#Greece #Athens #Nanjing Massacre #Athens Exhibition #Peace Dialogue

The 'World Memory, Vision of Peace' Exhibition in Athens

On September 27, 2025, an important exhibition titled World Memory, Vision of Peace - The Path of Peaceful Development in Urban Memory opened in Hall 7 of the Zappeion Hall in Athens. This exhibition centers on the tragic events of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, marking the first occasion that a Chinese memorial dedicated to this tragedy has been presented in Greece. The exhibition will be open to the public until September 30.

The exhibition aims to explore the reconstruction of two ancient cities, Nanjing and Athens, both of which suffered greatly during World War II. It delves into how these cities have embraced peace as part of their urban identities in the years that followed their devastation by war.

Opening Ceremony Highlights

Over 100 guests attended the inauguration ceremony, including notable figures such as Fang Qiu, the Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Giorgos Vlachos, Vice Governor of Attica, and Thomas Georgiadis, Athens' Deputy Mayor for City Police and Public Spaces. Performances by children's choirs from both nations marked the opening, emphasizing the thematic essence of the exhibition.

The Greek students sang songs like If All the Children of the World and Hands Like These, while the Chinese choir performed Let the World Be Filled with Love. The event organizers stated that these performances symbolize the connection between the two cultures, rooted in their painful wartime memories.

Focus on Peace through Dialogue

Ambassador Fang described the event as a dialogue between two significant civilizations, emphasizing the importance of preserving historical truths and defending peace. He stated, “Together, we must safeguard the truth of history, defend the essence of peace, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.” Similarly, Vice Governor Vlachos drew parallels between the suffering endured during the Nanjing Massacre and Greece's own historical experiences under Axis occupation. He spoke about the profound human suffering witnessed in both nations, highlighting the need for memory and dialogue to forge a path toward understanding and coexistence.

The Nanjing Massacre: A Brief Overview

The Nanjing Massacre occurred after Japanese troops captured China's then-capital on December 13, 1937. Over a span of six weeks, soldiers killed more than 300,000 civilians and prisoners of war, subjecting thousands of women to sexual violence. The exhibition documents these horrific events through over 170 photographs, 40 artifacts, and multimedia displays, including rare footage from American missionary John Magee, survivor testimonies, and legal documents from post-war tribunals.

In addition to focusing on the events in Nanjing, the exhibition draws attention to the 1943 Massacre of Kalavryta in Greece, where Nazis executed approximately 700 men and boys, thereby underscoring the shared experiences of both nations during the war.

Thematic Sections of the Exhibition

The exhibition is divided into three main sections: 1) Memories of WWII Trauma - detailing Nanjing during the war, humanitarian rescue efforts, and international documentation; 2) Post-War Urban Memory - discussing trials against Japanese war criminals in Tokyo and Nanjing and the reconstruction of the cities; 3) A Shared Vision of Peace - highlighting memorial traditions in both countries, including Greece’s “Ohi Day” and China’s memorial day for Nanjing Massacre victims. The exhibition recognizes Nanjing as China’s first “International City of Peace.”

Local Perspectives on the Event

Deputy Mayor Georgiadis characterized the exhibition as a powerful display of both tragedy and renewal. Efthymios Tsiknis, head of the Historical Photo Archive of Modern Greece, stated that showcasing the Nanjing Massacre archives in Athens is an honor, ensuring that this narrative is preserved globally. Musician Nikos Kazamias expressed pride in conveying a message of friendship through cultural collaboration.

A Global Journey

Since the inclusion of the Nanjing Massacre archives in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2015, the exhibition has traveled to various cities, including Los Angeles, Moscow, and Budapest. The Athens exhibition continues this global journey by inviting audiences to reflect on war history and the universal significance of peace.

Organized in collaboration with several Chinese cultural agencies and supported by the Hellenic-Chinese Cultural Association, this exhibition stands as a testament to the power of shared memory in fostering dialogue, cooperation, and lasting peace. As visitors walk through the exhibition, they are reminded that remembering the past not only honors victims but also lays the groundwork for a future of understanding and collaboration. “History warns us, but it also guides us,” a visitor remarked. “What connects Athens and Nanjing is not just their pain but also their resilience and determination to ensure such tragedies never repeat.”