The Pindus mountain range in northwestern Greece was the scene of intense conflict during World War II, and a number of war monuments are scattered across the rugged topography. This paper is a report on an ongoing study of these monuments. The authors bring a multidisciplinary focus (art historical, historical, philological, rhetorical and social theoretical) to bear on the topic. They find that the monuments vary greatly in a number of categories. Chief among these is what or whom the monuments commemorate: topics include Greek victories, victims of Nazi atrocities, and other individuals or groups who played some role in the war, including the Communist resistance army. Another important category is the visual style of the monuments. This ranges from modest stone built cones, through poured concrete abstractions to monumental representational sculptures. Related to style, each monument includes one or more inscriptions which provide context for interpretation. The authors also analyze evidence for how the different monuments are currently received or perceived. Some show signs of recent ritual activity, such as wreaths and remnants of candles, while others appear to be neglected. Other important categories the authors consider include when and by whom the monuments were constructed and dedicated, and where they are located. Based on the evidence across these categories, the authors argue that the different monuments not only prioritize different visions of what is worthy of remembrance, but also present different, potentially oppositional senses of modern Greek history and national identity.
About the presentersChristopher J Richter
Research interests include social theory, democracy, and construction of meaning around Greece