German President’s Historic Visit to Kandanos and Continued Calls for Reparations
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a historic visit to Kandanos, a village on Crete, Greece, on Thursday, marking the first time a German head of state has visited the site of Nazi atrocities during World War II. The visit was a solemn occasion, as Steinmeier offered an apology for the Nazi occupation of Greece and the atrocities committed, particularly the razing of Kandanos in 1941.
Acknowledging the Atrocities
The village of Kandanos was destroyed by Nazi troops as retribution for the deaths of 25 German soldiers, who had been killed by Greek resistance fighters. Steinmeier addressed the survivors and their families, acknowledging the “brutality, cruelty, and inhumanity” inflicted upon the people of the village during the occupation.
“I ask forgiveness from you, the survivors and descendants, for the grave crimes that Germans committed here,” Steinmeier said. He described Kandanos as a “place of German shame,” underscoring the lingering impact of the Nazi regime’s actions on the local population.
The Survivors’ Pain
During his visit, Steinmeier met with survivors, including 97-year-old Despina Fiotaki, who tragically lost family members and friends during the massacre. Fiotaki recalled the “dark days” and the enduring pain caused by the Nazi attacks. Steinmeier expressed his deep remorse for the destruction caused by the German forces and honored the resilience of the village’s people.
Reparations and Continued Calls for Justice
Steinmeier’s visit also reignited Greece’s longstanding demand for reparations for the crimes committed by Nazi forces during the occupation, particularly the forced loans extracted from Greece’s central bank—loans that were never repaid. The reparations issue remains a contentious topic between Germany and Greece.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that the demand for reparations remains “very much alive,” signaling Greece’s continued pursuit of justice for the atrocities committed. However, Steinmeier reaffirmed Germany’s stance that the issue is “closed under international law,” though he reiterated Germany’s commitment to acknowledging its historic responsibility for the actions of the Nazi regime.
The Importance of Remembering
In a final reflection at the end of his visit, Steinmeier stressed the significance of remembering the horrors of war in order to prevent them from repeating in the future. “We must keep the memory of these events alive,” he declared, honoring the resilience of Kandanos and emphasizing Germany’s duty to uphold justice and peace moving forward.
Conclusion
While Steinmeier’s visit was a powerful gesture of reconciliation, the unresolved issue of reparations continues to strain relations between Germany and Greece. The call for justice and the acknowledgment of past crimes remains a complex issue in the context of global history, and the ongoing discussions reflect the importance of confronting painful legacies to foster healing and mutual understanding.
