Visible Past is an international project funded by the European Union (call “European Remembrance CERV-2023-Citizens-Rem”) and it involves five European partners: Consorzio Brianteo Villa Greppi (Italy), the University of Coimbra and Contextos (Portugal), Sapere Aude (Austria) and Artifactory (Greece).
It is a public history project based on the assumption that through the dissemination of historical events that marked the 20th century it is possible to make the past “visible” thanks to:
- Historical dissemination, a tool for understanding analogies and differences with the present;
- ∙ Visits to significant places for the history of 20th-century, to observe, today, tangible and intangible signs from the past; ∙ Cultural productions and artistic performances, to breathe the spirit of the past times.
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Project duration:
1 March 2024 – 28 February 2026
For two years - 2024 and 2025 - Visible Past will see the network working together and in parallel on training for students and teachers (with the creation of specific educational materials) and on initiatives for the public along three main lines:
- the rise of authoritarian regimes and the fragile path towards democracy experienced in several Mediterranean European countries, focusing in particular on the fascist period in Italy, the colonels' regime in Greece and the dictatorial regime known as Estado Novo. In this regard, the project was born on the occasion of three anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal (25 April 2024) and of the fall of the colonels' regime in Greece (24 July 2024) and the 80th anniversary of the liberation from Nazi-fascism in Italy (25 April 2025)
- the memory of Shoah;
- the organization of a festival of European culture at Villa Greppi, scheduled for 2025.
Traces of history
“Where Is the Third Republic Going? Podcast of the book presentation by Professor of Political Science and History at Panteion University, Dimitris Christopoulos
The book presentation event of “Where Is the Third Republic Going? Climate, Social Justice, and Democracy in the Era of Crises” was successfully held on Wednesday, May 1st, at the bookstore-café Simoun.
Interview with Dimitris Christopoulos, Greek academic, writer and activist
This interview by Elpida Margariti, took place as part of the event and book presentation Where Is the Metapolitefsi Heading? Climate, Social Justice, and Democracy in the Era of Crises," held successfully on Wednesday, May 1st 2024, at Simoun Bookstore Café. The book was published to mark the 50th anniversary of the fall of the Colonels' dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in Greece.
Interview with Athanasios Alatas
Thanasis Alatas, journalist and composer, General Secretary of the Union of Magazine and Electronic Press Journalists, and founding member of the cultural organization Kallichoron, engages in a conversation with economic historian Elpida Margariti on the occasion of the exhibition "Polytechnic 1973: With the Distance of Time*
Successful Conclusion of the "Polytechnic Calling" Events as Part of the Visible Past Project
Artifactory, in collaboration with the Music School of Preveza, the Preveza Film Club, and the Cultural Association "Kallichoron," successfully organized a series of memory and cultural events to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising. These events were held within the framework of the Visible Past project, with the warm support of the Municipality of Preveza and hosted at the Municipal Gallery "Giannis Moralis."
Interview with Melpo Lekatsa
Melpo Lekatsa was 20 years old in 1973. As a pharmacy student, she witnessed the events at the Law School up close. According to her, she went underground, was on the run for months, cut off from her parents, and participated in the Polytechnic uprising.
She was responsible for the pharmacy that had been set up inside the Polytechnic, tending to the injured—friends and fellow protesters. Afterward, she went back into hiding. Her struggle to avoid arrest by the military police (EAT-ESA) ended on December 24, 1973, when she was captured. She spent three and a half months in prison, fighting to survive—and she did.
In this interview, she speaks on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in our country.
Journeys through history
Paths through remembrance
Book Presentation: "The Metaxas Regime's Fascist Experiment in Greek Society (1936-1941)"
The event, held at Simoun Bookstore Café on November 16, was an evening of deep reflection and stimulating dialogue. The talks by distinguished speakers Rosa Vassilaki, Haris Kalampokis, Ilias Skoulidas, and Giorgos Souvlis shed light on various aspects of the Metaxas regime's efforts to fascistize Greek society during the period from 1936 to 1941.
The discussion highlighted critical themes such as nationalism, propaganda, anti-parliamentary ideology, and biopolitics, explored through the analysis of rare primary sources. The audience engaged actively, posing questions and sharing thoughts on the lasting impact of this period on Greek society.
Interview with Rosa Vassilaki
Rosa Vassilaki, who holds a PhD in History (EHESS) and Sociology (University of Bristol), engages in a discussion with historian Dimitris Totsos on the occasion of the book "The Metaxas Regime's Fascist Experiment in Greek Society (1936-1941)."
This collective volume analyzes Ioannis Metaxas' attempt to fascistize Greek society, examining both ideological and institutional influences drawn from other authoritarian practices of the interwar period, such as nationalism, anti-parliamentarianism, propaganda, and biopolitics.
Interview with Giorgos Souvlis
Giorgos Souvlis, researcher and PhD holder from the European University Institute in Florence, engages in a discussion with historian Dimitris Totsos on the occasion of the book "The Metaxas Regime's Fascist Experiment in Greek Society (1936-1941)."
This collective volume analyzes Ioannis Metaxas' attempt to fascistize Greek society, examining both ideological and institutional influences drawn from other authoritarian practices of the interwar period, such as nationalism, anti-parliamentarianism, propaganda, and biopolitics.