Three Years in Tembi: Maria Karystianou at Syntagma - 'They Did Not Want Me to Speak'
Maria Karystianou attended a rally in Syntagma marking three years since the tragic train accident in Tembi, where she expressed her disappointment at not being allowed to speak.
On the occasion of the three-year anniversary of the tragic train accident in Tembi that claimed 57 lives, a significant rally was held in Syntagma Square, attended by various relatives and supporters. Among them was Maria Karystianou, mother of victim Marthi, who had hoped to address the crowd about her daughter and the incident. However, after two hours at the event, she realized that the organizing committee had a predetermined agenda that did not include her speech, leading her to feel marginalized.
Maria expressed her feelings of exclusion by stating, "I felt they did not want me to speak," highlighting her frustration at not being given the opportunity to share her experience and call for accountability for the tragedy. She pointed out that other relatives were also present with the same intentions, suggesting an overarching issue of organization and communication within the advocacy community. This situation has illuminated tensions within groups advocating for the victimsβ families and has raised concerns about how these commemorative events are structured.
Despite the setback, Maria still aimed to convey a poignant message of resilience, saying, "We constantly prove through actions like today that light can overcome darkness." Her statement reflects a determined spirit among the families of victims who are committed to ensuring that such tragedies are acknowledged and addressed appropriately, emphasizing the need for continual remembrance and action to honor those lost in the Tembi disaster.