Black History Month in Veria's Public Library

In celebration of Black History Month, the American Corner of Veria’s Public Library and the State English Teachers’ Union of Emathia, gave us the opportunity to watch the movie-documentary ‘’Soundtrack for a Revolution’’. The movie tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. Freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church. Music enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights.

The movie managed to move us and teach us that freedom is one of the most important values for humanity, and as Martin Luther King said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”.

Maria Karadoumani, Kostas Kokkaliaris

The Polytechnic Uprising Anniversary

The Polytechnic School Uprising in 1973 was a mass demonstration against the dictatorship of colonels. The uprising began in 14th November 1973 when the Athenian Polytechnic School was occupied by students and the revolt escalated in a kind of anti-dictatorship revolution and ended up with bloodshed in the morning of 17th November.

On the 17th November our school organized a celebration in the commemoration of the polytechnic’s uprising anniversary. Our two literature teachers and our schoolmates organized an event in order to honor the demonstrators and the victims. The event included poems and songs performed by the students and also photos and videos about the uprising. The organizers achieved to move us and teach us that freedom is one of the most important human rights which can only be acquired with willingness, determination and teamwork.

Maria