Spyros Tzokas—academic, author, and former mayor of Kaisariani—is featured on the Voice of Greece program “Remarkable Personalities”, hosted by Stavroula Karali, on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, at 22:00 (Athens time).
Drawing on his books “The Cycle of Futile Acts” (Evmaros Publications) and “One Long Night” (Synchroni Epohi Publications), Tzokas traces the life of Napoleon Soukatzidis, from his early years in Asia Minor to his execution by German forces on 01 May 1944 at the Kaisariani Shooting Range.
Educated and multilingual, Soukatzidis was an active figure in the labor and political movements of his time. As Tzokas notes, he lived “a life laid waste”—a journey marked by displacement, persecution, imprisonment, and exile, culminating in his execution at just 35 years old.
A central focus of the discussion is Soukatzidis’ ultimate act of moral courage. Despite having the option, as an interpreter, to be exempted from execution, he refused to be replaced by another prisoner, choosing instead to stand alongside his 199 fellow detainees until the end.
Tzokas also recounts the final night at the Haidari camp—transformed into a poignant act of collective dignity—as well as the events that unfolded in the streets of Kaisariani in the aftermath of the execution.
The conversation further brings to light lesser-known aspects of that tragic May Day of 1944, offering new insights into what followed the execution of the 200 at Kaisariani.
Produced and presented by Stavroula Karali
Sound: Giorgos Kostopoulos
Broadcast: Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 22:00–23:00 (Athens time)
