The Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, partnering with the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens, recently hosted a lecture by Dr. Stavros A. Paspalas, exploring the often-overlooked story of Greek antiquities during the tumultuous years of World War II. The event, timed to coincide with OXI Day, Greece’s national day of remembrance for its wartime resistance, delved into the complex and sometimes paradoxical relationship between occupying forces and Greece’s rich cultural heritage. Dr Paspalas’ presentation vividly depicted how these ancient treasures became both targets of exploitation and symbols of resistance, revealing the human drama behind their preservation and loss.
Dr. Paspalas began by highlighting the profound significance of Greek antiquities, extending far beyond their aesthetic value. These relics, spanning ancient and medieval periods, served as cornerstones of modern Greek identity, projected both internally and to the world. As the shadow of conflict loomed, these antiquities were transformed into potential spoils of war and powerful tools for manipulating public perception.
The German occupation, commencing in April 1941, presented a particularly intricate dynamic. High-ranking Nazis, including Hitler himself, harboured a warped sense of Philhellenism, viewing ancient Greece with a strange mixture of admiration and racially motivated appropriation. While publicly championing themselves as protectors of European civilization, they simultaneously sought to forge a link between the ancient Greeks, especially the Dorians, and a supposed Germanic racial lineage, using this fabricated connection to justify their presence in Greece. This perverse admiration, however, did not preclude the looting and exploitation of Greek cultural treasures. The German Archaeological Institute, while ostensibly conducting legitimate research, became entangled in the Nazi apparatus, with some members actively participating in the regime’s more sinister activities. Organizations like the Ahnenerbe, outwardly dedicated to ancestral heritage research, were, in reality, instruments of Nazi ideology, facilitating the misappropriation of Greek antiquities.
Anticipating the impending threat, Greek authorities, assisted by foreign archaeologists, embarked on a remarkable preemptive campaign to safeguard their cultural heritage. Museum collections and monuments were systematically concealed and protected. Statues were buried, artifacts meticulously packed and hidden away, and precious items secured in bank vaults. This monumental undertaking, accomplished with limited resources and under immense time pressure, is a testament to those involved’s dedication and foresight. However, the sheer scale of the task meant that not all collections received the same level of protection, leaving some tragically vulnerable to the occupying forces.
The German occupation also witnessed the establishment of the Kunstschutz, a German art protection agency tasked with safeguarding cultural heritage. While outwardly fulfilling this role, the agency also served German interests, facilitating access to archaeological sites and engaging in questionable practices like the forced appropriation of properties for excavations. The Kunstschutz also produced propaganda pamphlets for German soldiers, extolling the glories of ancient Greece while subtly linking them to the supposed greatness of the Third Reich.
While less ideologically driven than the German occupation, the Italian and Bulgarian occupations also damaged Greece’s cultural heritage. Looting, neglect, and constructing military installations within archaeological sites caused significant harm.
The impact of the war extended far beyond the actions of the occupying forces. Reprisal operations against the Greek population destroyed countless villages and monasteries, often repositories of important cultural artifacts and religious relics. The Jewish communities of Greece, already targeted for extermination, also suffered the devastating loss of their cultural heritage, with synagogues destroyed and cemeteries desecrated.
From this turbulent period, individual stories of courage and resilience emerge, highlighting the human dimension of the conflict. Greek archaeologists and ordinary citizens risked their lives to protect antiquities, while some foreign archaeologists collaborated with the occupying powers. The post-war period saw the repatriation of some looted artifacts. Still, the scars of the conflict remain visible, serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of cultural heritage in the face of war and ideology.
Dr. Paspalas concluded his lecture by emphasizing that the story of Greek antiquities during World War II is not merely a footnote to the broader conflict. It is a microcosm of the complex relationship between power, ideology, and cultural heritage, a cautionary tale reminding us of the vital importance of safeguarding cultural treasures, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their crucial role in shaping identity, memory, and our understanding of the past.
Images Copyright Nick Bourdaniotis for Greek City Times
