One more day left of our exhibition! Be sure to get in today to visit us and see Poul Rasmussen’s very special collection in Monemvasia Emmanuelle Foundethakis 📸

Ioanna Maria Giakoumaki’s installation at our recent Poul Rasmussen exhibition was titled ‘Red Thread’ and looked to represent the idea expressed by Maria Augusta Von Trapp in her book ‘My Own Story’ written in 1972. Maria writes: ‘It will be very interesting to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry… in looking back over the years we can discover a red thread goes through the pattern of our life.’ This quote was also selected for our new book ‘Monemvasia: Through the Lens of Poul Rasmussen.’ Ioanna wove a red thread through our recent exhibition, connecting photographs of people, places, particularly Monemvasia and Yefira, and the stories of those who have come before us.

Την Κυριακή, 4 Αυγούστου γιορτάσαμε για το βιβλίο και την έκθεση μας στο προαύλιο του Αγίου Νικολάου, παρουσία της οικογένειας Rasmussen. Περισσότεροι από 100 φίλοι βρέθηκαν κοντά μας αυτή τη βραδιά. Μετά τις ομιλίες του Αλέξανδρου Καλλιγά και της προέδρου μας, Ann Eldridge, που ακολουθήθηκε από ένα ατμοσφαιρικό μουσικό κομμάτι, όλοι επισκέφθηκαν την έκθεση και μοιράστηκαν μαζί μας τις εντυπώσεις και τις αναμνήσεις τους. On Sunday, August 4, we celebrated our book and the exhibition in the courtyard of Aghios Nikolaos church, with the presence of the Rasmussen family. Over 100 people joined us this evening. After the speeches of Alexander Kalligas and our chairman, Ann Eldridge, followed by an atmospheric musical performance, everyone visited the exhibition and shared their impressions and memories with us. #monemvasia #greece #exhibition #archive #peloponese #photographs

Monemvasia has been ruled and dominated by many different forces during its impressive history. In reality however, the domesticated cat appears to continue to be the true ruler of the Rock.

Σας προσκαλούμε από τις 28 Ιουλίου έως τις 11 Αυγούστου στον Άγιο Νικόλαο στο Κάστρο Μονεμβασίας για την φωτογραφική έκθεση του Poul Rasmussen. Η συλλογή του Poul καταγράφει μια εποχή μεγάλων αλλαγών για τη Μονεμβασιά μεταξύ 1966 και 1993, και είμαστε πολύ ενθουσιασμένοι, όχι μόνο γιατί είναι μέρος του αρχείου μας αλλά και επειδή μπορούμε να μοιραστούμε αυτές τις εκπληκτικές φωτογραφίες μαζί σας αυτό το καλοκαίρι. Η έκθεση περιλαμβάνει επίσης το βίντεο προφορικής ιστορίας “Ζώσα Ιστορία” της Δέσποινας Ευγενίδου και την εικαστική εγκατάσταση “Κόκκινη Κλωστή” της Ιωάννας-Μαρίας Γιακουμάκη. Την Κυριακή, 4 Αυγούστου, από τις 8 μ.μ. θα έχουμε τη χαρά, παρουσία της οικογένειας Rasmussen, να γιορτάσουμε για την έκθεση και το νέο μας βιβλίο ‘Monemvasia. Through the Lens of Poul Rasmussen’. Ανυπομονούμε να σας δούμε εκεί! Η Monemvasia Society είναι φορέας μη κερδοσκοπικού χαρακτήρα, που λειτουργεί βάσει δωρεών. Εκτιμούμε την υποστήριξή σας, στην προσπάθειά μας να διευρύνουμε το φωτογραφικό αρχείο μας, να πραγματοποιούμε νέες εκδόσεις και να διοργανώνουμε πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις. Join us from 28th July to 11 August at the Aghios Nikolaos Church in Castro of Monemvasia for the Poul Rasmussen exhibition. Poul’s collection documents a time of immense change in Monemvasia between 1966 and 1993, and we’re very excited to not only have his collection within our archive, but to also be able to share these stunning photographs with you this summer. Our oral history film, ‘Living History’, by Despoina Evgenidou and the art installation ‘Red Thread’ by Ioanna-Maria Giakoumaki will also be part of the exhibtion. On Sunday 4th of August from 8pm in the presence of the Rasmussen family we will celebrate the exhibition and our new book, ‘Monemvasia: Through the Lens of Poul Rasmussen. We look forward to seeing you there! The Monemvasia Society is a not-for-profit entity that operates based on donations. We appreciate your support as we attempt to grow the archive of photographs from Monemvasia, publish books and hold cultural events.

There are only a few days to go before @unicornpubgroup publish Monemvasia: Through the Lens of Poul Rasmussen from the Monemvasia Society 📸 This important and evocative photodocumentary features recently uncovered images that capture the changing face of the mainland village as the Monemvasian Castro was increasingly abandoned. Rasmussen’s photographs show the institutions of community life, the church and national and local festivals, that were still taking place on the Rock, and remaining at the heart of the community. 📍 Click the link in our bio to pre-order your copy of Monemvasia today: https://www.unicornpublishing.org/page/detail/monemvasia/?k=9781916846173

Hartmutt Witte photographs his window view, circa 1980’s, MPS Archive. #monemvasia #greece #peloponnese #archive

Matoula’s restaurant entrance photographed by Hartmut Witte, circa 1980, MPS archive #monemvasia #greece #peloponnese #archive #history

Monemvasia, a view from the sea, Hartmut Witte, circa 1980, MPS archive Happy Earth Day to all! #monemvasia #greece #peloponnese #archive

Outside Kafeneion, 1982, taken by Poul Ramussen. MPS archive.

Children playing, Yefyra, Poul Ramussen, circa 1980. MPS archive. #greece #peloponnese #archive #photography #history

Poul Ramussen, 1979. Art exhibition in ‘Kamara’ art gallery. MPS Archive #greece #peloponese #monemvasia #archive

A stormy view of the Rock, Poul Ramussen, MPS archive.

View to the main street and Marianthi’s restaurant from inside Bobo’s taverna, Poul Ramussen, 1980. MPS archive. #greece #peloponnese #archive #monemvasia

θέα από παράθυρο, Monemvasia Castle, Hartmut Witte, circa 1976 #monemvasia #greece #archive #peloponese

πλατεία Ελκόμενου Χριστού, τζαμί Photographer: Hartmut Witte, circa 1980’s

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Monemvasia Society! #yefira #greece #monemvasia #peloponnese

Haris Kalligas 1941-2023. Haris and her husband, Alexander Kalligas, have lived in Monemvasia since 1967. Haris was the world authority on the Byzantine history and architecture of Monemvasia. The Kalligas were awarded the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Medal in 1980 for outstanding restoration work in the City. Their work enabled the Castro to be brought back to life as the thriving community it is today. She was a true custodian of the heritage of the Castro of Monemvasia. Our sincerest condolences to family and friends of Haris. MPS undated. 'Monemvasia. People. Place. Presence.’ 2019 p.134. #britishschoolofathens #gennadiuslibrary #ascsa

Please do send us a photograph of you with your book! We are so proud that our book ‘Monemvasia. People. Place. Presence’ is still in demand. Recently captured - a proud owner who purchased the book from the Amnesty Bookshop in Kentish Town, London. Our first book has nearly sold out, so do get a copy if you have not got one already. Still available on Amazon and all good bookshops.

Monemvasia Summer Series. Cool drinks in the shade at the Byzantino Café Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence, p. 129 2016. Byzantino Café. © Monica Borner.

Summer swim in Monemvasia, 1951 From the book ‘Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence’, p. 98. Demitrios Harrissiadis, 1951, 128–7. © Benaki Museum / Photographic Archives

Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence. p. 23, c. 1950. Entrance to the Castro. MPS.

Photographer Poul Ramussen captures a view from the sea wall, c.1970

Παναγία Χρυσαφίτισσα, circa 80’s, Hartmut Witte. MPS Collection

One last Easter one… Rasmussen archive, 1985. Easter Sunday, Nomia. MPS Collection.

Today the Castro is celebrating the Patronal festival for Panayia Chrysafitissa! The Castro is full of Bishops, priests, flags, flowers, candles, and music. Hope to see you there!

The Rock, captured by photographer @vangelis_rassias_photography

Ο Γεώργιος Βουγιουρδης, γνωστός ως 'Μπόμπος' (1905-1990) έξω από το καφενείο του στο Κάστρο. Ο Μπόμπος ήταν ο μόνος στον οποίον επιτρεπόταν να έχει μαγαζί έξω από τον κεντρικό δρόμο, που είναι γνωστός ως 'Καλντερίμι'. Χωρίς χρονολογία. MPS Georgios Vougiordis ‘O Bobos’ (1905- 1990) outside his kafeneion in the Castro. ‘Bobos’ was the only person to be allowed a shop off the Main Street, known as the ‘Kalderimi’. Undated photograph. MPS.

Spinning - p 75, Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence. Undated © MPS

Barber in Gefyra, Rasmussen archive, circa 1978-1980. MPS Collection ©

We wish you all a Happy New Year. A peaceful view of the Lower Square. Castro, Monemvasia c1970. P. Rasmussen. copyright MPS.

Big thank you to @reformclub for playing a big role in the writing of our book, Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence!

The founding members of the Monemvasia Society meeting in 2005. We wish all our supporters a Happy Christmas and very best wishes for 2023!

Swimming pool. Poul Rasmussen, Circa 1970s. MPS Collection.

Bobo sits in front of his last Taverna, off the Main Street, circa late 1980’s, MPS archive. #monemvasia #greece #archive

An introduction to the oral history interviews that the society has been conducting over the past year! Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far! We will continue our work gathering the oral history of the residents of Monemvasia, so that one day others can know what it was really like. #monemvasia #greece #archive #oralhistory

On Thursday night, James Bond ‘Casino Royale’ was shown in our Garden Cinema in the Castro. A huge success. For over ten years we have held our popular Garden Cinema in August for our supporters. Thank you to all those who came along. Photo Credit MPS/ Foundethakis 2022.

The storm that cancelled the Celebration Launch of the Oral History Project! It will now be delayed until Monday 29 August in the Castro. Weather permitting! Don’t forget to visit our Go Fund Me page! Photograph S. Roberts 2022.

Poul Rasmussen, photographer (1929 -1993) and his wife Thea, (1935 -2022) a weaver, moved from Denmark to Monemvasia in 1966. They were a strong part of the local community. Poul’s photographs are a unique record of the people and events of this time. The Monemvasia Society is honoured that the Rasmussen family have kindly donated Poul Rasmussen's catalogue of photographs from his time in Monemvasia to the Society. This will ensure preservation for future generations and public access. Our team is delighted to be cataloguing this large and important collection for our digital archive. We will hold an exhibition of his work in Summer 2023 in Monemvasia. Poul was a photographer of great recognition, and we’re excited to share some of his photos with you soon.

Easter 1936. Written on back ‘Principals at barbecue at Monemvasia 1936’, Charles Morgan Photographic Collection. © American School of Classical Studies, Athens. #americanschoolofathens

Happy summer days are on their way! Photographer: Hartmut Witte, circa 1978. #monemvasiagreece #monemvasia #greece #archive #history #blackandwhitephoto #blackandwhite #hartmutwitte

Before the busy summer begins again, let's remember an earlier, quieter and forgotten time in Monemvasia on the main street. Monemvasia, 1960's. Please let us know if you recognise anyone in the photo. The archive is very interested in not only gathering photographs but also identifying residents from Monemvasia's history. Monemvasia Photographic Society Archive, Grigoraki, 1960's.

Monemvasia, Thanasis Bakoyiorios, 2000, 35x50cm, Acrylic. Private collection. #monemvasia #greece #art

Monemvasia: My Favourite Place, Marina Klett, 50-70cm, 1997.

Monemvasia and the mainland. Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence. p. 17 1688. Coronelli, Vincenzo. Repubblica di Venezia p. IV. Citta, Fortezze, ed altri Luoghi principali dell’ Albania, Epiro e Livadia, e particolarmente i posseduti da Veneti descritti e delineati dal p. Coronelli, Venice, 1688. © Laskaridis Foundation.

Pomegranate punica granatum is an ancient fruit, which has been the symbol of fertility, prosperity and regeneration for thousands of years in Greece and in Greek mythology. During Christmas time in Greece, you can see pomegranates everywhere as most Greek households hang this rich fruit above the main entrance door of their house- some people also get the fruit blessed at Church before doing so. Before midnight on New Years Eve, to symbolize the old year that has passed, all lights at the house are turned off. The family then gathers outside and when it is 12 midnight, someone throws a pomegranate on the doorstep. The more seeds there are on the floor means the luckier the family will be in the New Year. If someone is stained by the fruit’s juice, it means that he will be lucky. Smashing the fruit is done with the right hand to bring luck. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Monemvasia Society! Photograph: Aghios Stephanos. Monemvasia . Stephanie Roberts. 2021

Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence. p. 126 c. 1971. Children dancing at Bobo’s taverna. © W. R. Elliot, 1971. #monemvasia #greece #archive #history #blackandwhitephotographs

Church, mayor and community. © Martin Kueper 375. 1963. Monemvasia: People, Place, Presence, p. 108. #monemvasia #community #greece #history #archive #oldphotos #blackandwhite

‘It was the difficult, honourable way they chose; ...they earned, if ever a people earned it, the right to be counted in the line of descent from the greatness of the ancient world. The bearing of these people in the unequal war with Germany and Italy was not due to a sudden and isolated burst of bravery; it was the result of something innate in them, it was a symbol of the essential continuity of Greek history.’ Dilys Powell (Remember Greece, 1941) Since the end of war, OHI Day (also spelled OXI day) is celebrated with student and military parades in Greece, Cyprus and by Greek communities abroad. ‘Victory Day’ is celebrated in many European countries to commemorate the unconditional surrender of the German powers that signified the end of Second World War. Greece is the only country that, instead of celebrating the end of war, commemorates the moment when the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas responded with a simple ‘NO’ (ohi in Greek) to Benito Mussolini’s ultimatum on the 28th of October 1940, that demanded the Axis powers to be allowed into Greek soil and occupy strategic positions. The heroic ‘no’ signified the beginning of Greek resistance to the Axis, causing international sensation and admiration towards the Greek people. #greece #oxiday #history #archive

Breakfast time in Monemvasia. #catsofgreece #monemvasia #greece