of Greeks In the meantime, her actions managed to become a symbol of national unity, since she cooperated with all resistance groups, in a time when the first signs of rivalry were already evident.

Even during her arrest, torture, and execution, just 34 days before the Liberation, Lela Karagianni never stopped being a beacon of patriotic light, while, simultaneously, being a model woman and mother, since even when she was being threatened that her children would be executed, she replied the following like a modern Spartan warrior: “You ask of a Greek mother to betray her partners and Country by threatening to kill her children. NO then! You have to learn that my children belong to Greece…”

Her example reminds us that we must honour all Greek women of the past and the present, who have the multi-faceted role of being mothers, wives, working people, businesswomen, scientists, and so much more, and they manage to ride out the storm successfully.

At this point, I would like to make a particular mention to the granddaughter of the heroine, Ms. Lela Vyronos Karagianni, who continues to promote her grandmother’s National contribution tirelessly, with love and respect, offering valuable services to future generations.

Ms. Lela Vyronos Karagiani, your integrity and dedication to tradition and values, make you an example for the younger generations. We would like to thank you for all you have offered and continue offering.

Finally, I would like to underline that, even if the State has already honoured and will keep on honouring the honorary Brigadier General, Lela Karagianni, we have the ethical duty to project and utilise her ethical example even more, by making her example known and instilling future generations with values such as the love for Country, self-denial, and altruism.

On behalf of the Hellenic Government, I would like to pay tribute to the heroine Lela Karagianni for her sacrifice, and thank from the bottom of my heart her granddaughter, who is also named Lela Karagianni, for the promotion of her work”.