We are pleased to announce that the Municipality of Chios Island in Greece has officially joined the LRE Foundation network as a member. This membership will contribute to a deeper understanding of the maritime history of Chios and Greece during the Second World War, while bringing the island’s wartime history into a wider European context.
Chios is a Greek island in the northeastern Aegean Sea and is traditionally regarded as one of the possible birthplaces of the ancient Greek poet Homer. The island has been an important maritime centre throughout its long history. It suffered a devastating massacre in 1822, during the Greek War of Independence, and was liberated from Ottoman rule in 1912 during the Balkan Wars. In 1913, it was formally incorporated into Greece.
In October 1940, when Greece entered the Second World War, many residents of Chios served on the front lines or as sailors aboard warships. During the Nazi occupation, from 1941 until the island’s liberation in 1944, Chios became a hub for an extensive maritime network that facilitated the escape of resistance fighters and Allied soldiers. It also played an important role in intelligence gathering and espionage activities.
Today, the historical memory of the Second World War in Chios is preserved through monuments, historic buildings and museums across the island.
The Deputy Mayor of Tourism, George Christakis, stated:
“We are proud to be the first Greek island to join the LRE Foundation. This is a significant opportunity for Chios to contribute to the preservation and promotion of the historical memory of the Second World War, while working closely with the other members of the network to ensure that this collective memory is passed on to future generations. Through this initiative, we also aim to establish Chios as an attractive destination for visitors who wish to discover its rich and significant history while experiencing the unique beauty and character of our island”
Rémi Praud, Managing Director of the LRE Foundation, added:
“The history of Chios adds an important dimension to our understanding of the Second World War in Europe. The island’s maritime connections, and the stories linked to them, show how the war was experienced and shaped far beyond the better-known battlefields. Being part of the LRE Foundation network allows us to explore these stories together and to bring them into new projects and exchanges across Europe.”
