Two years ago, in the City of Thessaloniki, as the tradition goes, Oxi day was suppose to be commemorated with a military parade and the presence of the republic’s President. On the day of the parade, corruption and the looming economic crisis had taken a stranglehold over the country and people of Greece. Demonstrators had taken to the streets of the city, where an alarming sense of security for public safety and public officials was growing. The President of the Republic and other government officials decided not to participate, while the press reported that the demonstrators had forced the cancellation of the annual event. But someone forgot to inform the people of Thessaloniki, who turned out in record numbers. The demonstrations brought much needed attention to the threatening circumstances that have now enveloped Greece. Image courtesy of Vassiliki Eleftheriou.