On 15.3.2024, the US Ambassador Mr. George Tsounis visited Trikala and met with the Mayor Mr. Nikos Sakka. As part of the visit, the US ambassador toured the city and visited the Holocaust Memorial, as well as the renovated Synagogue.
The president of the Israelite Community of Trikala, Mr. Iakovos Venouziou and members of the Community received and welcomed Mr. Tsounis to the Synagogue and informed him about its history, as well as about its renovation.
Mr. Tsounis wrote his impressions in the visitors' book of the Synagogue and promised to visit I.K. again. Trikala.
Mr. Tsounis and Mr. Venouziou exchanged commemorative gifts and the president of the Trikala Community wished the ambassador every success in his work.
Regarding the visit to the Synagogue of Trikala, the US ambassador made a relevant statement post on X: "I am very grateful to have met with the leadership of the Israeli Community of Trikala. Its continued presence and contribution to the city's cultural mosaic is vital. Debates on heritage preservation and mutual respect highlight the importance of diversity, religious freedom and historical memory."
After the Holocaust Remembrance Day events on January 21 and 24, 2024, Trikala Synagogue was visited by Trikala Primary and Secondary Schools. Specifically: on 30/1/2024 the 33rd Primary School, on 2/2/2024 the 4th High School of Trikala and on 15/2/2024 the 3rd High School of Trikala accompanied by teachers.
The reception was given by the President Mr. Iakov Venouziou and the members of the Board of Directors. who guided the students around the Synagogue making a historical reference to the Israeli Community and answering the questions of the students and teachers.
The Directorate of Secondary Education of Trikala participated in the two-day event for Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024, coordinated by the Region of Thessaly - Trikala Regional Unit and the Israeli Community of Trikala, which began on Sunday, January 21 and ended on Wednesday 24.1.2024 with a riveting speech by Nikolaos Tzafleris, professor, historian, lecturer at the University of Thessaly, on the topic: "The reconstruction of the Jewish Communities after the Holocaust".
The speech was followed by an excellent musical program by the ensemble of modern music and the choir ensemble of the Music School of Trikala.
The event was welcomed by: Dr. Alexandros Kapaniaris Director of Secondary Education of Trikala, Michalis Lappas Deputy Mayor of Culture of the Municipality of Trikkaia, Iakovos Venouziou President of the Israeli Community of Trikala and Georgia Koloveloni Director of Trikala Music School.
SOURCE: TrikalaOla, 24.01.2024
With due respect and due order he was honored today 21.1.2024 (and) in Trikala the National Day of Remembrance of the Greek Jewish Martyrs Heroes Victims of the Holocaust.
In particular, under the auspices of the Region of Thessaly - Trikala Regional Unit, the following events were successfully organized:
At 11 in the morning a Memorial Mass was held by the Most Wise Rabbi of Larissa, Mr. Ilias Sabetai, and a wreath was laid at the Holocaust Memorial (crossroads of 28th of October and Plutonos, pedestrian street).
Among others, the Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, the Deputy Governor of Trikala, Ms. Chryssa Didi, the rural Israeli Community led by the President, Mr. Iakov Venouziou, as well as representatives of other communities from various parts of Greece, political, self-governing and military authorities were present. , institutions and ordinary citizens.
A 1-minute silence was observed, while the National Anthem was played by the Municipal Philharmonic.
Followed (11:30 am) Event Honoring the Heroes at the Holy Synagogue (27-29 Athanasiou Diakou Street), which included the lighting of candles in memory of the Martyrs, greetings, main speech (12 pm) with the theme: "The Holocaust of the Jews in the course of time" and performance of choral songs by the Municipal Choir of the Municipality of Trikkaia (12:30 p.m.).
SOURCE: TrikalaOla, 21.01.2024
The Mayor of Trikkai, Nikos Sakkas, had a formal meeting with the president of the Israeli Community of Trikala, Mr. Iakov Venouziou. The Mayor welcomed the president on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in his office, discussing in an excellent atmosphere issues of common interest and cooperation, which continues.
Mr. Venouziou presented Mr. Sakka with two albums, one for the opening of the renovated Synagogue in Trikala almost a year ago (with the maximum contribution of the Municipality of Trikkaia) and the publication of the KISE for the 30 years of diplomatic relations between Greece and Israel.