HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE / TRANSPORTATION
Polytechnic opens its doors to commemorate 49th anniversary of student uprising - traffic advisory
The National Technical University of Athens opened its doors on Tuesday for a 3-day celebration to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the uprising. On Tuesday, November 15th, and on Wednesday, November 16th, the gates will remain open from 08:30 until 21:00. On Thursday, November 17th, the day of the anniversary, the gates will open at 08:30 and close at 13:00.
The National Technical University of Athens opened its doors on Tuesday for a 3-day celebration to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the uprising. On Tuesday, November 15th, and on Wednesday, November 16th, the gates will remain open from 08:30 until 21:00. On Thursday, November 17th, the day of the anniversary, the gates will open at 08:30 and close at 13:00.
The NTUA Senate invites the university community, young people and all citizens to participate in the anniversary events.
"On November 1973, the National Technical University of Athens was at the centre of expression of young people's anguish and their struggle for education, democracy and freedom. Today it must remain a space for the free movement of ideas, respect for different views, resistance to any lack of democracy and the imposition of opinions and behaviors. This is the timeless message of the Polytechnic rebellion, this must be highlighted in the way it is celebrated, and this is today the collective and individual responsibility of the members of the Polytechnic community", the Senate's announcement stated.
As the NTUA noted, the vindication of the students' struggle 49 years ago is reflected in the progress of the Greek university and the well-being of the country.
Motorists in Athens will be better off staying put on Thursday as police shut down key roads in the city center in a major security operation for the anniversary of the November 17, 1973 student uprising against the military dictatorship.
Restrictions will begin at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and until 6 a.m. on Friday, with a ban on parking all around the historic Athens Polytechnic building, where the uprising was centered.
On Thursday, vehicles will be banned entirely from circulating in most parts of the city center starting at 12 noon, including on Omonia and Syntagma squares, Panepistimiou, Stadiou and Akadimias streets, Vassilis Sofias and Alexandras avenues in their entirety, and other thoroughfares.
The area around the US Embassy is also mostly off-bounds, as the customary protest march has been organized from the center on Thursday afternoon.
Parts of Kifissias and Mesogeion avenues will also be affected as traffic is prevented from entering the city center.
How long roads will be closed will be determined by the progress of the protest rallies and marches that are being planned for the occasion.
Buses and trolley buses will also be affected, while metro stations are expected to be shut down on the route of the main marches.
