Feb 18 β€’ 15:19 UTC πŸ‡¬πŸ‡· Greece Naftemporiki

Ministry of Culture: The entire photo collection of Kaisariani has been declared a monument

The Greek Ministry of Culture declared the photo collection of T. de Craene/H. Heuer a monument due to its historical significance related to World War II propaganda in Greece.

The photo collection of T. de Craene and H. Heuer has been designated as a monument by the Greek Ministry of Culture, following a recommendation from the Central Council of Modern Monuments. This designation recognizes the collection's historical value, documenting perceptions and attitudes shaped by the propagandistic mechanisms of the occupying forces in Greece during World War II. The announcement underscores the collection's significance as a visual record of a tumultuous period in Greek history.

The photos came to public attention when they appeared on e-bay.de on February 14. The alleged owner, collector Tim de Craene, specializes in war memorabilia and artifacts from World War II. He attempted to sell the photos through his company, Crain’s Militaria. Their appearance on Greek social media, and subsequently in news outlets, sparked significant interest from various stakeholders, highlighting the importance of preserving such historical documents and raising awareness about their context.

However, the morning after the declaration, Tim de Craene withdrew the twelve photos from the online auction site. Despite this, the entire collection he has curated remains available for sale. This case reflects ongoing tensions around the commercialization of historical artifacts and the need for cultural institutions to engage with private collectors to ensure the preservation and appreciation of significant historical documents.

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