17th of November

Those of you who were doing an erasmus in Greece during the first semester, might have noticed that on November 17th, you didn't have to go to the University and there were some manifestations in the centre of Athens and in other cities all around Greece. You might wonder what this was all about, especially since the 17thof November is not a public holiday. Well, it is a students' holiday. Schools and Universities remain closed to honour the anniversary of the 17thof November 1973.

This was the date when there was a massive demonstration of popular opposition to the Dictatorship in Greece.

The revolt began on the 14thof November, when students occupied the National Technical University of Athens. This almost became a revolution against the regime and ended in the morning of the 17thof November, when a battle tank entered in the University. There was also a reinstatement of the relevant military laws prohibiting gatherings and circulation in Athens and Thessaloniki. Many students were killed on this day and we honour their memory by organizing manifestations and by remembering their revolt and self-sacrifice. This date is known as “the Polytechnic” because of the events in the University. It is falsely stated as a “celebration” and there is a phrase said during the manifestations which corrects this mistake. It says: “The Polytechnic was not a celebration. It was a rebellion and a fight.” The 17thof November defines who we are now and it is important for people who are in Greece on this date to know why and how it has affected us.