Year
The period preceding the Second World War is marked by intense political upheavals, social tensions, ideological conflicts, and cultural quests. With the First World War and the economic crisis of 1929, democracies are unstable, and societies experience an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear.
Unemployment, poverty, and political instability leave a strong social imprint and create the conditions for the rise of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes.
Greece is not unaffected by international developments and faces periods of authoritarianism, enormous social and economic challenges, and a turbulent political life. It is a time of tension, in which art and culture find ways to express the anxieties and hopes of the people, just before the storm of war breaks out — a storm that would change everything.
The Jewish communities of Europe and Greece experience a complex reality and face increasing antisemitism and racist policies. In Greece, the communities of Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Rhodes, and other cities continue their traditions with schools, synagogues, vibrant commercial activity, and a strong cultural presence, forming an integral part of Greek society.
Yet, international developments overshadowed their future, foreshadowing the tragic events of the calamitous war.
