A new exhibition at the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation’s of George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides Museum traces the path from the Megali Idea (Great Idea) of national integration to the border and population formation of the present Greek state, through the dramatic events of the Asia Minor Campaign of 1922. Held in Nicosia’s old town, the exhibition will run until September 30.

The exhibition’s journey begins with a reference to the flourishing of Greek populations in Asia Minor and Eastern Thrace. In the main part of the exhibition, the documents narrate the Greek presence in Asia Minor and the events of the Asia Minor Campaign, up to the retreat of the Greek army and the destruction of Smyrna.

The exhibition boasts copies of the historical evidence on display in the exhibition From the Great… to Contemporary Greece at the National Historical Museum’s headquarters in Athens’ Old Parliament House, which includes photographs, documents and objects, accompanied by testimonies, diary extracts and press articles.

These testimonies come from the Photographic Archive and the Archive of Historical Documents of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece. Archival items have also been provided by the Petralias Historical and Cultural Archive, the Michael G. Theotokas Archive, the Scouts of Greece Historical Archive and the Hellenic Literary & Historical Archive (ELIA).

Guided tours and educational programmes will also be held throughout the duration the exhibition, taking visitors on a closer look at the exhibited archives.

Asia Minor Campaign

Exhibition. Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, Nicosia. June 8 – September 30. Opening hours: 10am – 7pm on weekdays, weekends and public holidays. www.boccf.org.ccy