Mid-November is a strange time in Greece, especially in Athens. Especially if one is living close to Exarchia and anarcho-leftist groups of Greek society. Between 14 and 18th of November everything and everyone is focused on the November 17th anniversary. This is perhaps the most important Greek political anniversary: symbolical date of the “beginning of the end” of the junta (aka Regime of the Colonels) rulings in Greece. Officially dated 1967-74, it was a culmination of fascist domination period in Greece that started in 1949 at the end of Greek civil war, won by the royalist government. Desperate to keep Greece in the Western Bloc, USA and Great Britain not only allowed it, but provided material help to the fascists, effectively pushing Greece into 25 years of military and police terror and dictatorship.
17th of November 1973 is widely considered a symbolic end of that era. With massive demonstrations known as Athens Polytechnic Uprising, the social resistance grew strong enough to bring the end to the regime (officially: 24 of July 1974).
Ever since, every November was a remembrance day for the Greeks. Of course, fascists had not many reasons to celebrate it (although this year they found a way to mark their presence on Chios). Our leftist and anarchist friends however, as every year, started occupation of the campus few days before the historical date.
Both the fascists from Golden Dawn party and the police (where the amount of fascist movement supporters is extremely high) were more than keen to play their part in a spontaneous re-enactment. The only missing part was the tank, that broke the University gate in 1973 (currently safely stored in a closed military museum)
Two days ago our neighborhood was a ghost-village, indeed. Most of the population was either in Exarchia or near Syntaghma, fighting, demonstrating and chanting. Keeping the post, we stayed at home, cooking soup for them and chatting with the older comrades, who had their share of demos (including 1973) already.
