Culture
Cultural moments in difficult times
Culture has always been a part of the soul of this city, at first through the society of the refugees and the maintenance of the traditions of
"home" by the residents themselves
During the hard times, when fear and terrorism wandered about the neighbourhood and
in September, 1951, a team of youngsters of the upper Kessariani decide to form a cultural club, under the name Progressive Youth Movement (F.E.N.) that marked the life in our city. Among the ones that joined this movement was the famous writer Marios Chakas.
Marios Chakas
Marios Chakas was born in 1931, in Makrakomi of Fthiotida and died in Athens, on July 5th, 1972, after a long, cruel disease, not having the chance to satisfy his last crave to see this book in print. He lived in Kessariani, which he loved and bonded with. In this blood-stained area of Athens, the bitter settlement of ideological, national and social fights, through which he had lived as a restless and uncompromising man, marked his life, his consciousness and his work. He made his first appearance in literature in 1965, with a selection of poetry named "Beautiful Summer". In 1966 he issues his compilation of short stories, "The rifleman of the enemy". Other short stories followed, "The Bidet and other stories ", Kedros, 1971.
Progressive Youth Movement
A topmost exhibition of FEN was a dedication to the Greek national poet Dionissios Solomos, in the hall of the cinema "EKLER". The exhibition coocurred with a tragic event: the execution of N. Belloyiannis (1952). Inside the full cinema, the emotions were intense. The limitations had shrunk, the verses of Solomos from "Crazy Mother" echoed for the executed patriots, while the verses of "Glory" citing the "Raven black Hummock" at the area of executions. This magnificent beginning did not continue just as well, a merciless fight that the Secret service let loose, the terrorism and the propaganda tore FEN apart. They could not acquire a gathering and lecturing permit.
The end for FEN was closing in
FEN functioned again in 1963, when a wind of change blew over the country. The second period of FEN is full of intensely political, social and cultural events. Such events of great importance were the concerts of Stavros Xarchakos, Christos Leondis, the theatrical act "Erifilli" and mostly, the tribute to the eighty years of K. Varnalis. Finally, FEN took part in demonstrations for Peace, as in the first great march for Peace with a special float designed by Mitsos Kakoulidis, a painter from Kessariani. The second period of FEN ends with the enforcement of the military junta, in April 21st, 1967.
The foundation and function of the Youth Centre of the Municipality of Kessariani was very important as well for Kessariani during the hard times. This centre was founded about a year after the end of the first period of FEN and in a way, it was its cultural continuance. The Youth Centre quickly acted and created several departments, such as folk dance department, choir, theatrical team, chess department etc. A Lending Library was also founded and a newspaper was issued. The Centre's action becomes popular far from Kessariani; its artistic departments are being invited by other organisations. The fall of the junta sets the culture of Kessariani in another dimension. Independent groups take action and offer a lot to the area. An illustrative example was the Movement of the Democratic Women of Kessariani, founded in 1976 and contributed to the amelioration of the area, founding the Pitch for Women and then the Pitch for the Youth of the Municipality. Finally, the Spiritual Centre of the Municipality of Kessariani with its continual activities and the continual amelioration became and still remains the birthplace of civilization and education for the area.
Spiritual Centre (NPDD) (Legal Entity of Public Law)
Within the Spiritual Centre which in 1992 transformed into a NPDD, in which teaching courses on Painting, Music, Dance (classical, traditional and modern), chess, modellers, painting of sacred icons etc and on traditional instruments for juniors, are given, gathering annually over 800 children and adults.
Address: Hymettus 57 & Iroon Skopeftiriou
Telephone Number: 210 75.11.922
Municipal Lending Library
Thanks to the hard work of the librarian, Nikos Gaidadjis, the municipal library was set up, in which many meaty books, as well as hundreds of magazines and newspapers are hosted. It sustains on the donations of progressive fellow citizens, as well as systematic purchase of books from the budget of the Spiritual Centre.
Address: Hymettus 57 & Iroon Skopeftiriou
Telephone Number: 210 75.11.922
Minor Asian Culture Centre (NPDD)
The Minor Asian Culture Centre of the Municipality of Kessariani, founded lately, in February, 1994, seeks to resurrect, to accumulate and to keep the elements of heritage that compose this city. It is a legitimate entity whose priority is to resurrect the element of the character of Kessariani, which is relevant to the Minor Asian tradition and its transfer to the places where the refugees settled. The accumulation, record, process and presentation of the historical, cultural and folkloric material make up a foremost necessity to preserve the historical memory. Consequently, the remembrance and honouring events and the utilisation of the living history are essential to tone up the historical memory and make the history of the city respectable.
Minor Asian tradition
The incorporation of the refugees in Greek society
The absorbance of the refugees in the fields of the Greek society is a unique epic in history. It is estimated that almost 1.300.000 were eradicated from their homes. The majority of the refugees of Kessariani came from Vourla or Vrioula (ancient Klazomenes), but also from villages of the wide area of Smirni: Sivrissari, Boudja, Bournova, Koukloudja, as well as many Armenian families. Vourla were part of free Greek land, populated with 35.000 residents, of which only 3.000-4.000 were Turks. The Turks had made friendly relations with them and, thus, did not prevent them from living with their customs, living, that is, as Greeks. It was one of the most peaceful and tranquil societies of Minor Asia. Its habitants were widely known for their hospitality, their bravery and courage. On a social and cultural level, the refugees were mainly connected to Venizelos' movement, while some later distinguished themselves in syndicalism, in the labour movement, with their innovative ideas.
The origin of the residents of Kessariani, although it seems to lose status nowadays, mostly due to the alteration of the population but also to the "demolition" of historical memory, still, even vaguely, marks the area. On the other hand, the city's identity is cancelled, when features of the origin of the residents are undermined. Permanent residents of the neighbourhood, for over four decades have been, almost exclusively, Minor Asian refugees. Even today's habits of the residents at the heart of the residential settlements refer to the history of the city and confirm its character. The strong attachment of the Minor Asians to the family and the function of the neighbourhood of "old times", are illustrative examples of this character. The residents of Kessariani in this area still sit outside their homes in the summer dusk and night, with open doors, preserving, thus, active bonds between generations and being a source of continuity of this tradition. Also many names of the streets of the neighbourhood refer to the lost homes, as well as the names of basic functions and spectacles, the cinema "Aeolia", the "Aeoliko" Spiritual Centre etc.
Society - Ideology
On a political level the majority of Minor Asians were progressive people. The Great Idea and the enslavement, both introduced and materialized by El. Venizelos, had turned them towards the party of the liberals. But later, the bitterness and anger for the tragedy, the decomposition of the tragedy by Venizelos, the crucial mistakes of the king and his governments at the Minor Asian Campaign, the indifference of the state towards their intense problems, strengthened their "pro-venizelic" feelings. At the same time, the attitude of the Great Forces in the Minor Asian tragedy revealed the interests gambled in the area, at the cost of human lives and of Hellenism. Thus, patriotism and belief in their own powers was forged in their souls, progressiveness and the will for the change of the society. So, one can conclude according to the above, that the refugees that settled in Kessariani were similar, regarding the place of origin, cordial and hospitable, in manners, independent and free, as well as forged in the idea of a small, communal society. This refugee world that settled in Kessariani was already progressive and anti-royal, believed in a better society, fought for its change, participated in the fights of Hellenism and wrote down the small or great history of its neighbourhood.
Address: Vrioulon & Klazomenon (Town Hall of Kessariani)
Telephone Number: 210 72.92.601-8
AEOLIKO Spiritual Centre (Municipal establishment)
Address: Hymettus 57 & Iroon Skopeftiriou
Telephone Number: 210 75.11.922
Municipal Exhibition
Painting, conservatoire, theatre, dancing, singing etc. Within the Spiritual Centre there are teaching courses on painting, music, dance (classical, traditional and modern), chess, modellers, painting of sacred icons etc which gather over 800 children and adults annually.
