Greece

Resistance to Dictatorship in Greece

A performance built from letters, testimonies and first-hand memory of life under dictatorship, created and staged by young people in Greece.

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Location

Pargis Square

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Location

Mavili Square

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WP3 - Research

Letters and interviews

Letters

To the fraternal communist parties

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From: 32 political prisoners in Aegina prisons

To: Fellow communist parties

Date: 25/12/1971

Topic: Political statement and status analysis

Dear comrades, accept from the cells of the dictatorship’s prisons, from the Greek communist political prisoners, our best wishes for the New Year. We wish you to continue even more the work of your party, the ongoing anti-imperialist struggle you are conducting for prosperity in Europe and global peace, for the victory of the forces of progress and Socialism all over the world.

In our country for almost five years now, the fascist dictatorship has been oppressing our people with the terrorism of arbitrariness. Precisely because we resisted and continue to resist neo-fascism, we the communist political prisoners, are in prison with heavy long-term sentences.

The recent arrests of KKE(Interior)* and among them members of our party’s leadership, testify to the uninterrupted ongoing resistance of our people against a brutal dictatorship imposed on the Greek people by the imperialist circles of the USA and NATO. They also testify that despite the demagoguery of the Greek junta, the military marriage, the military courts in peacetime, and all the multifaceted police repression continue to thrive in our homeland.

Our party, KKE(Interior), to which the majority of communist political prisoners belong, faithful to the principles of Marxism-Leninism, implements the policy of unity of all anti-dictatorial forces in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in our country: a policy confirmed by the creation of the National Resistance Council (EAS), in which four major resistance organizations participate. This success has filled us with hope for the unity beyond all anti-dictatorial organizations, for a unified action of our entire people for the cause of democracy.

Accept, dear comrades, our thanks for your support in the struggle of our people, which is also a struggle of all anti-fascist forces in Europe for the elimination of fascist resurgence. We particularly thank you for your help to us ourselves and for your significant contribution to the global protest that was expressed with the recent arrest of members of our party’s leadership.

The struggle of the Greek people, along with your support and that of all progressive humanity, achieved last year the abolition of concentration camps for political exiles and the release of the vast majority of them.

Today, about 350 political prisoners from all political factions remain in prisons, and over 50 citizens are exiled on various islands of our country. We believe that your solidarity with the struggle of our people will continue for the granting of general amnesty, the abolition of the courts-martial and the military world, and the restoration of democracy in our country.

with comradery greetings,

32 political prisoners of Aegina prisons

*KKE is the communist party of Greece

Message from political prisoners regarding living conditions

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From: Political prisoners in Gyaros

To: The world

Date: 06/1967

Topic: Situation analysis in Gioura

Message: Here is the translation of the Greek text into English: Our lives on Gyaros are in danger. This cursed, craven, uninhabited island, the “hell” as it was officially described by Bizimis in 1952, has been used since ancient times only as a place of extermination. No “improvement” can change the harsh natural conditions. And our already rough life will become martyrdom if winter arrives. Then the rain and unbearable cold will soak the tents, while the unheated buildings will become refrigerator cells.

-Why was Gyaros chosen? Exactly for these conditions and its perfect isolation. Here we are—thousands of political prisoners—at the mercy of the most merciless nature and the will of our captors. In a hell without categories, under various pressures, blackmail, and coercion measures, to exchange our proud ideas and our devotion to the People and Democracy for a dishonored freedom. We extend greetings to humanity. And we connect our gratitude for what is done in favor of the true face of our homeland with the appeal to abolish Gyaros. Let all political prisoners be freed.

Gyaros—June 1967
The political prisoners of Gyaros

The Notios(Southerner) (Georgios Milonas)

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From: Georgios Mylonas
To: Theodoros …
Date: 25/7/70
Subject: Collaboration and Prospects

Dear Theodore,

I strongly recommend my friend Ilia to you. He has important things to share with you. Significant prospects are opening up. Find the best formula for collaboration. Due to his residence near Paris, I think he should connect with the small group in London as well. Don’t miss this opportunity. He came here solely to discuss when he learned that he had entered the Central Committee. Write me the outcome. In my regular note that I will send tomorrow or the day after, I will write many other updates.

Kisses,
Notios

Nikos Argiropoulos to Georgios Mylonas

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From: Nikos Argiropoulos
To: Georgios Mylonas
Date: 9/11/69
Subject: Personal and Resistance News

Rome 9.11.69
Dear Minister,

I have just learned your address in Switzerland and want—first of all—to convey my heartfelt joy for your escape and my warmest wishes for the success of the anti-dictatorial struggle you have undertaken.

I had a strong desire to see you during your brief stay in Rome, where I have been forced to reside after my conviction by a military court of the fascist regime. However, I did not attempt to do so because I understood the need for calm you would have during those days. I hope I will have the opportunity in the future.

A few days ago, I accidentally came into possession of photocopies of a message from fighters of the anti-junta resistance, who are imprisoned in Aegina. Many of them are leaders of the youth movement of E.DH.N., of which I was also a member of the Central Administration. All the signatories politically come from the space of the “Center Union.” The message refers, as you will see, to the old information about the Black-Mavros agreement. However, this issue is outdated. Nevertheless, I consider it my duty to send you a copy for your awareness.

I would like to reiterate my best feelings towards you.

Respectfully and appreciatively,
Nikos Argiropoulos

To Sarra Skourtelli regarding the shipment of printed material

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From: Markos Dragoumis

To: Sarra Skourtelli
Date: November 10, 1969
Subject: Personal News and Resupply

London 10-11-69

Dear Sarra,

I received your card and thank you. I was very distressed to hear that you were in the hospital for so long. What happened? I hope it’s nothing serious. We’ll talk about it when you come. My phone number is 455-3936.

Since sending advertisements costs money, we decided to send you 50 as a first installment. When you successfully sign up subscribers, we will send more. … I think 8 shillings correspond to 5 marks, if I’m not mistaken. Help your friends understand what this is about. We wanted 5 marks for the next 5 issues. It’s very important to directly connect thousands of Greeks abroad with “Nea Ellada” (New Greece).

How are all the friends in Nuremberg? I hope everything is fine and that they haven’t lost their spirited (part?). The struggle is now in a critical and decisive, dynamic position. We need to get back to work, which has been a lot and unevenly distributed so far.

Take note that we sent 200 advertisements to Petros Kounalakis, so if you need more, you can initially ask him.

Friendly,

Markos

From M. Tsekouras to friends 1

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From: M. Tsekouras
To: Friends (listed below)
Date: 20/8/68
Subject: Political and Resistance News

To friends, Pantelesko, Voulgaropoulos, Kounalakis, Kalaitzis Giannopoulos, Chrysochoidis, Kordogianis

Dear friends,

By coincidence and from an uncontrolled source, we learned that a referendum of free Greeks is being prepared in Germany for September 29, 1968, the day when voting will take place in Greece for the junta’s “constitution.” In this referendum, Greeks abroad will respond to the question of whether they want the “constitution” that the junta offers.

Since we do not know whether this is a serious consideration or merely a transfer of café discussions, we thought to propose the creation of such an event on the same day with the same question of YES or NO regarding the “constitution.”

Of course, there may be a response that when we call on Greeks inside to boycott the “constitution,” we cannot ourselves carry out such an action which implies that we de facto accept discussion with the junta regarding its constitution. Thus, it would be better to organize demonstrations, protest gatherings, etc. Along with these, there may be mentioned difficulties that might exist, such as a boycott from the junta’s apparatus and possibly the right-wing or fear that will prevent many from reaching the polls we will set up, as well as difficulties and prohibitions from the authorities of the countries we live in.

We believe that these difficulties do exist in some countries; however, we do not think they are insurmountable.

As for the de facto acceptance of discussion with the junta, we believe – if the issue is framed this way – that something like this has long been done, especially since we began our critique of the content of the constitution and the essence of the regime it seeks to legitimize. Our action was correct because it took into account a reality; for the same reason, we believe that the referendum we propose to hold is also correct.

We believe that such an action, combined with demonstrations, etc., along with appropriate propaganda preparation from now on, will leave no room for misinterpretation and will have a sufficiently positive impact in the West while also boosting morale inside and outside Greece with its result.

In conjunction with this, a collection of supporting signatures could be organized from Germans, French, Italians, Danes, Swedes, Norwegians, etc. Here, corresponding labor and student unions could help.

The initiative could be taken by anti-junta committees or student and labor associations or communities or all together in collaboration with each other.

There should also be created somewhere in Europe a center for collecting results and distributing them to the press and radio in Eastern and Western Europe as well as in America and Australia (Greeks from these continents should participate in the plan).

We think a broader examination of this idea is needed; therefore we are writing to you awaiting your response.

Gratz 20.8.68
With friendly regards,
M. Tsekouras

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From Dimitris Rokos to Georgios Mylonas 1

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From: Dimitris Rokos
To: Georgios Mylonas
Date: 8/1/70
Subject: Political Situation and Prospects

Athens, January 8, 1970

Dear Fellow Countryman,

I received your letter and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wishes. I sincerely wish you and your family every happiness in 1970, and every success and fulfillment of our desires.

I too received your message with emotion, along with so many friends, and throughout December I closely followed your efforts and the final success, which we hope will be significant and the beginning of the end for the miseries of our country.

These days we are expecting some news from America. Is it coming as a friend of the Greek people or as an Overseer? Friends from the student movement in the U.S. have already been notified to seek representative information from all layers of the Greek people, through their representative here, to collect objective and unimpeachable data about the situation in our country.

From people within the establishment who maintain very close relations with the military regime, it has been spread in recent days that their intention is to remain as they are for two years, and then to impose a seemingly legitimate five-year term. Nevertheless, the Progressive Party in three consecutive meetings recently held in Athens decided to complete its organization within 1970. The General Secretary of the Ministry now, Spentzas (a former Progressive youth), also participated in these meetings. A fact that must be taken into account in any assessment of the current situation in Greece is a strange possibility of recent payments that I can say never existed before.

The funding of Public Investment Projects presents a false (solidity?) that cannot be justified by anything. It seems as if they are trying to pour money into the market to soften general discontent. However, there is a widespread belief even among those circles of Researchers and Builders who are currently benefiting from these payments that a vertical drop must be anticipated for the near future.

In the meantime, however, the Planning-Training-Executive Services Mechanism, stripped of personnel and staffed by opportunistic schemers as executives, is struggling with colossal modern social problems, with the courage of ignorance and powers not derived from the People.

After my dismissal in August, there were five more dismissals in my sector, while daily people from all activities who do not declare loyalty are losing their jobs. I believe this measure is one of the most vulgar because it ties each person’s bread to the purchase of their conscience. As for the so-called blessed spiritual leadership, I believe that its degradation must be emphasized to their colleagues – nominally – around the world. I mean those people who had no financial need, had exhausted their hierarchies, and have represented (leaders?) of the ideals of our race for years and years, and who now still boast even among their (own?) and are sure – from analogous experiences of the past – that tomorrow they will still be among their (wolves?) continuing the… sacred tradition of the Establishment.

From what I can judge and from what I know so far, this whole affair is always a game by the establishment to eliminate progressive forces from the scene.

The same happened during Occupation when collaborators hunted down the bright and free consciences of patriots as… traitors to the nation; it’s happening again with the right’s underworld; it’s happening now when scientists of prestige who refuse to become pawns find themselves in exile or prison and are deprived of their right and duty to serve their homeland.

That’s why I believe that the greatest burden from our common cause falls on you who will strive through political means at an international level for peaceful change so that as quickly as possible healthy forces in our land can contribute to its Development and prosperity.

From within, those who stood tall have been exterminated. Those who refuse to accept the legitimacy of the current regime have been removed from their positions, which offered them some ability to guide public opinion towards modern democratic horizons.

From those who remain in their positions, no one can hope for anything active. Their passive resistance is unfortunately not guided by anyone.

Something must be done about the semi-legitimacy of pseudo-freedom of press. Ethnos, Vima, Ta Nea, and Apogevmatini should engage in some action. There needs to be some antidote to the crude daily propaganda of the regime. Personally, I am willing to comment publicly on events from one of their columns.

I would be happy if I hear from you again and if I can communicate with you at your new residence.

My regards to (…) Maria and her husband along with my appreciation.

Sincerely yours,
Dimitris
For my fellow patriot

From Aris Fakinos to Phaidon Vegleris 1

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From: Aris Fakinos (Author, Resident Abroad)
To: Phaidon Vegleris (Lawyer, Self-Exiled in France)
Date: 02/09/1971
Subject: Personal Communication

Paris, September 2, 1971

Dear Mr. Vegleris,

I do not remember at this moment if I replied to your last note, which you kindly sent me. I regret that this time I will not be able to meet you, as it is completely impossible for me to come to Bonn for the D.A. assembly. Unfortunately, I was notified too late to request permission from my office. Or rather, I was not notified at all since the person responsible for the relevant updates in Paris appropriately kept silent. A continuation of sadness or coincidences?

I hope that you will be able to attend. And I sincerely wish that something positive comes out of at least this assembly. These ambiguous situations frustrate our people; they are disgusted, waiting, despairing, and the Papadopoulos regime is rubbing its hands together.

I made a power of attorney which I gave to Dionysis Karayiorgas. I took the liberty of attaching a copy of it in case any authenticity issue arises… I have seen and heard so much…

I greet you,
In a fighting spirit and friendly,
Aris Fakinos

I underlined with red pencil the …
(unreadable)

Correspondence of Nikos Karakitsos

Correspondence of E. and A. Panteleskos to G. Mylonas 1

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From: A. Panteleskou
To: G. Mylonas
Date: 11/02/1974
Subject: Personal News and Political Situation Analysis

Rome, February 11, 1974

Dear Mr. Mylonas,

Thank you warmly for your card. I knew you were in the Netherlands. Don’t worry about not being able to visit my brother; perhaps there will be another, less unpleasant opportunity for you to meet. Fortunately, everything went well, and he is now at home where he is going through a recovery period, which is expected to be rather long. The important thing is that he has completed the most significant stage—the surgery—and now his condition is improving day by day. In a few months, the doctors say he will be able to return to his work as a journalist and live as a normal person. A political refugee since the civil war, he longs for the Greek land. This surgery has given him hope that one day his dream of returning home may become a reality. What a longing this is for so many thousands of Greeks who are tired of living abroad without citizenship, without a homeland, with a “stateless” passport…

We remain tied to the same millstone. But what an oppressive silence has settled in. From all sides in Greece, there is absolute, suffocating silence. It seems that not a leaf is stirring. We rack our brains over what to write… I don’t remember such silence ever before in the past. At least before we had the colorful Pattakos, who would give some speech or interview, and we would find something to comment on. Now?

Let it be. If you have anything to say, if you have the time and inclination to write an article, please send it to us. It would make us happy.

I leave you now and thank you once again. You have many greetings from Vangelis.

With love,
(Aphron—diminutive of Aphrodite)

P.S. My typewriter pulled the paper and tore it a bit. Please forgive me.

Interviews

Alexandros Deftaireos

Alexandros, 52, from Athens, was a baby when the dictatorship fell and has no memories of it, though instability affected his family for years. He wants an independent justice system, sees similarities today in media control and censorship, and says democracy is the only just path.

Giorgios Tsiavos

Giorgos, 62, recalls fear and censorship at home, his parents secretly listening to the radio, oppression at school and his father briefly jailed after a clash with police. He values today's free speech and wants recent history taught from many sources to avoid past mistakes.

Kostas Loukas

Kostas Loukas, 81, a retired forester, was a student in Thessaloniki under the junta. He was watched by the authorities, joined protests and the Polytechnic uprising, where he saw gunfire. He is disappointed by today's inequality, public healthcare and lack of jobs for the young.

Pindou

A student in Athens during the dictatorship, she remembers the tanks of 21 April, the fear and silence, and her small resistance in student elections. The Polytechnic uprising made her proud of the students' courage. She honours those who resisted: "Never again dictatorship."

Rena

A 75-year-old retired teacher with a maths PhD recalls restrictions, poverty and strict control of workers. Her father resigned under pressure and was later reinstated. She says democracy needs equality before the law and urges young people never to accept limits on free speech.

Thomas

A 50-year-old from Ioannina, he did not live through the dictatorship but knows family stories; his family was not persecuted. He thinks those who lived it should share their stories, sees similarities today in limits on free speech, and urges youth to defend freedom of expression.

Unknown 1

The narrator says life in Ioannina was calm for those who avoided politics. His roommate, an officer involved in the tank entering the Polytechnic, was later arrested, tried and jailed. He finds the country much freer today and says justice and accountability prevent oppression.

Focus group

Three focus groups brought older witnesses of the Greek junta (1967-74) together with young participants. Testimonies described censorship, informers and fear in daily life, with repression strongest in the cities and calmer memories in the villages.

Key conclusions
Memory of the junta is divided and was poorly passed on, due to trauma, shame and superficial teaching in schools.

Resistance
It ranged from the Polytechnic uprising and underground support to small private acts, while silence was often a survival strategy.

Memory
Oral testimony proved essential to fill the gaps left by family silence and school.

Democratic participation
Free speech emerged as the core value, along with the need for active citizenship and vigilance against subtler threats today, such as media control.

WP4 - creative process

Behind the scenes

How the performance came together — rehearsals, writing sessions, and the process of turning research into something the team could perform.

Your story matters

Share an experience you've lived or heard.

Do you have a story about resistance, life under dictatorship or marginalization / rights being threatened? We'd love to hear it, even if you didn't experienced dictatorship, it could be a recent experience where you've felt your rights were being threatened.

What you share here can be used in the future to complement this project. For now it will be share privatly with the team.

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