A 48-hour strike called by the art unions took place all over Greece on February 1-2, with massive demonstrations taking place in many cities on Thursday, February 1  and a big rally in Athens in front of the Greek Parliament.

“We strike for the studies and the salaries we deserve” read the banner of the National Association of Musicians and for 2 days all places of culture went silent. Theatres, music stages and conservatories were closed. Filming of TV series was stopped.

The artists, the students of the art schools, the students of the music and art schools declared that they will not step back from their needs. With their numerous and dynamic presence, with their colourful banners and songs, they demanded the repeal of the unacceptable Presidential Decree 85/2022 and its amendment, which essentially is downgrading the degrees of the art schools.

The massive participation in the Strike and in the rallies, with the solidarity of the class unions made it clear that they will no longer tolerate this grim reality in the field of artistic professional activity, highlighting their constant demand for a substantial upgrade of artistic studies and the creation of public art schools of university level, as well as Collective Labour Agreements with conditions that allow them to make a living from the practice of their art.

“The state is humiliating culture, we must put a stop to its decrees”, stated the students of the Drama School of the National Theatre, which is still under occupation, as also are under occupation most National Theater Schools.

The artists are escalating with new strike on February 8, the day the deadline given by the teachers of the Drama School of the National Theatre, that they would resign as a whole if “there is no sign of a positive solution to the issue”.

Photos https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAqBV4