Greeks in Central Europe between the 15th and 20th Century

The project “Greeks in Central Europe between the 15th and 20th Centuries” seeks to understand the 500 years of coexistence between the Greeks and the peoples of Central Europe (including Serbia and Austria) and its role in the transformations of the world, paying particular attention to the relationship of the Greek minority or diaspora across different historical contexts, linguistic areas, cultures, and religions. The project provides a key to a comprehensive understanding of the Greek presence, identity and influence in Central Europe from the Fall of Constantinople (1453), through the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence (1821) and the subsequent establishment of the Greek state until the fall of totalitarian regimes in Central Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The project was put together by a team of experts comprised primarily of Modern Greek and Classical philologists and historians from the V4 countries, Serbia, Austria and Italy, with the aim of discussing the “Greek question” as comprehensively as possible in the appropriate historical and cultural context. One of its long-term objectives is to establish a research exchange network across Central European countries in order to share the results of the research and enable effective cooperation between academic and cultural centres.

A joint workshop held from 21st to 23rd September 2022 at the OZ IKONY Gallery Centre in Žilina, Slovakia, was the very first event, post 1989, at which experts in the field of post-Byzantine and Modern Greek studies from academic institutions of the V4 countries, Serbia, Austria and Italy will be able to exchange their experience and insights. The organisers had invited scholars to exchange information on the state of research in each country and draw up an initial outline of a future major joint international publication, teaching strategies and common research, and to inform the general public about the results of the research.

The main goal of the project is to develop and consolidate cooperation within the V4 and other countries and strengthen awareness of a common history in Central Europe.

The workshop programme

The workshop programme with CVs and abstracts