The photos are from the occupation of the building in Acharnon Heyden in Athens a year after its launch in March 1990, the Neoclassical building build in 1862 in the times of post junta era housed the second high school for boys. Known as Villa Amalia, the occupation is a symbol of resistance and contestation generation ideology outside the dominant structures. Back in 1991 there lived about 15 young people with the vision of self-determination by concerts and planting vegetables in the back garden. By the time turned into a "alternative cultural center" of always degraded area. Beyond anti-uthoritarian Anti-fascist stigma of occupation, and punk music in general was a key component of its identity and so in a specially designed building hosted many bands of European punk scene and music documentary screenings, theater performances and exhibitions .
PHOTOS:Gerasimos Dominikos
Between Victoria Square and St. Panteleimon, the Villa Amalia had a strong presence in the events of the neighborhood, was actively involved in solving problems but mainly cared defended and hosted groups of immigrants accepted daily attacks from fascist groups that roamed the area so soon can itself become a target. Culminating in the arson attack in May 2008 that destroyed a part of the façade. Although never had particular problems with the police, twenty years after special forces evacuated the area and made eight arrests, followed by another hundred or so, in an attempt to retake shortly after. The City of Athens announced that the building would serve as a school again. For now surrounded by barbed wire. Many say that one of the reasons for the increasing influence of the Golden Dawn in those neighborhoods is the absence of Villa Amalia. Let's wait for history to judge this.
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