Aria Bertali
With plenty of music and smiles, «Art Against Fascism», a self-organized antifascist event, after the initiative of Anti-Nazi Zone, took place on Sunday, June 14, in Agios Dimitrios Square in Petroupoli (a municipality of west Athens).
Some months ago, fascists in a local school had tried to stop the event that takes place every year at the anniversary of the Polytechnic event – the students’ uprising that tried to overthrow the military dictatorship in 1973. Weeks after that, they attacked anti-fascists, members of Anti-Nazi Zone, also outside of a local school. These were all part of their effort to turn the area into one of their strongholds. However, antifascist responses were quickly organised, with campaigns amongst the school students in the area and in the local society, and events like «Art Against Fascism»! We were determined not to allow fascism to grow in our neighbourhood!
Over 300 people attended the event, the vast majority being youth from the local schools and the area. This was preceded by a major campaign in the area, including leafleting schools, along main streets, at concerts, as well as fly-posting various parts and neighborhoods in Petroupoli and west Athens.
In the early afternoon, the square began to fill with youth and local residents who came to attend the events and spend time with friends at an open-air festival, dedicated to art and collective action against fascism and racism.
The festival had a strong artistic character. The square was decorated with photographs and paintings created by participants, demonstrating that art can serve as a direct and accessible means of expressing social concerns.
At the festival entrance, an Antinazi-Zone stall had been set up, where visitors could learn about our various initiatives, talk to and meet people active in the fight against fascism, as well as purchase bags, pins, and T-shirts. Some of them were interested to know more, and left contact information.
The children’s workshop area was particularly lively, with participants of all ages creating art with cardboard, playing, and laughing in an environment designed to promote children’s self-expression and collaboration.
Antinazi-zone welcomed the attendees, speaking briefly about the current situation in the wider region regarding the actions of the fascists. Many examples of violence and intimidation were cited, and the speaker was frequently interrupted by students who added further examples, expressing their outrage. Speakers emphasized the importance of initiatives such as «Art Against Fascism» as a response to all these incidents, but also as a reminder that we can unite our voices to fight back against those who want to silence us, and for a peaceful neighborhood, where young people will be free to express themselves as they wish.
A greeting was also delivered on behalf of the Anti-Fascist Educational Network, and a local environmental residents’ initiative that was also present.
Young people gathered around the tables set with food and drinks to watch and add their own energy to the evening’s music scene, which was the highlight of the event. School student bands and young artists offered unforgettable musical moments that we’ll remember for time to come. “OK”, “BLOODBOUNT”, as well as “WIZ” and a local Hip Hop collective (ELFIOR, RØMLING, WEZRAP, AXESTOS, NIO.STE., FIASKO) performed with a common goal: to use their art to send a loud and powerful message against the fascist groups that try to poison our schoolyards. School students held colourful banners dedicated to their favourite bands, and, as if in an embrace, they joined hands, singing, dancing, and chanting slogans for freedom and against the neo-nazis.
This creative evening came to a close with smiles and a sense of fulfilment on the faces of the participants, proving that art can become a means of expressing resistance to the fascist violence and racism. Young people need to fight far right ideas, they need solidarity and unified struggles for a better life. The festival was an opportunity to meet with many different people, to express ourselves openly and freely, without exclusion. It gave us confidence that we can keep our neighbourhoods clean of fascists and bullies of all kinds.
