Athens demonstrating
Athens, square of Constitution,
The heart of every demonstration and revolution…
Locals call it the Syntagma Square…..
It was a hot summer when I was there
the year two thousand and eleven….
Smoke from Molotovs and tear gas was hiding
[the vault of heaven.
After violent clashes protesters fled,
abandoning demands for work and bread.
Also the police withdrew fast…
I stayed there, I was the last…
Standing and gazing at the old palace,
suddenly a tourist girl, Shannon from Dallas,
(seemed old time, old fashion)
asked me what was this mansion.
I answered, this building and this square,
is directly connected with love…
…you beware,
because the "winged cupid" preys on.
Eagerly she asked me "please go on".
I told her that this was the palace of a besieged queen ..
(It was like seeing both of us a projection screen)
This beauty, Queen Amalia, was the jewel of the palace,
nicknamed Crown of the North, or Corona Borealis.
In a ball at the royal court,
she fell in love with a Cavalry Colonel Kallergis, in short….
The noble origin officer handed his heart without a fight,
in the blueblood queen with the blue eyes and bright ...
They accused her the most sinful of her time.
Unfairly, it was just a platonic* love and not a crime.
Fate has drawn them apart..
Duty unfortunately must betray the heart…
Her beloved Colonel, with his cavalry besieged the palace ..
He blamed the king Otto for spitefulness and malice ..
Thousands of people stood by the brave officer ..
The king pressed on, constitution to offer.
Although this was the only solution,
King Otto shouted: "No Constitution" !
and ordered his chief-battery, major “Skinas” to open fire.
The Colonel drew his sword and yelled: "Constitution Now Sire"*
The order of “Skinas” sounded to Otto incomprehensible,
but for the Greek gunners the order was very understandable ...
They turned the cannons against the palace and the Κing….
The Queen mentally said goodbye to Colonel,
[by kissing his gift, a golden ring….
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Texts and Narration: Odysseus Heavilayias - ROTTERDAM //
Language adjustments and text adaptation: Kellene G Safis - CHICAGO//
Digital adaptation and text editing: Cathy Rapakoulia Mataraga - PIRAEUS
Νο: 7
_______________ The above story was inspired by the work of George Roussos "Queen Amalia" Series "Queen Amalia" written by George Russos (1975)
Plot: Fall 1839 in Athens. Long ball of the palace, the Queen Amalia, meets with Colonel Kallergis.
This meeting is the beginning of a great rapport, which will quickly evolve into love.
Amalia tries to advise Otto remove their advisors keep him away from the people and their problems and irresolute king subjugated slowly in strong personality, giving the part of his power.
While in the army but there is resentment over autocratic administration of the Bavarians and Athens popular effervescence, Amalia,
Series "Queen Amalia" expected with great impatience
of the television audience. From the most popular TV programs of the season 1975-1976. The history of the series, in the form of photo-romance, published in the weekly magazine "Maria Lena" for 46 weeks. Is not saved in the file.
________________________________
* Platonic love, An emotional and spiritual relationship between a couple that does not involve sexual desire.
* Sire, -archaic- A respectful form of address for someone of high social status, especially a king.
* Otto, was a Bavarian prince who became the first modern King of Greece in 1832 under the Convention of London. He reigned until his deposition in 1862.
* Amalia of Oldenburg was queen consort of Greece from 1836 to 1862 as the spouse of King Otto .
As the daughter of Duke Paul Frederick Augustus of Oldenburg (later Grand Duke of Oldenburg), she was born a duchess of Oldenburg, though that title was never used in Greece.
When she arrived in Greece in 1837, she at first won the hearts of the Greeks with her refreshing beauty. After the Queen became more politically involved, however, she became the target of harsh attacks — and her image suffered further as she proved unable to provide an heir. She and her husband were expelled from Greece in 1862, after an uprising. She spent the rest of her years in exile in Bavaria.
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