Sydney university students gather to commemorate the Athens Polytechnic Uprising

The Combined Universities Greek Association (CUGA) commemorated the 51st anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising at the University of Sydney on Friday, November 15. 

The four Greek student societies of Sydney’s major universities (Sydney University Greek Society, Hellenic Society of UNSW, UTS Hellenic, and Macquarie University Greek Association) hosted the event to remember the sacrifices of those who fell at the hands of the military junta in 1973. 

Throughout the evening, CUGA representatives highlighted the importance of commemorating such an event.

An address was made by Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), as well as the evening’s keynote speaker Associate Professor Anthony Dracopoulos from the University of Sydney’s Department of Modern Greek Studies. 

Associate Professor Dracopoulos’ talk highlighted not only the historical context leading up to the Uprising but also its relevance to Australian citizens today. 

The evening was hosted by emcees Angelique Aifantis, President of the Sydney University Greek Society along with Maria Kakali, Ambassador of the Greek Community Language as well as Secretary of the Sydney University Greek Society. 

Anargyros Kallos, Modern Greek Department Liaison of the Sydney University Greek Society, read out the chronicle of the events that took place in the days leading up to 17 November 1973. 

Five poems were also read out by students:

• “1050 Χιλιόκυκλοι” by Kostoula Mitropoulos – Denis Antipas, General Committee Member of SUGS.
•  “The Body and the Blood” by Yiannis Ritsos – Elle Tamvakolos, President of Hellenic Society of UNSW.
•  “Η Γενιά του Πολυτεχνείου” – Basil Georgas, President of UTS Hellenic Society.
• “16 και 17 Νοεμβρίου 1973” by Yiannis Ritsos – Eleanna Gatsi, First Year Representative of SUGS.
•  “Γλυκέ μου εσύ δε χάθηκες” by Yiannis Ritsos – Maria Kakali, Secretary of SUGS.

The commemoration was attended by many of Sydney’s Greek Australian community including, but not limited to, member of the Board of Directors at GOCNSW, Andreas Smyrnis, and Board Member of the Greek Australian Society, George Mpliokas.