May 27 commemorates the assassination of peace activist Grigoris Lambrakis in Thessaloniki in 1963—a pivotal event that continues to resonate in Greece’s modern political life. Lambrakis’ commitment to peace served as the driving force behind the international anti-nuclear movement.
His assassination at the hands of right-wing thugs inspired writer Vassilis Vassilikos to write political novel “Z”. The title is derived from the Greek word Ζει (Zi) which means “[He] Lives!” and it exemplifies the spirit embodied by Lambrakis.
In 1969, the accomplished Greek French filmmaker Costa-Gavras brought this narrative to life with his internationally acclaimed “Z” which was nominated by the Academy Awards for both Best Picture and Best Foreign Language Film. The letter “Z” soon became universal graffiti in the streets of Athens, emerging as a symbol for peace and democracy. Sadly, most of the young peace activists today are unaware of the life and legacy of Lambrakis.
The doctor and athlete
Lambrakis was a physician, parliamentarian, and athlete. He was born in a a poor family in the village of Kerasitsa, and ascended to greatness as a champion athlete, and hold the Greek long jump record for 23 years (1936-1959). Lambrakis represented Greece in the men’s long jump and men’s triple jump events at the 1936 Summer Olympics, and actively fostered bonds between the Balkan people during often difficult times. His friendship with Turkish triple jump champion Tafic paid service to Lambrakis’ unwavering commitment to intercultural relations between Turkey and Greece and Balkan solidarity.
Amidst the dark days of Nazi occupation from 1941 to 1944, Lambrakis played an active role in the Greek Resistance. In 1943, he founded the Union of Greek Athletes and orchestrated competitions, utilizing the proceeds to fund vital public food banks for Greece’s impoverished population.
Post-World War II, Lambrakis completed his medical studies and embarked on a career as a lecturer in the Department of Gynaecology. He published over 40 scientific papers and three volumes of a pioneering Greek endocrinology book, at a time when endocrinology lacked recognition as a distinct field in Greece. He also operated a clinic for underprivileged patients in need of medical care.
Lambrakis’ ideological leanings gravitated toward the left, but he was not a Communist. He was immersed in the pacifist movement, and his promotion of peace culminated in his election to the Hellenic Parliament in 1961, representing Piraeus.
Under his leadership, the Commission for International Détente and Peace (EDYE) was established in Greece in 1961, signalling hi commitment to peace. As vice president of Greek affiliate of EDYE Lambrakis participated in pacifist meetings and demonstrations, braving many real threats against his life.
The assassination
On April 21, 1963, the pacifist movement in Greece organised the inaugural First Pacifist Rally, from Marathonas to Athens. Despite the rally’s ban by police, which led to numerous arrests, Lambrakis, shielded by parliamentary immunity, marched alone. He reached the rally’s end and brandished the peace symbol banner. His defiant stance led to his subsequent arrest.
May 22, following an address at an anti-war gathering in Thessaloniki, Lambrakis was brutally assaulted. In a disturbing public spectacle witnessed by bystanders and police, two far-right extremists, Emannouel Emannouilides and Spyros Gotzamanis, struck Lambrakis over the head with a club while traversing the streets in their three-wheeled vehicle.
Suffering brain injuries, Lambrakis succumbed to his wounds five days later, on May 27. Action by a brave bystander, Manolis Hatziapostolou, nicknamed ‘Tiger’, led to the arrest of the assassins after he fearlessly intervened, leaping onto their vehicle and engaging them in a physical confrontation.
Athens bore witness to an extraordinary outpouring of grief and outrage during Lambrakis’ funeral, as an astounding 500,000 individuals assembled in a remarkable display of solidarity. Uniting under a common cause, they vociferously condemned the right-wing government and the Royal Court, calling for justice and an end to oppression.
The aftermath of Lambrakis’ assassination had far-reaching implications, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis, who departed for Paris in July 1963. Seizing the moment, thousands of Greek youths came together to establish the Lambrakis Democratic Youth, a transformative political organisation.
At the helm stood composer Mikis Theodorakis, a close friend of Lambrakis, assuming the role of its inaugural president. This left-leaning movement played an indelible role in spearheading Greece’s progressive agenda throughout the transformative 1960s and had implications for the 1970s and 1980s.
During the years of the ruthless Colonel’s Junta, a military dictatorship from 1967 to 1974, the mere mention of Lambrakis’ name became illegal, and even possessing his scientific papers was a criminal offense. However, with the eventual downfall of the military regime in 1974, a spirit of remembrance for Lambrakis emerged. This took the form of numerous streets, squares, and landmarks being renamed across the country to honour his legacy. In a tribute, the Greek Parliament unanimously bestowed him with their recognition in 2013.
Every November, the echoes of Lambrakis’ pursuit of peace resound throughout the Athens Classic Marathon, an event dedicated to his memory.