Stefan Ihrig, a Professor of History at the University of Haifa and the director of the Haifa Center for German and European Studies in Israel, has dedicated his career to unfolding the complex tapestry of European and Middle Eastern history. While our discussion might not (seemingly) be of direct interest to Hellenism, we explore what shaped the landscape and our understanding of the late Ottoman Empire and the early days of the Republic of Turkey: the threads that wove through the lives of Greeks during those times. The often overlooked German support to the Ottoman Empire, later to Atatürk, emerges as a significant external factor that also influenced the fate of Greeks in that turbulent period.

Through Professor Stefan Ihrig’s research and books, including “Atatürk in the Nazi Imagination”, we explore genocides of that era and geography, the denial of genocides, historical lessons of illiberal democratic leaders within deficient leadership environments applicable also today. The fascination with totalitarian historical figures adds another layer to the intricate fabric of a nation's founding principles.

Stay tuned for the remaining part of our discussion with Professor Ihrig, focusing on the Pontic Greek genocide, to be released in 2024. Join us as we shine a light on these lesser explored aspects of history, delving deeper into the narratives that often escape mainstream attention.

Featuring the work of my former Chemical Engineering student

Music: “Winter” by Antonio Innocente

Source: Spotify

Episodes Topics and Guests Curated and Investigated by Panagiota Pimenidou.