Today, we’re taking a moment to look back at a truly pivotal, albeit heartbreaking, moment in our city’s history: the Great Fire of 1917. One hundred years ago, on August 18th, 1917, a small spark ignited a massive blaze that reshaped our beloved city forever.

This year, Thessaloniki came together in a big way to commemorate this centennial, with a fantastic multi-faceted event called “The Spark Became a Fire” (Έγινε η Σπίθα Πυρκαγιά). Hundreds of locals flocked to Commercial Square (Plateia Emporiou) on Edessis Street, right in the heart of the city, to be part of this special tribute.

Organized by Parallaxi, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, and TIF-Helexpo, this wasn’t just a simple remembrance. It was a huge collaboration involving 30 organizations and groups, 200 artists, and 250 volunteers! Talk about community spirit!

The day kicked off in the Upper Town (Ano Poli), at Mouschoundi Square – the very spot where the fire began in a humble refugee home. Down on Edessis Street (a true survivor, as this area was spared by the fire!), attendees were treated to an incredible array of activities:

• Music and theatrical performances
• Authentic historical films showing the city ablaze
• Art installations
• Painting workshops for kids, ensuring even our youngest residents understood the history.

The grand finale took place at 9 PM at the Thessaloniki Club building (63 Nikis Avenue), marking the exact spot where the fire finally stopped after its 32-hour rampage. Actors brought the harrowing journey of the fire to life through powerful narratives, interwoven with the visionary urban plan of Ernest Hébrard that would eventually rebuild our city.

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A Spark That Changed Everything

So, what exactly happened a century ago? The Great Fire of 1917 was a monumental, albeit accidental, event that profoundly altered Thessaloniki’s character. It started innocently enough on Saturday, August 18th, 1917, around 3 PM, in a humble refugee home at 3 Olympiados Street, in the Mevlane neighborhood. A tiny spark from a kitchen fire fell into a nearby straw storage, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Due to a lack of water and strong winds, the initial small fire quickly spiraled out of control. Over 32 hours, the blaze consumed a staggering 9,500 homes across an area of 1,000,000 square meters, leaving more than 70,000 people homeless. Imagine the devastation! Entire commercial districts, administrative services, entertainment venues, and crucial intellectual and religious institutions of all communities, along with their invaluable archives, were utterly destroyed.

Remarkably, despite the widespread destruction, there were minimal casualties, with only a few French soldiers reported as deceased. From the ashes, however, rose a new, modern Thessaloniki, meticulously planned and rebuilt – a testament to the city’s enduring resilience.

This anniversary reminds us of the strength and spirit of Thessaloniki and its people, always rising, always rebuilding, and always welcoming!