“Grave of Kokkinia”, some called it. The \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of a dark chapter in Greek history.
The \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial marks the spot where the Nazis executed 75 members of the Greek Resistance. This old factory belonged to the British Oriental Carpet company. It is found in the Kokkinia neighborhood also called Nikaia. Hundreds more lost their lives nearby.
August 17 1944 remains a day etched in infamy. The Nazi troops carried out mass executions here. They targeted members of the Greek Resistance fighters. Kokkinia a neighborhood known for its resistance became a site of immense suffering. The \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial stands as a testament to their courage and sacrifice.
Today the \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial urges visitors to revisit this tragic history. It encourages conversations with the past.
The \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial also serves as a museum. The museum stands as a place of remembrance and reflection. It honors the lives lost. Maria Karavela staged a performance titled Kokkinia here in 1979. Her censored film also resulted from this. Artist Mary Zygouri started a long-term project. She worked with the local community and addressed the economic and social crisis in Greece. Zygouri presented her work in a performance and film during Documenta 14.
The leaders and members of the Security Battalions were involved. They were never convicted by the Greek state. The \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial stands as a reminder of this injustice.
Walking through the \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial today remember the stories of resistance. Consider the fragility of freedom. May this place inspire us. May it ensure that such atrocities never happen again. The \u039c\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1 \u039c\u03c0\u03bb\u03cc\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u039a\u03bf\u03ba\u03ba\u03b9\u03bd\u03b9\u03ac\u03c2 Memorial remains a symbol of resilience. It is a testament to the enduring human spirit.