A major internationalist event was held at the headquarters of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in Athens to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.
The gathering was organized under the central theme: “Relevant messages of the October Revolution in our contemporary struggle for socialism and in conditions of imperialist war,” bringing together a large audience and representatives of 25 communist and workers’ parties from across the world.
The event opened with an artistic program featuring revolutionary and anti-fascist songs from various countries and periods, setting a resolute and internationalist atmosphere and highlighting the cultural heritage of the workers’ movement in song and struggle.
In his keynote address, KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas stressed that the October Revolution decisively changed the course of humanity by opening the era of the overthrow of capitalism and the construction of socialist-communist society. He emphasized that the ideas born in 1917 remain alive and continue to inspire millions today, despite the adverse balance of forces and the historical setbacks that followed the counterrevolution.
Koutsoumbas underlined the fundamental contradiction of the present epoch: the unprecedented development of technology and productive capacity stands in stark contrast to capitalism’s inability to satisfy essential human needs. He pointed to recurring crises, imperialist wars, refugee flows and the intensification of labor exploitation — including the recently adopted 13-hour workday in Greece within the framework of European Union directives — as clear indications that capitalism remains unchanged in its essence: a system of exploitation based on profit.
Turning to geopolitical developments, the General Secretary noted that today’s world is increasingly shaped by acute imperialist competition over markets, energy resources, transport routes and geostrategic control. In this environment, he warned, the transformation of Greece into a transport, energy and military hub under the supervision of the United States and NATO places the people “in the eye of the storm,” no matter the misleading narratives of “security” and “prosperity” that accompany these developments and ultimately benefit only monopoly interests.
Addressing the responsibilities of the international communist movement, Koutsoumbas stressed that what is needed today is strategic clarity — unwavering commitment to Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism. He reaffirmed that the necessity of socialist revolution does not depend on the temporary balance of forces and that no component of the bourgeoisie can serve as a progressive ally under formulas such as “democratizing capitalism” or “multipolar world order.” He also warned that pacifist appeals detached from a class viewpoint risk disorienting the working class and pushing it toward positions aligned with imperialist blocs.
In his keynote address, KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas stressed that the October Revolution decisively changed the course of humanity by opening the era of the overthrow of capitalism and the construction of socialist-communist society. He emphasized that the ideas born in 1917 remain alive and continue to inspire millions today, despite the adverse balance of forces and the historical setbacks that followed the counterrevolution.
Koutsoumbas underlined the fundamental contradiction of the present epoch: the unprecedented development of technology and productive capacity stands in stark contrast to capitalism’s inability to satisfy essential human needs. He pointed to recurring crises, imperialist wars, refugee flows and the intensification of labor exploitation — including the recently adopted 13-hour workday in Greece within the framework of European Union directives — as clear indications that capitalism remains unchanged in its essence: a system of exploitation based on profit.
Turning to geopolitical developments, the General Secretary noted that today’s world is increasingly shaped by acute imperialist competition over markets, energy resources, transport routes and geostrategic control. In this environment, he warned, the transformation of Greece into a transport, energy and military hub under the supervision of the United States and NATO places the people “in the eye of the storm,” no matter the misleading narratives of “security” and “prosperity” that accompany these developments and ultimately benefit only monopoly interests.
Addressing the responsibilities of the international communist movement, Koutsoumbas stressed that what is needed today is strategic clarity — unwavering commitment to Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism. He reaffirmed that the necessity of socialist revolution does not depend on the temporary balance of forces and that no component of the bourgeoisie can serve as a progressive ally under formulas such as “democratizing capitalism” or “multipolar world order.” He also warned that pacifist appeals detached from a class viewpoint risk disorienting the working class and pushing it toward positions aligned with imperialist blocs.
Koutsoumbas concluded with a powerful message of determination and continuity: “The era of the overthrow of capitalism opened with the October ’17 Revolution.” The KKE, he stressed, will not yield until this historical task is completed. In this context, he pointed to the upcoming 22nd Congress of the Party, to be held on 29–31 January 2026 under the slogan “KKE strong, steadfast in every test, ready at history’s call for socialism,” as a major milestone in preparing for the struggles ahead.
The event — marked by mass participation, international solidarity and political clarity — projected an image of a party deeply rooted in the history of the workers’ movement while fully oriented toward present battles and future victories. It reaffirmed that socialism is not an abstract ideal or a distant prospect but the necessary answer to the crises, wars and exploitation inherent in the capitalist system.
For the KKE, the lessons of October ’17 remain alive: the working class must rely on its own strength, its own strategy and the international solidarity of peoples. The message of the event was crystal clear — the struggle continues until capitalism is overcome and a new socialist world is built.
The event — marked by mass participation, international solidarity and political clarity — projected an image of a party deeply rooted in the history of the workers’ movement while fully oriented toward present battles and future victories. It reaffirmed that socialism is not an abstract ideal or a distant prospect but the necessary answer to the crises, wars and exploitation inherent in the capitalist system.
For the KKE, the lessons of October ’17 remain alive: the working class must rely on its own strength, its own strategy and the international solidarity of peoples. The message of the event was crystal clear — the struggle continues until capitalism is overcome and a new socialist world is built.
