The Society of Cretan Historical Studies and the Historical Museum of Crete celebrated the bicentenary of the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821 with a series of activities and presentations in physical and digital public space.
These events highlight the role of Crete in the Greek Revolution and the island’s connection with developments in mainland Greece and the world. To this end, the research undertaken by the team of young historians of the SCHS is combined with digital and material testimonies from the Collections of the Historical Museum of Crete.
The SCHS had planned the celebrations with the current health situation in mind, choosing to focus on open-air events in combination with digital activities. These events were held under the auspices of the Greece 2021 Committee.
More specifically:

CRETE 21.
1821 CRETE IN THE GREEK REVOLUTION
Open-air Temporary Exhibition
Under the auspices of the Greece 2021 Committee
Sponsor: Plastika Kritis S.A.

The open-air temporary exhibition CRETE 21 REVOLUTION. 1821 CRETE IN THE GREEK REVOLUTION is divided into thematic sections covering both the general framework of the Greek Revolution and the wider background of the time. Starting from pre-revolutionary conditions in Crete, the Ottoman Empire and the world, the exhibition focuses on the “revolutionary decade” of 1821-1830, highlighting that turbulent – and largely unknown to the general public – era of local history. The website www.Crete1821.gr and further information are available via a digital application for smart devices, using the QR code on the printed material. 

The Exhibition is set out in 14 covered wooden kiosks displaying printed images of a wealth of visual material from the Collections of the Historical Museum. It also includes a specially designed application for smart devices accessed by a QR code. The physical exhibition is designed by architect Vasia Stylianidi, while the digital application is designed by the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH).

The Exhibition opened in Eleftherias Square, Heraklion on 14 May 2021 (to 1 June 2021)  with the support of the Municipality of Heraklion. The Exhibition  traveled, with the support and coordination of the Region of Crete, in other cities of Crete, Hania (06-28 June 2021), followed by Rethymno (02 July-01 August 2021) and Ayios Nikolaos (06-30 August 2021). The Exhibition was open in Heraklion for the second and last presentation in Eleftherias Square (September-October 2021), with free tours and HMC educational programmes (in Greek).

During the winter months, in November and December, a special indoor version of the Exhibition was hosted at the Cultural Conference Center of Heraklion. Entrance was free and educational tours by the HMC continued to be offered free of charge to visitors, organised groups (associations, local bodies, etc.) and schools (in Greek). The “compact” indoor version, was also presented to the Gymnasium/Lyceum of Pombia in Phaistos Municipality. Now, it "travels" to Sitia (Crete), and also, the USA and Australia.

CRETE 21
FIGURES OF THE REVOLUTION

With the support of the Municipality of Heraklion and the Heraklion Port Authority, the SCHS / HMC has placed 12 portraits of Cretan fighters of the Revolution of 1821 in two key areas of the city of Heraklion:

► on Dimokratias Avenue, outside Georgiadis Park, and
► on the main coastal road, outside the new port

Further information on the people portrayed is available via a digital application for smart devices, using the QR code on the printed posters. You can also access the website www.Crete1821.gr in the same way.

CRETE 21
www.Crete1821.gr

For the digital presentation, the SCHS has created the website Crete1821.gr (in Greek and English), on the participation of Crete in the Greek Revolution of 1821, divided into the same thematic sections as the open-air exhibition. Taking events in Europe and the world at the turn of the 19th century as its starting-point, this participation is examined alongside the course of the Revolution in mainland Greece, while focusing on and highlighting the local conditions and circumstances on the island.

More specifically, the website is divided into the following sections:

♦ The World in the 1800s
♦ The Ottoman Empire in the Late 18th and Early 19th Century
♦ Pre-revolutionary Conditions on Crete
♦ Overview of the Greek Revolution
♦ Preparing the Revolution on Crete
♦ The First and Second Period (1821-1824)
♦ The Fortress of Gramvousa
♦ The Third Period (1827-1830)
♦ Philhellenes and Other Revolutionaries on Crete
♦ Cretans Outside Crete
♦ War
♦ Repercussions of the Revolution on Crete: The Economy and Population
♦ Attempts at Political Organisation and Establishment of Administrative Structures
♦ Through Travellers’ Eyes: Crete before and after 1821
♦ Crete after 1821
♦ From Vienna to Paris: Europe in the Age of Revolution (1815-1848)

Online educational programmes will be added to the websites. The website is appropriate for young visitors and primary and secondary schools.

CRETE 21
An Island in the Age of Revolution: Crete 1821-1830
Hybrid Colloquium (8 & 9.10.21)

The 19th century was a time of revolutionary ferment, challenging the great multinational empires on a global scale. The colloquium “An Island in the Age of Revolution: Crete 1821-1830” discusses the participation of Crete in the Greek Revolution of 1821, in relation to the international situation and events in Greece. The colloquium is planned for October 2021 and will combine live and virtual presentations by historians from Greece and abroad.

The events are also supported by the Region of Crete and the Institutions of Andreas and Maria Kalokerinou, continuing their consistent support of the work of the Society of Cretan Historical Studies.