“I cannot but think and act as a free individual”
— Kostas Georgakis
Monument of Kostas Georgakis in Corfu. The inscription reads in Greek: He self immolated in Genoa Italy on 19 September 1970 for Freedom and Democracy in Greece. In the lower part his words are inscribed: I cannot but think and act as a free individual.
Kostantino Georgakis was born in Corfu on Aug 23, 1948 and died in Genoa (Italy) on Sept 19, 1970. He set himself alight on Piazza Garibaldi as a cry for freedom and democracy of Greece. There are some of his last words, as recorded in a letter to a friend: "I am certain that sooner or later the European people will understand that a fascist regime as the one is Greece which relies on tanks represents not only an offence to their dignity as free men but also a continuing menace to Europe. Since I have no other choice in this situation, I don't want my action to be considered heroic. On the other hand, maybe it would serve as a wake up call to someone who will look closely at (what is going on) in this time of our lives."
1 comment:
Any relation to the famous Georgakis clan of 36th Street in Astoria?
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