Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and Athens City Councillor for Social Welfare Tonia Kanellopoulou today inaugurated a new Friendship Club in Koukaki (26-28 Drakou St), fulfilling a Municipal Authority pledge and longstanding demand of local residents.

The establishment of the Friendship Club means that Senior Citizens in the Koukaki locality now have yet another venue at which they can seek human warmth, social support, communication with individuals of a similar age, information and entertainment. After the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Kaklamanis noted:

"I did not expect that a project such as this would bring so much joy to all residents of this locality. I am pleased that yet another election pledge of ours has become a reality. Ahead of the elections, we had said ‘we have little to say, but much to do'. This Friendship Club, which opens its doors today, was one of the many of the things we had promised. I take this opportunity to inform you that we will launch a new Friendship Club in Kypseli in coming days and another three by summer, in Metaxourgio, Kolokynthous and Pagrati".

Addressing local residents, who attended the launch ceremony, Nikitas Kaklamanis said:
"I would like to thank all of you because you, as a neighbourhood, almost never came to me, in my three years as Mayor, to discuss individual problems. You only came to me to discuss problems in your neighbourhood, particularly concerning the Friendship Club. And, thanks to your support, we were able to overcome all of the difficulties, remove the legal shackles that existed and today, with the blessings of the Church and your presence, we open the door so you can enjoy this hospitable location. May God keep you in good health and feel free to make this your second home".

For her part, Athens City Councillor for Social Welfare Tonia Kanellopoulou thanked all those who contributed to the creation of the Friendship Club for Senior Citizens, "and to making a longstanding dream of local residents a reality".

She concluded by saying that the Municipal Authority, led by Mayor Kaklamanis, has managed to achieve something unique in his four-year term. It has created six new Friendship Clubs, bringing the total to 26 and, therefore, demonstrates its special interest in Senior Citizens.