Honourable senators, on December 13, 1943, a genocidal massacre was carried out in the mountainous Greek town of Kalavryta. In a brutal reprisal to the killing of several German soldiers by Greek partisans, the Nazis rounded up all the residents at the Kalavryta elementary school. Men and boys over the age of 14 were separated from the women and other children, taken to a nearby hill and executed in cold blood. Approximately 700 men and boys were brutally murdered in this horrendous act of violence.

The women and remaining children were locked inside the school, which was then set on fire as the Germans burned the entire village. Miraculously, the brave women of Kalavryta broke the school doors, only to discover that their husbands, brothers and sons were lying lifeless, and their beautiful village, once full of life, was in ashes.

The atrocity devastated the town of Kalavryta leaving a lasting scar on the community and serving as a grim reminder of the brutality of war.

Today, we pay homage to their memory, preserving their stories in our collective consciousness, lest their suffering be forgotten, but also recounting this harrowing tale to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

Yet, among these tragedies, we find stories of resilience, bravery and unwavering human spirit. The survivors’ courage in rebuilding their lives and communities after such devastation teaches us the value of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

I had the honour and privilege to know one of the survivors of that dark day. Georgia Vagia was two days old on December 13, 1943. Her father was one of the men so brutally murdered. Her mother, Efthymia Vagia, not only survived but rebuilt her life, raised their children and lived long enough to see grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Efthymia Vagia was known as the last widow of Kalavryta. Her daughter Georgia came to Canada and became a Canadian citizen. She worked hard and raised her son so that he could have a better future and more opportunity than did she.

As we reflect on this painful history, let us reaffirm our commitment to peace, tolerance and understanding among all people. May the memory of the Kalavryta massacre remind us of the consequences of hatred and the imperative of fostering a world where such acts of violence have no place.

Let us stand together in remembrance, vowing to honour their sacrifices and determination. The echoes of history should always guide us toward a world where we stand tall for our values of freedom and democracy. Thank you, colleagues.