The Balkan Wars took place in the Balkan Peninsula in 1912 and 1913, due to the emergence of nation-states on European territories, formerly parts of the Ottoman Empire, during the second half of the 19th century. Following Balkan War II (1913), which lasted less than two months and involved a series of battles, negotiations, territory invasions and a Treaty ratifying the new boundary lines, Greece emerged having gained large parts of the regions of Epirus and Macedonia, including the city of Thessaloniki.

Moreover, Greece anexed Crete and the islands of the northeastern Aegean. The Balkan wars are considered a pivotal chapter in the history of Greek nation building, due to the victorious territorial annexations which led to the country’s expansion.

Events which run through October include photo and painting exhibitions, a reenactment of Thessaloniki’s liberation, lectures, air shows and a children’s essay contest. In addition, the historical events come alive through a press exhibition featuring newspaper covers, books and related editions of the time at the Secretariat General for Press and Communication in Athens. [See Photo Gallery]