Mr. Dimitris P. Sotiropoulos, President of the General State Archives and Professor of Modern Political History at the University of the Peloponnese, joins the program “Remarkable Personalities” with Stavroula Karali to discuss the invaluable wealth preserved within the General State Archives (GAK), underscoring their vital role as custodians of the nation’s collective memory and historical continuity.
During the broadcast, the President of GAK traces the institution’s historical course from its foundation, with particular emphasis on the contribution of historian, folklorist, and writer Giannis Vlachogiannis, who played a decisive role in the collection, preservation, and classification of invaluable archival material. Through his work, rare and significant sources from the era of the Greek War of Independence were brought to light, granting researchers — as well as the wider public — access to authentic testimonies of the nation’s history.
Particular emphasis is also placed on contemporary archival material of high historical and symbolic value, such as the photographs recently brought to light from the execution of 200 communists in Kaisariani. As the President of the GAK notes, archival material serves as a living reminder of traumatic yet defining moments in modern Greek history, underscoring the importance of documentation and historical memory.
The program also explores the contemporary role of the General State Archives (GAK) in the digital age, highlighting ongoing digitisation initiatives and technological upgrades. The transition to a digital environment safeguards the long-term preservation of archival material while significantly expanding access for scholars and citizens alike.
Guided by historical accuracy and deep respect for cultural heritage, the program underscores the enduring value of archives as pillars of knowledge, identity, and democratic consciousness.
Journalistic research – presentation:Stavroula Karali
Sound engineering: Giorgos Kostopoulos
Broadcast: Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 22:00–23:00 (Athens time)
