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A radical scholar in the footsteps of Rigas: Panagiotis Panas (1832-1896)

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Title

A radical scholar in the footsteps of Rigas: Panagiotis Panas (1832-1896)

Date

20 May 2021

Abstract

The focus of this talk is the following question: “What can a Ionian radical who began his career in the mid-19th century have to do with Rigas?” or inverted: “What was the scope of Rigas” rhetoric and plans for a modern-day scholar to lean towards him, in a seemingly different context of life, ideas and aspirations?”

The case of the radical, journalist, writer and translator Panagiotis Panas (born in Spartia, Kefalonia in 1832; died in Athens in 1896) is of interest for the political, social and literary struggles he gave in his life. As his work covers almost the entire second half of the 19th century, he is a representative figure among the minor militant scholars and journalists, who supported with their action and words ideas and proposals that never found significant support in Greek public life. There are three major issues on which Panas fought and on the basis of which his life was formed: 1. The union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, 2. The promotion of democratic ideas and 3. The conciliation of the peoples of the Balkans for the shaking of the Ottoman yoke. The same issues, in the historical conditions of the last decades of the 18th century, form the core of the system of principles and values of Rigas: the promotion of freedom as a primary value, cooperation of the peoples of the Balkans for their liberation from Turkish tyranny, democracy, social sensitivity.

Influenced by the ideas of the Italian Giuseppe Mazzini (1805-1872), leader and theorist of the Democrats, but also by the vision of Rigas, Panas developed action in Greece, the Balkans and other European countries through the Company of the “Democratic Oriental Federation” (1868-1880) and the Athenian political association “Rigas” (1775-1879?). The failure of his efforts in the public sphere showed not only his own weaknesses but also the indifference of society to the views that he promoted.

(Edited description from organiser’s website)

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Number Of Pages - Duration

00:28:15

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All Rights Reserved

Position: 7700 (21 views)