The villages of Imbros once again fill with Greek voices for a brief period every August, when Greeks who live far from the island return to their family homes. Church bells ring, and the celebration of August 15 takes on a special significance for the Greek community, as it is simultaneously an opportunity to return and reconnect with their place of origin.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday evening again responded directly to the latest crescendo of threats, saber-rattling and revanchist rhetoric aimed at the country by Turkish leadership and even opposition party leaders – ahead of what’s expected to be a hotly contested election in the neighboring country – saying that the landmark 1923 Lausanne Treaty will not be revised.

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday called on Turkey to fully respect the rights of the Greek minority of Imvros, Tenedos and Istanbul, while addressing an online ceremony for the cutting of the New Year cake of the Imvros residents' association. He underlined that this remains Turkey's international duty according to the Lausanne Treaty.