Greece Culture Minister removes controversial Nazi-themed exhibition poster

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni intervened to remove a controversial poster for an upcoming exhibition titled ‘Archaeology and Occupation’ at the National Archaeological Museum. The poster, which depicted a Nazi flag over the Acropolis, drew sharp criticism from the National Council for the Claim of German Debts to Greece (ESDOGE) and other citizens.

Mendoni stated that the image was a historical document from the Deutsche Historische Museum archives rather than a new creation, noting that the organizers ‘poorly chose’ it. She acknowledged that the Council was ‘right to protest’ the imagery. Following the intervention, the organizers—including the German Archaeological Institute, the Italian School of Archaeology, and the National Research Foundation—agreed to change the poster.

The exhibition aims to present the dark period of the occupation rather than cover it up. However, the timing of the event has also faced scrutiny, as it coincides with the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of Athens from German forces.