Forty-four years after the heroic uprising at the Athens Polytechnic, it is time for us to completely reconsider what is euphemistically called the celebration of the anniversary.

We have managed, as is often the case in Greece unfortunately, not only to obliterate any concept of historical memory, but also to trivialise and degrade the struggle of a few thousand university students who saved the honour of an entire nation.

The Polytechnic uprising is not an establishment celebration, nor is it just another chance for those occupying buildings, anti-authority elements, and all manner of after the fact revolutionaries to demonstrate their presence.

Yet, this is exactly what has been happening for many years, essentially without anyone reacting, with the pretext that we are honouring those who struggled or sacrificed themselves.

The celebration ended up representing an annual opportunity either for hooligans to vent their anger or for politicians to wash away their sins.

It is not a demonstration of historical memory to lay wreaths or to have grand statements against the junta from politicians and politicos who have no relation whatsoever to the uprising of a minority of students.

The annual march on the American Embassy has become a quaint event that directly contradicts official government policy.

It is irrational for everyone to turn a blind eye as a few dozen anti-authority activists to occupy the historic building of the Polytechnic.

The once robust student movement has lost its credibility as it was subjected to partisan control and evolved into a means of personal political advancement.

University rectors, who are also hostage to partisan and intra-university balances, look on each year without resolve, and indifferent to the increasing debasement of the celebration.

It is time to stop this parody of a celebration. Not only does it not honour the uprising and its leading divs, but it repels the few who insist on truly respecting and honouring this struggle.

Perhaps that would be the best way to honour this supreme act of resistance