Athens Polytechnic Uprising: 50th anniversary marked in NSW and Victoria

·

Greek communities in New South Wales and Victoria gathered at events over the weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising.

New South Wales:

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), the Polytechnic Commemoration Committee and the Combined Universities Greek Association (CUGA) held a commemoration event at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba, Sydney on Sunday, November 19.

Athens polytechnic uprising
All photos copyright The Greek Herald.

The event was attended by a number of officials guests including the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; Georges River Councillor Nick Katris; the President of the GOCNSW, Harry Danalis; and the newly appointed Multicultural NSW Advisory Board Member, George Vardas; as well as other representatives of Greek communities across Sydney and many university students.

Athens polytechnic uprising

The commemoration began with emcee Dimitri Kallos calling for a minute silence followed by the national anthems of Greece and Australia. A wreath laying ceremony was then held at a special cenotaph set up at the front of the stage.

Athens polytechnic uprising
Athens polytechnic uprising
Athens polytechnic uprising
Athens polytechnic uprising

Afterwards, a video titled ‘One week diary of the Polytechnic – by Yiannis Ritsos’ was displayed and this was followed by two speeches from the Consul General and Mr Danalis.

Athens polytechnic uprising

Mr Danalis gave a brief history of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising in his speech. The Consul General said that even though he wasn’t around to witness the uprising, it was important for future generations to be aware of it as it marked an important time in the history of Greece.

Throughout the event, there were also a number of poem recitals by students from the afternoon and Saturday schools of the GOCNSW at Clemton Park, as well as UTS Hellenic.

Athens polytechnic uprising

Victoria:

The Commemorative Committee for the Polytechnic Uprising organised a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in Melbourne, Victoria to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the uprising and those who lost their lives.

Present at the event were a number of officials, including the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis.

melbourne polytechnic uprising
melbourne polytechnic uprising

On Sunday, the Polytechnic Memory Committee also organised a commemoration event at the Victorian Trades Hall in Carlton. The event attracted numerous Greeks of all ages, including the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis.

A highlight of the event was a performance by the Alphington Grammar School’s Youth Orchestra, who sang songs by Mikis Theodorakis.

As part of the memorial and tribute actions to the student uprising of 1973, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Language & Culture Schools (GCM Schools), also published a special edition book titled “Polytechnic 50 years later.”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Historic ties remembered as Greece’s Evzones march in Adelaide’s ANZAC Day parade

During a Dawn Service at West Torrens on Friday, April 25, the Evzones stood guard alongside Australian army battalion in remembrance.

Greek glamour meets Aussie pop: Inside the colourful universe of Stavroula Adameitis

Adelaide-born designer Stavroula Adameitis is a creator of bespoke pieces that she describes as ‘wearable art.’

Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

Michel Pablo was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today.

Lawyer Greg Masselos warns NSW workers’ comp changes could devastate frontline workers

Greg Masselos has warned that proposed changes by the NSW government to raise the threshold for claims could have devastating consequences.

Niki Louca shares how to make Focaccia Bread

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for pita bread with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram.

You May Also Like

The Bank of Sydney Semaphore Greek Festival is returning to South Australia

Preparations have started for the Bank of Sydney 42nd Semaphore Greek Festival that will take place at Semaphore Beach, South Australia.

Qantas found guilty of unlawfully standing down COVID-concerned worker Theo Seremetidis

Qantas has been found guilty of illegally firing Theo Seremetidis over his health and safety concerns at the beginning of the pandemic.

Film documenting 100 years since establishment of Panathinaikos BC to premiere on June 27

A film which shares the story of 100 years since the establishment of Panathinaikos BC will be available to all Greeks on June 27 online.