A brief chronicle of a significant moment in the Greek Revolution and European history: nine days before and two days after the Exit of Messolonghi through the eyes of a teenager, Markos, the Gelektis, who was forcibly pushed into adulthood during those days of April 1826.

"Based on the testimonies of fighters (mainly of Kasomoulis and Spyromilios), we follow the flow of events leading to an escalation of hunger, loss, sorrow, heroism, true innocence, and simultaneously the mythical brutality experienced by the heroes and heroines of the Exit.

All characters apart from Markos and Angelos are historical, and many dialogues are quoted verbatim, as recorded. Even the storyteller, Lias, is a real person. As for the Gelektis, the teenagers who almost all lost their lives for freedom, they are, for me, the bravest of the brave.

They remind us of epic heroes from magical fairy tales who march straight ahead on paths with no return. They never lose heart, they never surrender, they never commit suicide.

In a world that is transforming but human suffering reigns supreme, let us keep them in our memory. As long as we memorialize them, they remain alive and we become more authentic, more generous, more courageous, in other words, "alive".

L. L.