University of Patras to host Welcome to UP 2026 festival and international conference

The University of Patras is organizing the ‘Welcome to UP 2026’ festival, scheduled from October 6 to 10, 2026. The event aims to integrate the university with the Western Greece region, spanning the cities of Patras, Agrinio, and Missolonghi through various cultural, musical, and educational activities.

A major component of the festival is an international, interdisciplinary conference hosted by the Department of History and Archaeology titled ‘Civil Wars: History, Memory, and Representation’. Taking place on October 6 at the University of Patras Conference and Cultural Center, the symposium will use the Greek Civil War as a primary case study while examining global internal conflicts.

The conference will explore the historical, political, social, and legal dimensions of civil wars, focusing on collective memory, trauma, and the role of arts and literature in representing conflict. Discussions will also address themes of transitional justice, reconciliation policies, and the relationship between civil war and democracy.