Dr Anna Tsalapatanis, a Lecturer in Sociology and Social Policy at University College London, will deliver a lecture titled “The Economy in Crisis: Cartooning during the Greek Financial Crisis”, as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne. The lecture will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday, May 25th, at 7pm.

The Greek financial crisis, which began in 2009, garnered significant international attention. It became a subject of fascination for political cartoonists worldwide, who employed a range of creative techniques such as allegories, visual metaphors, and wordplay to explore Greece’s challenging circumstances. Themes depicted in their cartoons included symbols of ruin, drawing upon the country’s classical past with imagery of teetering temples, crumbling columns, and shattered pottery. Additionally, some cartoons exploited negative stereotypes, portraying Greeks as lazy, incompetent, or excessively hedonistic.

In her lecture, Dr Anna Tsalapatanis will present her extensive research, which involved collecting and analysing a diverse array of cartoons from the financial crisis period. By examining cartoons from both international and Greek domestic media, she will identify common themes, draw comparisons, and explore their significance. Furthermore, she will provide insights into the value and impact of political cartooning, shedding light on how Greece was portrayed and perceived on the global stage.

Dr Anna Tsalapatanis brings a wealth of expertise to her work, spanning various fields including access to justice, migration studies, digital disadvantage, bureaucracy, culture, and identity. Her research is interdisciplinary and primarily employs qualitative methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the Australian National University and a Masters’ Degree in Southeastern European Studies from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. With her extensive teaching experience in Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, Law, Migration, and Globalisation Studies, Dr Tsalapatanis is highly regarded in academia.

This lecture promises to provide a thought-provoking exploration of political cartooning during the Greek financial crisis. Viewers can participate in this engaging event by tuning in to the livestream on Facebook or YouTube.

When: Thursday 25 May, 7pm
How: livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube