Pour que la vie triomphe!

Λεύτερα 'σεις αγρίμια μου τα δόντια σας τροχίστε

και σεις πυκνά χιονόδεντρα σφίξετε τα κλαδιά σας

να μην πατήσει ο τύραννος το λεύτερό σας χώμα.

Κι όταν θε νά 'ρθει η Ανοιξη και λυώσουνε τα χιόνια

και θα φυσήξει δροσερό της λευτεριάς τ' αγέρι

αητέ μου δος μου τα φτερά κι ελάφι μου τα πόδια

και ρεματιά μου την ορμή για να χυθώ στον κάμπο

να δώσω βόλι στο φονιά και λευτεριά στο σκλάβο.

It was these days, 70 years ago, when in the village Tsiouka (today known as Foteino -Φωτεινό, Τρικάλων-) of Antichasia region in central Greece, the various scattered guerrillas groups, which were active the last months all over the country,  would be unified under a central administration, the General Partisan Command.

It was exactly 70 years ago, on the 28th of October 1946, when the Democratic Army of Greece (Δ.Σ.Ε) (officially renamed on 27.12.1946)  was founded...

The following text was written by the great French poet Paul Eluard as a farewell to the fighters of the Democratic Army of Greece. Eluard was member of the French delegation who had visited the strongholds of the Democratic Army in the Greek mountains of northern Greece in June 1949. 

Vitsi and Grammos, these two summits of the free world, are not at all lower than i had ever imagined. Instead, there i saw the fighters who adorn them with their unimaginable courage, the fighters who are the fire of the mountains, the fire of whole Greece, a honor for the civilized world who refuses to die under the relentless pressure of a minority of exploiters, arsonists of war. The earth and sun completely belong to them.

My brothers & sisters with the kind and gentle smile, how many times i was moved to tears as i was listening to you singing, watching all of you united by the love for your country, your trust for the future. We hate war, but woe to those who will enforce it to us.

I am leaving and i keep as a treasure into my heart unforgettable memory of your physical and mental health, your enthusiasm, your brotherhood, your faith to victory. The future belongs to you. And just because you are united, your oppressed brothers tomorrow will stand by your side. Freedom and brotherhood are contagious. They can't do anything against a People who is united.  And the sea will patiently accept your enslaved!

Long live Greece, united and free!

Long live the brotherhood of the People!

Long live the Peace which being built!

With respect, i salute you! 

Paul Eluard, June 1949

Carved in wood. Drawing of Zizi Makri, 1949

To the living memory of all the Democratic Army's officers and fighters, as well as, civilians who got involved and contributed to this titanic but unequal struggle, so the Life would triumph!