Athens Celebrates its Freedom with New Photo Exhibition

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas at the “1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates Its Freedom” exhibition. Photo source: Athens Municipality

“1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates its Freedom”, is the title of a new exhibition in the Greek capital to commemorate two significant anniversaries: 50 years since the fall of the junta in 1974 and 80 years since the end of Nazi occupation in 1944.

The exhibition, which is open to the public, opened July 23 and will run until October 23. It will showcase 500 items, including rare photographs, newspapers, posters, personal items, artifacts, and multimedia documentaries from 80 and 50 years ago.

Organized by the Technopolis City of Athens and the Contemporary Social History Archives (ASKI), the exhibition will be displayed at the Arts Center of the Municipality of Athens at Freedom Park (Parko Eleftherias), the former site of the Military Police detention center.

Athens’ mayor, Haris Doukas. Photo source: Athens Municipality

The “1974 & 1944: Athens Celebrates its Freedom” exhibition was previewed for journalists on July 22 in the presence of Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.

During the event, Mayor Doukas said the municipality is planning activities and events for the milestone anniversaries.

“Every discussion about the past relates to the present and looks toward the future… We want Athens to celebrate, remember, learn, reflect on its history, and, most importantly, think about the future,” he said.

In addition to the exhibition, the Municipality of Athens will host several events through November to commemorate the significant anniversaries.

Technopolis President Kostis Papaioannou highlighted that the importance of the two anniversaries.

“We want to remember October 1944, when the people of Athens took to the streets despite the looming civil war. Similarly, we recall the joy of July 1974, when the junta fell, despite the tragic events in Cyprus. In both instances, people celebrated the end of fascism.”

Photo source: Athens Municipality

Vangelis Karamanolakis, a University of Athens professor responsible for the exhibition’s scientific integrity, described it as dedicated to two pivotal moments in 20th-century Greek history.

“It honors all those who fought for freedom, serving as a tribute to the joy and hope that emerged when the Nazi occupation of Athens ended and the seven-year junta came to a close,” he said.