The Greek Community of Melbourne will host events on Sunday, November 17, to commemorate the 1973 Polytechnic uprising, a defining moment in Greece’s modern history that marked a pivotal stand against the Junta.
This day of remembrance honours the students and citizens who, through courage and unity, stood against an oppressive regime, setting the foundations for Greece’s post-Junta democratic era, known as metapolitefsi.
In a statement, the Greek Community of Melbourne extended gratitude to all who fought for democracy and freedom during the seven-year dictatorship, both within Greece and abroad.
“Their legacy will always remind us that democracy is not won without struggle,” the statement read.
While Greece now experiences its longest period of democratic governance and peace, the Greek Community reflects on the ongoing global challenges of war, religious fanaticism, and ethnic conflicts. The Polytechnic students’ demands for “Bread, Education, and Freedom” continue to resonate as a call for justice and equality across the world.
To honour these values and the legacy of the uprising, the Polytechnic Memorial Committee has organized two commemorative events:
– 11am: Wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial
– 2pm: Commemorative event with speeches and songs from the era at Alphington Grammar School’s Lyceum Centre
For further details, contact the Greek Community of Melbourne at +61 3 9662 2722 or email info@greekcommunity.com.au.
