Maro Douka, born in 1947, makes the protagonist of her novel “Ancient Rust” (1979) take part in riot of the Polytechnic University and to share without hesitation the passion of the days, but never to be distracted from her individual history.

The protagonist lives between wear and tear, as what she needs to reconcile (and will never reconcile) is the fighting spirit and team spirit of resistance shown by the anti-junta generation and all that followed and succeeded its downfall: mindless individualization, the return to softness and the entrenchment of established social roles, the admission that in the end everything declines and dies. Here, however, is the time of faith and fighting excitement, which allows no second thoughts.

“The hospital sirens sounded. He came and stood before the gate. It was marked on the tires by the Police from Polytechniou Street, from the Acropolis Palace by the snipers, the elite Security Forces. They carried the injured on makeshift stretchers. We opened space and looked at them. A girl next to me started crying, she was shouting that she can’t see blood. A boy pushed her aside, and she continued that she didn’t understand how she got in here. He came down, he says, in the afternoon to see what was going on. Athena hummed and came down. She sees her classmate Pullia, and entered the arena. And as soon as they tell them the news, the police start firing tear gas, where should he go? He waited for things to calm down, instead, they got worse. And here you are now in here, wild midnight. Her parents will die from their agony. He had told them he was coming down to buy a record. But where is she now?

She went to burst serious and frightened; the more I looked at her, the more I pitied her. She looked stunned by everything that was happening before her eyes. I hugged her and told her: don’t be afraid, you are safe in here. The boy from nearby is also coming. He comforts her that we’re guarding the bars hard – we’re a division of souls who won’t let them through.

We have been informed that tanks have started moving in the direction of the Polytechnic, however we believe that this is intimidation and terrorism.

The asphyxiants they threw were the proof that they have lost their temper. They wanted to panic and disperse the thousands of people who were supporting us. With the extent of the occupation, the impact it has, it will be as if they are digging their own hole if they attack us. And generally our duty, this night, to hope. Fascism dies tonight and we believe it.

At 11:30, I could not imagine the end of this night. They sing the National Anthem. The Red Cross cars have difficulty stopping in front of the door due to the shooting. Up high, on the roof of the concierge there are still children.”