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Forum for Modern Language Studies 2008 44(2):140-154; doi:10.1093/fmls/cqn009
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© The Author (2008). Published by Oxford University Press for the Court of the University of St Andrews. All rights reserved

Commemorating World War II in Northern Greece: Controversy and Reconsideration

Iro Katsaridou

Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Thessaloniki
3 Dardanellion Street
544 54 Thessaloniki
Greece

Anastasia Kontogiorgi

Department of History and Archaeology
University of Ioannina
16 Grig. Palama Street
546 22 Thessaloniki
Greece


  Abstract

This article seeks to examine the World War II memorials that were commissioned by the Greek state and other public institutions in Komotini, a city in Western Thrace, as well as their ambiguous reception during the last three decades. It focuses particularly on "The Sword", a memorial that was erected during the years of the Greek military dictatorship (1967–1974) to honour the victims of World War II who gave their lives for their country. It sheds light on the process behind the creation of "The Sword", analysing also its artistic style and visual references in connection with the historical conditions of its creation. The article also considers the recent dispute surrounding the function and aesthetics of the monument, and alternative forms of memorialisation erected in the area in the last decade.

Key Words: Greece • Komotini • Western Thrace • Greek military dictatorship • "Sword" • memorialisation • World War Two • Holocaust • Metaxas' dictatorship • lieux de mémoire

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland: No. SC013532


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