'Spitha' event takes place in Thessaloniki

More than 10.000 people responded to Mikis Theodorakis’ call and flooded Aristotelous square in Thessaloniki on Thursday. 

The municipality had asked  the famous Greek composer and leader of the Spitha (spark) anti-memorandum movement to choose another square, arguing that his protest would cause unnecessary disruption in the city's commercial center.

Theodorakis publicly denounced Thessaloniki mayor Boutaris' decision and declared his intention to occupy the square, which he did on Wednesday, challenging the municipal authorities to "dare throw him out".

In subsequent statements to the press Boutaris tried to tone down on the issue, stressing that he did not forbid the event, just asked for a different venue to be chosen, and went as far as to invite Theodorakis to a city council meeting.


On Thursday evening the dispute was finally concluded, with the event taking place peacefully in Aristotelous square and drawing a crowd of thousands of anti-austerity protesters.

The event began with speeches by Kostas Zouraris and Giorgos Kassimatis and Mikis Theodorakis’ speech followed soon after.

On May 31, Spitha had held a similar event in Athens at the entrance of the old university -Propylaia, where Theodorakis had drawn a crowd of over 50,000 people to his speech against the austerity measures. 

Theodorakis -  Aristotelous square on Wednesday

Thursday