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British Embassy Athens launches The Venizelos Library Talks

The Venizelos Library Talks are a new series of lectures focusing on Greek-British relations through the prism of history, culture and philosophy.

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HMA Kate Smith wide shot image 1

The British Embassy Athens launches in 2019 a new series of lectures – The Venizelos Library Talks.

Hosted in the library of the eminent Greek 20th century statesman, Eleftherios Venizelos, within the British Residence, this initiative aims at highlighting issues that reflect on the long-standing historic relationship between Greece and the UK, through the prism of history, culture and philosophy.

The Venizelos Library Talks will feature leading researchers and professionals from across academia who will share their knowledge of Greek-British relations with guests, over a series of lectures that will take place throughout the year.

The first two talks were delivered in February and March:

15 February: Staying in the Game: Britain and Political Warfare in the Balkans, 1941-1944

A lecture by Professor Ioannis Stefanidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – School of Law.

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In his lecture, Professor Stefanidis discussed British public diplomacy in Greece and the Balkans during World War II, focusing on the under-studied subject of British Propaganda to the Balkans during that time and how it affected the region.

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HMA Kate Smith at Stephanidis talk image 4

22 March: Britain and Greece: From the Collapse of the Interwar Order to the Second World War 1933-1941

A lecture by Dr. Sotiris Rizas, Director of Research at the Modern Greek History Research Centre of the Academy of Athens.

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Dr. Rizas gave a detailed analysis of the events that led up to World War II and Greek-British relations during that time.

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British Ambassador Kate Smith CMG welcomed this initiative, emphasizing the historic and cultural ties between Greece and the United Kingdom.

The Venizelos Library Talks are open to guests upon invitation. If you are interested in attending the next talk, please send us an email at information.athens@fco.gov.uk.

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Published 4 April 2019