In a climate of excitement, the unveiling of the monument “The Tree of the Souls – The Beginning” were held in Ermou and Piraeus Park (opposite Technopolis), in memory of the victims of the Tempi rail tragedy.

The monument was inspired by artist Maria Mandakis – who was applauded in the presentation – while his original idea and implementation are by George and Yiannis Santexis (by fire and iron IKE). The event, which was given by the “present” parents and relatives of victims, began with a minute’s silence, and shortly thereafter, the Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas took the floor.

“Yesterday’s mobilization was a promise to those who were unjustly lost, a promise of purification. Clearance and at the same time commitment. A commitment to the survivors of the tragedy and the families of the victims that they are not alone in the difficult path they are moving. We all said in the brave decision you made to give every spite of your power in the battle of truth. Consider as a sample of support and support in the battle you give this monument to the Municipality of Athens, the tree of souls, “the mayor of Athens initially said.

Mr Doukas emphasized that “we want the monument to be a reminder of tragedy and suffering but also the watering of responsibility and hope. To remind every rulers that the protection of the supreme good, human life, is not a coincidence. It is a daily struggle with dedication and seriousness. Mobilize every citizen not to give up the right to a better life safely. […] Nothing can blur the message. Justice, truth, never again. To ring our phone and our kids to say, “Mother I arrived, I’m fine, don’t worry,” he noted.

The speech was then taken by Anastasia Papangeli’s father, Elias Papagelis. “I am the father of Anastasia Papangelis who was killed in Tempi at the age of 18 by state sloppiness, state indifference to human life, and rabies for companies’ profits. They killed my child. This monument should be thought of by all those who have positions of responsibility. To know that by their actions and their decisions they influence human existence. Never again Tempi, ”said Papagelis

For his part, Pavlos Aslanidis emphasized that the beginning for the creation of the monument took place last year when “some crushes sent some and erased the names of the murdered in front of the House (ed: were the names written in red). In the morning the mayor took me, I knew it was not his own command, he apologized me
For what was done and promised a monument down in Athens. Thank you very much for keeping his promise, “said Mr. Aslanidis, Vice President of the Association of Relatives of Tempi, father of Dimitris, who lost his life in Tempe, at the age of 26.

In closing, Mr. Aslanidis said:

“Yesterday millions took to the streets around the world, all over the globe to seek the punishment of the perpetrators. State murders Tempi, in Mandra, in Mati, does not pay any of the politicians, protects them by the Constitution. We all believe that the impunity of politicians must stop, acquire rule of law and stop making monuments for murdered people »

Mrs Mirela Routsis said: “The memory of the victims of Tempi will live in every act of love and solidarity. This tree will withstand and remind us that the most important thing is to remain united. Let’s remain people to the end. “

Maria Mandakis, an artist who inspired the work, stressed: “We are in front of a monument of soul deposit. The 57 souls of our innocent fellow humans who are united with those of relatives and the nation are fluttering on the branches. Because for two years we all became a soul that mourns and a voice seeking justice. “

Mr. Ioannis Santexis, who had the original idea and implemented the project, noted: “Your children became our children, and your relatives. We have planted a tree today to bring the oxygen that we miss, so as not to forget the 57 victims and the injured of the Tempi. “