The National Historical Museum inaugurates the second part of the exhibition “From Greater… to Contemporary Greece”, which follows the completion of the nation’s formation in terms of borders and population. Subtitled “The Refugees”, the exhibition focuses on the demographic configuration of Greece through the population movements over a century (1821-1923).

The aim of the exhibition is to present the refugee phenomenon as fully as possible, through the issues that have always concerned people who found themselves in the predicament of having to abandon their ancestral homes. Human stories illuminate facets such as forced flight, the difficulties of travel, reception, settlement, trauma management, integration in the new homeland, and memory. What they have in common are the timeless feelings of the persecuted people, fear and despair, the acceptance of destruction and loss, perseverance and endurance, the tenacity to survive. And at the same time, solidarity and support, the efforts of both compatriots and foreigners to help, but also the suspicion, indifference and hostility of many others.

The exhibition presents photographs, historical documents and objects from the Museum’s collections, accompanied by testimonies, quotes from sources and press articles. A large number of institutions and private individuals, perhaps the largest of any Museum exhibition, have donated archival documents and relics.

The exhibition was curated by Ms. Natasa Kastriti and Ms. Regina Katsimardou in collaboration with Ms. Iphigenia Vogiatzi, Ms. Androniki Markasioti and Ms. Anna Kandia.