The Epirotic organisations of Melbourne will commemorate the 101st anniversary of the liberation of Ioannina and the 100th anniversary of the declaration of the autonomy of Northern Epirus, with a thanksgiving service at Axion Esti Monastery in Northcote on Sunday. The liberation of Ioannina, a multicultural city with a large Jewish and Muslim population, was the first major Greek success of the Balkan War.
It is worth noting that the Greek army proceeded to liberate the whole of Northern Epirus where Greek populations were residing, entering its capital Argyrokastro on 3 March 1913, but geostrategic considerations at the time limited its endeavours.
The liberation of Ioannina and all of Epirus on 21 February 1913 is commemorated with great ceremony in Greece and abroad, including Australia, every year.
Epirotes form one of the oldest Greek migrant groups in Australia, with early records attesting their presence in this country since 1910. Most of the early Epirotes arrived here from Northern Epirus, forming their own distinct sub-group, while a large number of Epirotes from the rest of Epirus arrived in Melbourne and Sydney after the Second World War. The history of the community is particularly well documented owing to the efforts of the late Petros Petranis, who was the author of the book The Epirotes of Australia, published by LaTrobe University, in 2004.
