KALAMATA 1821: ROADS OF FREEDOM

The “Kalamata 1821 - Roads of Freedom” Programme is a project supported by the Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” of the Ministry of Economy and Development co-funded by the European Community Fund and integrated in the Action “Research - Creation – Innovation” (NSRF 2014-2020). The Programme is under the auspices of H.E. the President of Democracy.

The programme runs as a partnership among the University of the Peloponnese (coordinator), the Non-Profit enterprise of the Municipality of Kalamata “FARIS” and the film company “VIEWMASTER Films SA”.

The aims of “KALAMATA 1821: Roads of Freedom” is to study and promote to a wide audience significant parameters of the 1821 era, and emphasise the links to the local historic memory and experience, but also to the present through historical, cultural and commercial routes. Such parameters include the preparation of the revolution, economic aspects, elements of architecture, culture and daily life, as well as the liberation of the first Greek city (Kalamata), and the naval battle of Navarino. This way important moments in the course of 200 years of history and the historical correlations of 1821 with the present will be highlighted.

The Programme has a three-year duration (July 2018 – June 2021) and will create three main cultural services/products:

• A full-length movie that will present the events of March 1821; namely, the beginning of the Greek revolution in Kalamata, incorporating elements of history, architecture, music, culture, etc.
• Digital multimedia applications that will reproduce or challenge city memories associated with 1821 (e.g. buildings, war heroes and legends, routes related to events of the revolution, etc.). These applications aim to encourage visitors and residents to move around places of interest across the city and the wider region, to experience the conditions of that era and participate in interactive educational games. The multimedia applications will be also hosted in the historic building of the Kalamata City Hall along with an exhibition of historic objects, offering visitors a first-hand taste of the story of Kalamata in the early 19^th century.
• New live events and re-enactments in the city of Kalamata with an emphasis on the interactive participation of visitors and residents. In addition to the digital media these events will create a framework of cultural, commercial and tourism activities that shall serve as an ongoing beacon for the yearly commemorative events in March.

Scientific Supervisor: Dr. Nikolaos Zacharias, Professor

Visit the Programme’s website at https://www.kalamata1821.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kalamata1821/