Dr Stavros Paspalas to give lecture in Sydney on Greek antiquities during WWII

·

The Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, in collaboration with the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, is organising an event-lecture by Dr Stavros A Paspalas, entitled The Fate of the Antiquities of Greece during World War II.

In the framework of the commemorative events for OXI Day – the National Day dedicated to Greece’s resistance during WWII- this lecture aims to shed light on a relatively unknown, yet fascinating, aspect of modern Greek history.

Dr Stavros A. Paspalas.

Dr Stavros Paspalas explains: “There is no way to exaggerate the destructive nature of war and the price that must be paid by the societies caught up in its horrors. Clearly, the desperate toll paid in the currency of human loss and suffering is the greatest, and great human loss was exacted from Greece during World War II.

This lecture, however, focuses on how the country’s antiquities, ancient and mediaeval, fared during this period of upheaval, death and displacement. What were the attitudes of the occupying forces (German, Italian and Bulgarian) to Greece’s cultural heritage? How did the perceived role of Greece as one of the major sources of Western civilisation impact on the occupiers? How did the Greek authorities prepare during the run-up towards war? What was their stance during the subsequent Occupation? What symbolic role were the antiquities called to serve by the Greeks during these dark years? How did the antiquities themselves fare?

This presentation will look at a number of case studies against the backdrop of the Occupation in order to elucidate these and other questions, as well as to offer some explanation for what was lost and what was saved.”

Event Details:

  • November 27, 3 – 5pm
  • NSW Parliament House, Theatrette (6 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000)
  • The lecture will be held in English
  • Free admission
  • Registration essential: https://tinyurl.com/ycyb9exd

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Dr Christos Theologos: ‘Dance keeps us bound to our roots, from Chios to Sydney’

As part of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, respected folklorist Dr Christos Theologos will lead a series of lectures and workshops.

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

A second chance at life: Angelo Alateras’ journey from mechanical heart to transplant hope

After years on life support, 80kgs lost, and 615 days of physio, Angelo finally received the gift of a new heart.

You May Also Like

Giannis Antetokounmpo graffiti disgraced with Nazi symbols by vandals

Athenian vandals have disgraced a piece of graffiti of Giannis Antetokounmpo with multiple Nazi symbols, discovered by the public on Thursday.

New discovery moves dawn of Greek archaeology back by a quarter million years

The oldest archaeological site of Greece has been discovered in the southern part of the country, in an open coal mine rich with antiquities.

US and Cyprus to sign deal to fight financial crimes

The US and Cyprus have siigned a deal to formalise collaborations to fight money laundering, evasion of Russian sanctions and other crimes.