In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the revolution of 1821, I was 14 years old. It was the junta (1971) and I was a student at the 4th Gymnasium in Maniatika, Piraeus. At that time the junta sought to bring history «to their own standards». They wanted ‘Hellas of Greek Christians« to appear as a continuation of the 1821 Struggle... That's why the junta organized a big celebration at the Panathenaic Stadium to which the students came »voluntarily’... I don't remember exactly what I relied on, but I didn't go to that festival, I saw it on TV in the evening: The kitsch was pervasive, the soldiers in the role of extras, crowds of people «voluntarily» in the stands to applaud and everywhere the «warrior virtue of the Greeks»... I remember in the following days at school discussing it in low voices during breaks with my «buddies». Depending on your view of the 1821 Revolution, you were judged as a democrat or a Hun...

Then, the basic aim of the junta was to distort historical lessons, to try to identify with the concepts of «patriotism», «rebellion», «nation», «revolution», etc. Youth was just beginning to become politicised, but we still didn't understand much. His book Yannis Scariba, «21 and the truth», released in 1971, was a punch in the gut for all of us. As soon as it fell into our hands (a democratic teacher told us about it) we read it in a day! He wrote that «21 was a National-Social Revolution, the first and the last in history. It struck the Kiutache and the Dramali, as well as the local chorbatzi and the oppressor. He deposed Kanaris, and captured the chancellery of Hydra by assault. He hanged Marko Bottsaris and Byron, while in Berbina he would have slaughtered the Procrites.’ He made us read, ask questions, learn, form opinions and consciences...
Fifty years later, we are preparing for the 200th anniversary celebrations. We all hope that the kitsch is gone and that 1821 is honoured for what it was.

It may seem strange, but I find that something that bears the name «revolution», some people are trying to bring it back into line: Revolution is fine, but for then!

Now we are «sitting on our eggs». Yes, there was a rebellion back then in which not everyone participated, but this is not the time to talk about it. for the attitude that many prelates as well as the Lantern took in relation to the revolution (he had done the same for King Feraio)... ‘He even wrote the text of the excommunication, which was signed by all the prelates: «But those wicked, unconverted, fugitive and apostate, fugitives and apostates, you are to hate them and turn away from them, both in intellect and in virtue»...

Isn't the best way to commemorate the 1821 revolution today to re-read what happened then and reflect on it?;

Do we need to rediscover the concept of patriotism?;

Do we need to delve deeper into the contribution of the foreign powers that indeed played a decisive role in our struggle for independence, but also their deeper aspirations?;

Do we need to remember the General Makriyannis who wrote, «I will speak the truth in the nude»?;

After all, we know each other in this place. We have to tell the truth, whether it suits us or not.

-It is too much to be «sold patriotism» by some who seek to build political careers on patriotism.

-It is too much to talk to us about national consciousness, all those who have plenty of off shore somewhere in the world to avoid paying taxes at home.

-It is too much to talk about «honour to the flag», those who have their ships only in foreign registers, foreign flags, and their crew should have at most 1-2 Greeks...

-Cannot «praise the armed forces», some who put every means to serve their military service at the «Papagos-Holargos border», nor those who secured «kickbacks» from the armaments!

The 200th anniversary of the 1821 revolution is a cause for pride for all of us, but also for reflection: Pride for the truly many, who rose up and participated without claiming anything for themselves other than freedom. Reflection, why many of the leaders of the revolution were hunted down, imprisoned or executed and why discord is something that always characterizes us...

Really why so much ignorance of the history we want to celebrate?;

How can we commemorate 1821 when we have not studied it sufficiently?;

Is it time to reposition the modern concept of patriotism in a world experiencing globalisation?;

Should we look for contemporary revolutionary messages in the concepts of freedom, justice, rights, diversity, solidarity?;

Isn't 21 not «for the festivals»?;