A concert to protest the commercial development of the old American base was held at the Hellenic Marine Research Institute’s Amphitheater in Gournes with music groups from the student body and the teachers’ association of the Iraklion Music and Art Schools participating to present us with a very entertaining evening.

From the Iraklion Music School, the 43% Burnt rock band appeared, featuring the Argirokastriti sisters; also a classical group featuring the Kapsetaki sisters and Mary Argirokastriti; and a traditional group featuring Mihali Mbelivani, Vangeli Litina and Niko Tsakountaki.

43% Burnt

From the Iraklion Art School, the group Black Tears rocked on, featuring Yianni Gerousi, Hristo Fournari and Alexandro Hantzako while Maria Alexaki and Kallia Spirithaki from the Music School’s teachers’ association gave the Latin music lovers some mucho gusto moments.

Black Tears

The event began with a salutation from Mr. Hristo Arvanitithi from the Hellenic Marine Research Institute, and then I followed with the program announcement.

Also, Mayor Yiorgos Nikolakakis took a brief stand on the issues, as did Mr. Dimitris Papahristos who was the special guest of the Gouves Association Development and Environment.

 Mr. Papahristos – the broadcaster at the horrific events at Polytechnic in November of 1973 – is a noted journalist and author, and an active and combatant citizen who contributed the political hue to the evening, and reminded everyone that the base property is an area which must remain the property of the people, and that no one has the right to use it for speculative reasons, in the name of “development.”

Mr. Dimitris Papahristos

 Mr. Dimitri Souliotaki’s statement followed in the same spirit. He is a member of the committee Fight to maintain the public character of the base.

The event was supported by the Parents and Guardians Associations of the Music and Art Schools, the Hellenic Marine Research Institute which gave the use of its hall gratis, the Gournes Association Development and Environment, the committee Fight to keep the public character of the base property and the Super Markets Halkiathaki.

It is a fact that on the base property, as its uses have evolved, priorities and emphasis must be given to the social needs: education, health, culture, athletics, and research and green areas.

It would be terrific, if all those who plan grand investment schemes, would finally realize that we are not obliged as citizens to live in the climate of pre-Revolutionary France (before 1789) and must center finally, and for the most part, on the citizens’ needs we have mentioned.

 
Mrs. Kallia Spyrithaki (left) and Mrs. Maria Alexaki