In Florina, the Greeks of Northern Epirus found a hospitable place to settle as they chose to come to their motherland and not remain in their ancestral lands that had been included in the state of Albania. The residents of Florina had for many years maintained ties, commercial, friendly and kinship, with residents of neighboring Korçë and the surrounding area.
Despite the fact that the Greek Army liberated Korçë and the surrounding area during the Balkan Wars, international treaties ceded these territories to the Albanian state. This concession provoked the reaction of the Greek populations of Northern Epirus, resulting in the proclamation of the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus on February 17, 1914, as we mention in another column.
However, events developed negatively for Hellenism. The borders were formed according to international treaties. Many families from Northern Epirus settled in Florina and founded one of the oldest active associations in our city, the name "Northern Epirus Association of Florina and Surroundings" and the year of foundation in 1921.
Among them is the family of Pantelis Elias Afezolis.
Pantelis Afezolis actively participated in the Northern Epirus Struggle and his struggle was honored by the Greek State to be recognized as a fighter of the Northern Epirus Struggle and even in the category of Third Class Military Leaders by decision of the (then) Deputy Minister of National Defense published in the Government Gazette, No. 28/15-02-1963.
The late Pantelis Il. Afezolis was active in our city and served for many years as president of the Northern Epirus Association as well as the Macedonian Fighters Association of Florina.
Newspaper “Voice of Florina” issue 2908
Πάντα υπήρχαν δεσμοί αίματος κι ιστορίας! Συγκινητική η επιλογή να ερθουν στην πατρίδα.