DPI Fall Exhibition Opening BREAD • EDUCATION • FREEDOM - 50 YEARS LATER
Polytechnic 11-16-1973
BREAD • EDUCATION • FREEDOM - 50 YEARS LATER
ΨΩΜΙ • ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ • ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ - 50 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΜΕΤΑ
(ATHENS POLYTECHNIC UPRISING)
On Wednesday, November 14th, 1973, students of the National Polytechnic University of Athens and surrounding Universities went on strike and began occupying the Polytechnic in opposition to the military junta that had been plaguing the country since 1967. Students had grown tired of the systematic imprisoning, torturing, exiling and killing tactics that the Junta implemented against any and all of its opponents. Their demands were simple: “BREAD • EDUCATION • FREEDOM”. By November 15th, the students had set up an independent radio station to transmit their communications with the outside world. The spirit of hope and change took over - temporary dorms, a cafeteria, a pharmacy, an ER, and convening rooms for meetings were created and fully staffed by the students themselves. As the uprising gained momentum and support from ordinary citizens and third parties such as the construction workers, farmers, public transit workers and high school students, the military junta needed to act. In the early hours of November 17th, 1973 while students sang and chanted slogans on the pillars and gates of the entrance of the Polytechnic, the Junta sent tanks crashing through the gates, while students scattered.
50 years later, these archival photos from photojournalist Vasilis Karageorgos (Βασίλης Καραγεώργος) continue to bravely capture the joy, spirit and horror that transpired those three days. The events of the Polytechnic in 1973 are still burning embers under the ashes of time; whenever stoked, they catch fire. Each image illuminates our consciousness, waking us up to the stark realities of today.
Like with every generation, when attempts are being made to shrink and distort the voices of the oppressed, it is important to remember that the spirit of the Polytechnic still rings true. Let us never forget the words of the great Greek poet Andreas Kalvos:
Freedom requires virtue and courage
Θέλει αρετήν και τόλμην η ελευθερία
Special thanks to our partners Athanasios Alatas, Dimitrios Alatas, Nikos Pilos, and Liana Theodoratou.
