English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

The story of the Epirote Society, which was established in Athens in 1906, adds colour to the broader mosaic of irredentism. The account of the Society’s past, especially of its Ioannina branch, given by one of its participants omits several inner aspects and does not offer a comparative perspective. The aim of this paper is to place the history of the Society in a more general context and offer a better understanding of the actions and practices of this particular agent of irredentism. The course that was followed by Greek irredentism in Ottoman Epirus was not an exception but rather a rule in the Balkans at the time. The paper examines critically the Society’s agenda and illustrates certain issues, such as social banditry and the clash between communalism and nationalism, in the light of contemporary academic findings. The other-definition of the Greek nation-building process in the area towards the Albanian national “awakening” is also discussed, while emphasis is placed on the interconnection of these processes with the agrarian question. The canonical annals of irredentism in the late Ottoman Balkans are certainly well-known. The main parameters and effects of post-state nationalism in the area have been extensively discussed and analysed. Yet numerous facets, inner agents and side-effects of the nationalist ideology are still waiting to be narrated and academically examined. Multiple nuances of irredentism can be traced in matters of social history and the locale. The course that Greek irredentism followed in Ottoman-ruled Epirus at the turn of the twentieth century was mostly the rule rather than the exception. However, subtle yet not unimportant differences which were related to particular local social, geographical, political, etc., circumstances existed. The examination of such nuances contributes to a better understanding of the general picture of irredentism. This paper aims specifically to revisit the history of the irredentist Epirote Society of Athens, to re-examine its agenda and practices in the light of contemporary academic findings, and thus to offer new insights into the course of Greek nation-building across the nationstate’s borders, in Ottoman-ruled Epirus in particular. The main story of the Epirote Committee has been minutely narrated by Alexandros Livadeus The Historical Review / La Revue Historique Institute for Neohellenic Research Volume VIII (2011) 150 Spyros Ploumidis (later a director of the National Bank of Greece),1 one of its most energetic members in Epirus’ capital during late Ottoman times. However, Livadeus’ account admittedly omits several crucial inner aspects of the Society’s past,2 and, most important, he does not offer a comparative perspective. Here, the known story as well as the untold actions, intentions and opinions of the Society’s cadres will be placed into a broader context. First and foremost, the Society’s appeal to rural society and the interconnection of the struggle for national liberation with social banditry will be discussed. The background of the Society’s leaders will be revisited. More light will be shed on the other-definition of the Greek nation-building process in Epirus towards the surging Albanian nationalism. Last but not least, the irredentist Society’s influence on the Orthodox population of Ioannina and its drastic interference in communal affairs will be illustrated in the light of further research in primary sources.

Nuances of Irredentism: The Epirote Society of Athens (1906-1912)