Photos and text by Bronwyn Cragg, RY-JM correspondent in Europe
From September 23rd to September 25th, 2021, the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE) held the 47th edition of its Odigitis Festival in Athens. The festival, which runs annually in several Greek cities and towns, celebrates communist and Greek culture, music, arts, and history. The YCL-LJC was proud to send a delegate to Odigitis Festival and its International City.
Despite the pandemic, the festival continued with great success, seeing a record number of attendees. Strict health measures were undertaken, including mandatory social distancing, the use of masks, increased cleaning and sanitary measures, and the expansion of the festival grounds by 30%.
This year’s Odigitis Festival featured a robust book fair, political speeches and debates, children’s programming, comedy, traditional and modern Greek music, and spaces dedicated to young workers and students. Numerous communist youth organizations were represented at the festival’s International City, and a nearby exhibition was held celebrating 150 years of the Paris Commune. Two particular highlights of the festival programming were the tribute concerts to the late composer and communist Mikis Theodorakis, whose works were performed by George Dalaras and Maria Fatantouri throughout the festival weekend.
The closing ceremony of the Odigitis Festival featured speeches from KNE General Secretary Nikos Abatielos, and KKE leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas. Both speeches emphasized the importance of the fight against fascism in Greece, denounced the inhuman US blockade of Cuba, and explored the unique issues of workers and young people presented by COVID-19 in the capitalist world.
Videos from the 47th Odigitis Festival may be viewed here (in Greek). Excerpts from the speech of KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas may be read here.
