University of Athens, in Partnership With Freie Universität Berlin, Gains Access to the Institute's Visual History Archive

The University of Athens now provides access to the Institute’s Visual History Archive.  Access has been made possible in cooperation with Freie Universität Berlin’s Center for Digital Systems (CeDiS).

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of World War II historian Professor Hagen Fleischer, the USC Shoah Foundation Institute’s testimonies are now accessible to researchers and students at the university; I am sure it will bring us closer to our history and foster Holocaust education in Greece,” Olga Katsiardi-Hering, Professor of Modern Greek History at the University of Athens, said.  “I wish to acknowledge the University of Athens for generously supporting access to the archive; I'd also like to recognize our Rector Professor Theodosis Pelegrinis, whose approval played a decisive role in this process."

The University held an opening event on November 3.  In addition to celebrating the launch of the archive at the University, the event coincided with a two-day workshop led by Andrea Szőnyi, the Institute’s Regional Consultant in Hungary, who gave a presentation on the history of the Institute and the scope of its international activities; and Verena Nagel, Project Manager of the CeDiS Multimedia Archive at Freie Universität Berlin.  In addition to the scholars, students, and University representatives who attended the opening event and workshop, others included Ms. Yvette Capon, General Secretary of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece; Benjamin Albala, President of the Jewish Community of Athens; Isaak Leon, General Secretary of the Jewish Community of Athens; Makis Samuel Matsas, President of the Jewish Museum of Greece; and Zanet Battinou, Director of the Jewish Museum of Greece.  On November 4, the workshop continued with hands-on training on the use of the archive.

The Institute’s archive is now available at 35 universities and other institutions worldwide.  Find an access site near you.