1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates Its Freedom
- by XpatAthens
- Thursday, 25 July 2024
July 23 – October 28, 2024, Arts Center, Parko Eleftherias
On July 22nd the grand historical exhibition "1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates Its Freedom" was presented for the first time to journalists, in the presence of the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas. This unique exhibition honors both landmark anniversaries for the city and the country: the 50 years since the restoration of democracy in 1974 and the 80 years since the liberation of Athens from Nazi occupation in 1944.
Designed and implemented by the Technopolis City of Athens in collaboration with the Contemporary Social History Archives (ASKI), the General State Archives, and the Historical Archive of the City of Athens, the exhibition is hosted in a space of particular historical significance, in the heart of Athens. The Arts Center of the Culture, Sports & Youth Organization of the City of Athens (OPANDA) at Parko Eleftherias is located in the monumental area of the old detention centers of the EAT-ESA Administration, and now serves as an important cultural space, a hub of free speech, creativity, and cultural renaissance.
In his greeting, Mayor Haris Doukas emphasized, "Every discussion about the past concerns the present and cares for the future. This saying of historians is the starting point for the rich activities and events organized by the City of Athens on the occasion of two landmark anniversaries: 80 years since the liberation of Athens from Nazi occupation and 50 years since the restoration of democracy in 1974. We want Athens to celebrate, remember, learn, reflect, look at its history, and especially consider the future. Defending our democracy is everyone's business. I think we need to take from this year's anniversary the need for a collective effort to safeguard what has been achieved."
Conveying messages of optimism, the exhibition focuses on the feelings of joy and hope that these two great moments for Democracy and Freedom generated among Athenians, while also serving as the centerpiece of the rich program of anniversary events organized by the City of Athens throughout the city until November.
Mayor Haris Doukas and the attendees had the opportunity to tour the two main sections of the exhibition: "A Brief Breath of Freedom" and "The Great Moment of Democracy." Dedicated to the events of 1944 and 1974 respectively, they include more than 500 exhibits, including rare photographs, artworks, period newspapers, posters, proclamations, personal items, newsreels, and rich audiovisual archival material. The tour was conducted by Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the University of Athens and scientific director of the exhibition, Vangelis Karamanolakis, who provided a lively and narrative approach to the historical context of the two anniversaries, highlighting the details, aspects, and emotions that stem from the rare exhibits of the exhibition.
Mr. Karamanolakis stated, "The exhibition is dedicated to two unique moments in the 20th-century Greek history. Two moments in which Athens was at the center of developments and celebrations. Without conflating the two anniversaries, of 1944 and 1974, the exhibition seeks to highlight the common elements that characterized them, as well as to reflect on each historical context and the different burdens each carried, leading in one case to civil conflict and in the other to the foundation of the Third Hellenic Republic. A tribute to those who fought for freedom, a libation to the joy and hopes born from the days of the fall of Nazi Occupation and the seven-year dictatorship."
The exhibition "1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates Its Freedom" is open to the public from July 23 to October 28, 2024, with free admission.
The City of Athens honors these two significant milestones for the country's free and democratic course as well as the struggles of the Greek people for national independence, freedom, and democracy, organizing a rich program of events. Through various performances, artistic and educational activities spread across many landmarks of Athens and its numerous neighborhoods until next November, with free admission for most of them, the City highlights the living historical memory of the city while opening a necessary dialogue with our recent history.
Starting in September, the activities include lectures, discussions, screenings, guided tours for adults, special guided tours by the exhibition curators, educational programs, and an insert of contemporary dance and dance performances.
Designed and implemented by the Technopolis City of Athens in collaboration with the Contemporary Social History Archives (ASKI), the General State Archives, and the Historical Archive of the City of Athens, the exhibition is hosted in a space of particular historical significance, in the heart of Athens. The Arts Center of the Culture, Sports & Youth Organization of the City of Athens (OPANDA) at Parko Eleftherias is located in the monumental area of the old detention centers of the EAT-ESA Administration, and now serves as an important cultural space, a hub of free speech, creativity, and cultural renaissance.
In his greeting, Mayor Haris Doukas emphasized, "Every discussion about the past concerns the present and cares for the future. This saying of historians is the starting point for the rich activities and events organized by the City of Athens on the occasion of two landmark anniversaries: 80 years since the liberation of Athens from Nazi occupation and 50 years since the restoration of democracy in 1974. We want Athens to celebrate, remember, learn, reflect, look at its history, and especially consider the future. Defending our democracy is everyone's business. I think we need to take from this year's anniversary the need for a collective effort to safeguard what has been achieved."
Conveying messages of optimism, the exhibition focuses on the feelings of joy and hope that these two great moments for Democracy and Freedom generated among Athenians, while also serving as the centerpiece of the rich program of anniversary events organized by the City of Athens throughout the city until November.
Mayor Haris Doukas and the attendees had the opportunity to tour the two main sections of the exhibition: "A Brief Breath of Freedom" and "The Great Moment of Democracy." Dedicated to the events of 1944 and 1974 respectively, they include more than 500 exhibits, including rare photographs, artworks, period newspapers, posters, proclamations, personal items, newsreels, and rich audiovisual archival material. The tour was conducted by Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at the University of Athens and scientific director of the exhibition, Vangelis Karamanolakis, who provided a lively and narrative approach to the historical context of the two anniversaries, highlighting the details, aspects, and emotions that stem from the rare exhibits of the exhibition.
Mr. Karamanolakis stated, "The exhibition is dedicated to two unique moments in the 20th-century Greek history. Two moments in which Athens was at the center of developments and celebrations. Without conflating the two anniversaries, of 1944 and 1974, the exhibition seeks to highlight the common elements that characterized them, as well as to reflect on each historical context and the different burdens each carried, leading in one case to civil conflict and in the other to the foundation of the Third Hellenic Republic. A tribute to those who fought for freedom, a libation to the joy and hopes born from the days of the fall of Nazi Occupation and the seven-year dictatorship."
The exhibition "1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates Its Freedom" is open to the public from July 23 to October 28, 2024, with free admission.
The City of Athens honors these two significant milestones for the country's free and democratic course as well as the struggles of the Greek people for national independence, freedom, and democracy, organizing a rich program of events. Through various performances, artistic and educational activities spread across many landmarks of Athens and its numerous neighborhoods until next November, with free admission for most of them, the City highlights the living historical memory of the city while opening a necessary dialogue with our recent history.
Starting in September, the activities include lectures, discussions, screenings, guided tours for adults, special guided tours by the exhibition curators, educational programs, and an insert of contemporary dance and dance performances.