A focus on urban Crete
An exhibition titled «Urban Life,» currently on show at the Historical Museum of Crete in Iraklion (27 S. Venizelou), focuses on urban life between the end of the 19th century and the interwar period. During this time span, Crete went from being an autonomous state to a part of Greece. The urban lifestyle on the island is revived in four rooms that typify the period’s domestic setup. Moreover, three detailed films provide the visitor with deeper knowledge of the era’s conditions. The exhibition was organized by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies, which has also scheduled a related conference for March 30 and 31 at the museum. Titled «Crete: Urban Life (1898-1940),» it will include the participation of Greek and Turkish academics. The city of Iraklion and its social life were greatly influenced by the island’s periods of autonomy and eventual union with Greece. The city’s urban community absorbed European ideas and trends, while political developments increasingly distanced Iraklion from its Ottoman past. In less than half a century, the ethnic and religious differences of the city’s citizens led to social discrimination. Also incorporated into the exhibition, free of charge, is an educational program titled «Life In the City Back Then,» which caters to the final three primary school grades and all high school levels.
