“Greece has been ‘in a civil war‘ since 1915,” commented historian Maria Efthymiou, interpreting the political situation in our country, in response to a question she received in an interview with MEGA about national history.
“Having a national history happens to all nations. The extent to which it is deeply held isn’t the same for everyone; naturally, things tend to be smoothed out. However, in the 20th century, Greece has had brilliant examples of historians. Konstantinos Paparrigopoulos, a national historian, wrote pages that are almost unbelievable. We have national historians who wrote as impersonally as possible, attempting to speak as a third party about issues that concern us,” Ms. Efthymiou initially remarked.
She went on, however, to speak of a “prolonged conflict, as we have had a civil war ongoing since 1915 up to today. The way political life unfolds and the nature of confrontations is absolute—there is no acceptance of the other side. If you look at politics, although thankfully not as intensely as in past decades, we still see that opposition is wholly dismissive. We’ve become accustomed to conflict and can hardly imagine ourselves otherwise. From 1915 to 1940, we were Venizelists and anti-Venizelists, and from 1940 to today, we have been right-wing and left-wing.”
According to Ms. Efthymiou, “It’s not only toxic and self-destructive, it’s stupid. Stupidity is a great thing it is powerful and infinite as Einstein says. To insist on invalidating the other, wait, there have been so many processes.”
As he recalled, “only in Greece after the end of World War II did we make war in Europe. From 1943 to 1949 we had a civil war, in conditions of occupation and national resistance we had a civil war.”
However, Ms. Efthymiou noted that “I have been observing ourselves lately and I think we are looking at ourselves in the mirror and we don’t want this situation anymore, there is a resistance in society to easy blame. When a citizen hears a politician cancelling out his opponent in totality, he loses his standing in society, that is the only way to stop this civil war.”
According to Ms. Efthymiou, “it’s not only toxic and self-destructive—it’s foolish. Foolishness is a powerful force, as Einstein said, vast and all-encompassing. To persist in invalidating the other side…wait, so many dynamics have taken place.”
She reminded us, “Greece was the only country in all of Europe to have a civil war after the end of World War II. From 1943 to 1949, amidst occupation and national resistance, we were engaged in a civil war.”
Ms. Efthymiou observed, however, that “I have been watching us lately and feel that we are looking at ourselves in the mirror, and we don’t want this situation anymore. There is a growing resistance in society against easy accusations. When citizens hear a politician entirely invalidate their opponent, it undermines their credibility. This is the only way to end this civil war.”
On the rise of the far-right
Ms. Efthymiou was also asked about the rise of the far right and responded, saying, “It’s connected to the handling of immigrants; this is the critical issue impacting societies. It’s a serious problem that there is no room for political correctness—we need to address it with a sense of balance and realism.”
“On this matter, the European Union hasn’t yet settled on the right approach. The EU is a significant achievement; World War II concluded with two major decisions, the creation of the UN and the EU.”
On lesson of history in education
Regarding history education, the historian remarked, “The way history is taught, based on rote memorization, is absurd.”
“There are teachers who are passionate about their work—it’s a matter of luck if you have them. The average Greek cares about history and takes it seriously; we’re much better than we seem,” she added.
In her view, “we Greeks have the two faces of Janus; we are simultaneously rude, toxic, and defeatist, yet warm, kind, and polite. If we cultivate the beautiful side, we have potential—we’re not disposable.”
