The Great December...

"When people stand upon the danger of tyranny 

chooses either the chains or the arms"

Athens, Syntagma Square, 4.12.1944

It was a Sunday exactly 70 years ago when a peaceful protest of EAM (National Liberation Front) was turned into a massacre. It was the beginning of the, 33 day long battle, of Athens. It was the day that the people of Athens chose again to pay the big price of blood in order to preserve its dignity and freedom. Freedom that had been won with countless sacrifices during the Nazi occupation that lasted more than 3 years (21.4.1941 - 12.10.1944). This time an "ally" was about to be the enemy... 60.000 British troops provided the best support to the Greek bourgeoisie class in order to achieve its goal. To come back to power no matter if this was fully against people's will! Greece became the only land in post war Europe (together with West Germany) that the ex - collaborators of the Nazis not only didn't get punished for their crimes against the people but also became an organic part of the postwar state.

Athens, Corner of Panepistimiou & Vas. Georgiou, 3.12.1944 (28 armless protesters murdered on that day)

The funeral of the 28 protesters of the 3rd of December. Athens, Singrou Ave. 4.12.1944

"Nothing can yield Athens"

Upon the danger of a new Tyranny people of Athens chose the arms and not the chains. For 33 days gave a heroic and unequal battle. But it didn't win. It didn't win only in military terms. It was the moral and ideological winner of this battle. Today the peoples all around the world seems that have chosen the chains. The only thing is that a minor part can feel these chains as it moves and tries to break them! Using a Rosa's Luxembourg quote "Those who do not move, do not notice their chains".

Syntagma Square in Athens, as seen from the rooftop of Grate Britain hotel, during the battles of  December 1944

«Αστραποβολά ο λαός μέσα στις συνοικίες.

Με μια ψυχή πέτρες λοστούς και σίδερα κινεί.

Για πολεμίστρες στους εχθρούς πυργώνει τις γωνίες.

Κι από τα οδοφράγματα η Λευτεριά θ' αρθεί».

The Mountain Goverment!

"Ορκίζομαι ότι θα εκτελέσω πιστά τα καθήκοντά μου σαν μέλος της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής Εθνικής Απελευθέρωσης, έχοντας σαν γνώμονα το συμφέρον της πατρίδας μου και του ελληνικού λαού, ότι θα αγωνιστώ με αυτοθυσία για την απελευθέρωση της χώρας μου από το ζυγό των κατακτητών, ότι θα υπερασπίζω παντού και πάντοτε τις λαϊκές ελευθερίες και θα είμαι παραστάτης και οδηγός του λαού στον αγώνα για τη λευτεριά του και τα κυριαρχικά του δικαιώματα". 

Viniani Euritanias at 1944, The capital of Free Greece.

It was 10th of March 1944 in Viniani Euritanias (Βίνιανη Ευρυτανίας), a small mountain village in central Greece, when the Political Committee of National Liberation (Πολιτική Επιτροπή Εθνικής Απελευθέρωσης, ΠΕΕΑ) was established. PEEA was the outcome of the massive and heroic struggle of the Greek resistance movement during the period of Axis occupation. Under the control of the provisional government were approx. the 2/3 of the country, which had been already liberated by the resistance organisations of EAM/ELAS. One of the first acts of the government was to prepare and organize national elections for the formation of the National Council. In the elections that took place 23 - 30 of April voted 1.800.000 citizens, including women for the first time in Greek history. 184 representatives from all over the country were elected in the National Council. The first historical session of the council took place in Korisxades (Κορυσχάδες), another village of Euritania region (14 - 27.5. 1944).

Women vote, Free Greece April 1944

General Stefanos Sarafis, military leader of  ELAS attending a meeting of the provisional government. Viniani 1.5.1944.

Euripidis Bakirtzis, President of Mountain government followed by Petros Kokkalis, secretary of Social Welfare. Viniani 1.5.1944.

First session of National Council, Korisxades May 1944 (The sign on the wall writes: Death to Fascism)

National bond issuance, June 1944