On the occasion of the annual commemoration of the Restoration of Democracy on 24 July, and marking fifty years in 2025 since the adoption and enforcement of the Greek Constitution (1975–2025), the radio program “Narratives – Stories and Fairy Tales for All Ages” presents a special tribute to both anniversaries on Saturday, 19 July 2025, from 17:00 to 18:00 Greek time, on the Voice of Greece.
Through the narration of the allegorical fairy tale published by Kedros, “King Longbeard and the Book That Changed the World“, written by Emilia Emmanouil, we revisit pages of modern Greek history—learning about the events and facts that led to the ratification of the country’s first Constitution, as a universal demand and just claim by the Greek people.
“What happened in Greece when kings were real and not just characters in books? When the seat of the Hellenic Parliament was still the royal palace and the country’s system of government an absolute monarchy? Alongside our young and older listeners, we explore the just demands of the citizens and the great uprisings that took place in front of the Hellenic Parliament—then the king’s palace—right in Syntagma Square.
We’ll also reflect on how deeply rooted the values of freedom, justice, and equality before the law have been throughout time—values that the people of Greece have believed in, defended, and claimed unwaveringly from ancient times to today. In this allegorical tale, King Longbeard dreams of making history—but leads his subjects to despair, exhaustion, and ultimately, to a just revolt. That night of the final uprising, everything changed for the people of Flaflagonia. And King Longbeard’s name was indeed written in history—though not quite in the way he had imagined…”
Produced and presented by Maria Karagiannaki Iona
Broadcast: Saturday 19 July 2025, 17:00 – 18:00 Athens time
