Prof. Parara Spoke at International Congress of Cretan Studies

Prof. Polyvia Parara gave a paper on Elizavet Contaxaki and her relationship to the Cretan revolutions.

Dr. Polyvia Parara gave a paper entitled "Elisavet Contaxaki's Classical Bouquet and Carroll Spence's correspondence: Keys to the diplomacy of Cretan revolutions," at the 13th International Congress of Cretan Studies, Crete, held on October 5-9 October, 2022. This paper, which she presented at an anglophone panel on the Modern Greek History of Crete, is part of her research on Classical Bouquet," a rare unique volume she brought to light.

Parara argues that this volume is a primary source that captures the reception of the classical world and its ideals by modernity, and also provides significant new interpretations regarding the position of its author and the western elites towards liberalism and democracy. This valuable source, combined with personal correspondence, American discussions, and diplomacy on the Cretan Question, formulates a broader narrative related to western views of the Cretan revolutions.

By examining domestic and external politics and diplomacy, Dr. Polyvia Parara offers a more nuanced interpretation of its author, Elisavet Contaxaki, and her role in the Cretan revolutions and brings new, unpublished primary historical sources into the light.

Dr. Parara (top right) at the conference.