Archaeologist Stavros Paspalas is set to enlighten Tasmanian audiences on the impact of World War II on Greece’s ancient and medieval treasures in an upcoming lecture as part of Hobart’s Estia Greek Festival.
The talk will take place on 12 February at the Greek Community of Tasmania’s premises, The Greek Club, wherein Dr Paspalas will share insights into the titled topic ‘The Fate of the Antiquities of Greece During WWII’.
Many are familiar with the destructive nature of war and the devastation it incurs in terms of great human loss, though what is less known is how it impacts culture (and the physical items that represent it).
Dr Paspalas’ lecture will shed light on that subject, specifically addressing the attitudes of the occupying forces of Germany, Italy and Bulgaria towards Greece’s cultural heritage, the role of antiquities in shaping national identity, and the efforts by Greek authorities to protect these treasures.
It will further highlight what indeed happened to the antiquities over the course of WWII, using case studies to illustrate the central topic, sharing what was lost, what was saved and the stories behind all of it.
