3 May 2025 will remain etched in the collective memory of Himara and all of Northern Epirus as a day of deep insult and bitter disappointment — a day that underscored the daily mockery and injustice we endure. Northern Epirus Youth: Himarians reject Mastoras at Rama’s Himara rally.
Christos Mastoras — our own from Dropoli, who once raised his voice for Northern Epirot Hellenism and openly condemned Edi Rama for the killing of Konstantinos Katsifas — appeared on Rama’s stage at an event organised by the Municipality of Himara. Dubbed “cultural” by organisers and “charitable” by Mastoras, the event was in reality a thinly veiled political rally.
As part of his election campaign, Prime Minister Rama arrived in Himara following a formal event in Saranda. On stage alongside Mastoras were Rama-appointed Mayor Vangelis Tavos, Tourism Minister Mirela Kumbaro, and several Socialist Party MPs and candidates. Rama addressed the crowd, implicitly calling on Himarians to support his party in the upcoming elections.
But the crowd told its own story. Organisers expected thousands; fewer than 600 attended — a clear message of rejection from a community not fooled by theatrics and token gestures.
Let us not forget: during his mayoral campaign, Tavos stood silent when fellow Socialist members, in blatantly anti-Greek rhetoric, urged voters to support him “so the Greek language would no longer be heard in Chimara.” Now, in the lead-up to parliamentary elections, the same political circles are exploiting the Greek language, using Mastoras as a tool to win favour. But the people of Himara remember. They see through it. And on 11 May, they will respond — at the ballot box.
The comparison to last year is stark. On 12 May 2024, in Athens, Rama attempted a similar spectacle by inviting singer Eleni Foureira, who declined, choosing to preserve her dignity. In contrast, Christos Mastoras — once seen as one of our own — stood willingly on Rama’s stage, ignoring the signal he sent to his compatriots and supporters.
We, the Northern Epirots, know that songs and hollow displays of charity do not build roads, schools, or justice. No matter how much Rama floods public squares with music and promises, no matter how much money entices artists, the memory of this place does not forget.
Perhaps Mastoras was misled. Perhaps the true purpose of the event was hidden from him. But even now, we expect him to speak out — to publicly distance himself from the Rama regime and its puppets. To show that his voice still belongs to us — the marginalised of this land, not to the merchants of power.
Konstantinos Katsifas’ mother, Vasiliki Katsifa, has expressed profound disappointment and anger over Christos Mastoras’ recent participation in a concert in Himara attended by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. In an interview with the Greek newspaper Espresso, she stated:
“Shame on him. You can write that Katsifas’ mother says ‘shame on him’. That’s what you should tell Christos Mastoras about the concert he held in Himara in the presence of Rama.” NewsIT
She further described Mastoras’ actions as “unacceptable for the minority, for our land, for our homeland, for our nation.” Ελεύθερος Τύπος
This reaction stems from the belief that Mastoras’ performance at an event associated with the Albanian government was a betrayal of the Greek minority in Northern Epirus, especially considering his previous support for their rights and his condemnation of the killing of her son.
Konstantinos Katsifas, a member of the Greek minority in Albania, was fatally shot by Albanian police in 2018 during a confrontation in the village of Bularat. His death sparked significant controversy and strained relations between Greece and Albania.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the Greek community in Northern Epirus, and Mastoras’ recent actions have reopened wounds for many who continue to seek justice and recognition for Katsifas’ death.
