The Greeks Love Their Holidays

The Greeks are rather welcoming to Americans. While here I don’t have to worry about telling people that I am Canadian or German so that I won’t be shot dirty looks, or worse dirty bullets. However, November 17 is not the ideal time to display American patriotism in Greece. In 1973 a massacre occurred at the Polytechnic University and though it was the Greek government who ended the lives of protestors (and civilians) the Greeks believe that the Americans had a hand in previous creating stability so that the dictatorship could flourish. The incident that happened at the University began with a congregation of anti-junta protestors reeling about the loss of their civil rights, freedoms and protections. As more people arrived, things escalated so the government decided to prohibit the rioters from smoldering. Their plan of action? Tanks.

They drove tanks into the Polytechnic University where students and rioters alike had barricaded themselves. When the tanks connect with the gate, lives were lost—however their cause was not. Within a year after the uprising, a parliamentary democracy was restored. However, every year on November 17 the event is remembered. Sometimes with simple demonstrations and civilized parades, but more often with burning cars and destruction against anything that reminds Greeks of the tragedy. On this day, car insurance companies do not acknowledge damage caused, so no claims are illegitimate. Embassies have been raided and foreigners must be aware of their surroundings. An organization, often labeled as terrorists, called N17 (Nov. 17) has led and organized the majority of violence on this day.

However, needless to say, I was not a recipient of animosity or aggression. Granted, the largest percentage of riots is held in Athens where the incident occurred, but as Greeks are fairly active in defending their rights, I imagined a bigger hoopla here in Thessaloniki. This is why when I ventured downtown in the morning I was shocked to find no roads closed and no visible damage. Perhaps I should have gone to Athens to see actual riots.