Mitos : The Thread of Greece

They say tradition is not about preserving the ashes, but about passing on the flame. The photographic work of Michael Pappas stands as proof.

2010. A young photographer embarks on a journey to document the traditions and customs across Greece. His guides are the stories of his father and grandmother, the immortal pages of Kazantzakis, Lountemis, and Myrivilis, and the films of Angelopoulos. His philosophy: the truly contemporary is whatever inspires us.

Through the lens of Michael Pappas, 21st-century women are captured wearing garments filled with vibrant colours and intricate embroidery. Through his perspective, tradition takes on a new dimension, bridging the past with the present.

A few years later, in 2018, part of his work is exhibited at the Benaki Museum under the title Ethos / Another Side of Greece. His photographs captivate audiences, and representatives from the Musée Fragonard invite him to bring the exhibition to France, focusing exclusively on women in traditional attire. Michael accepts the challenge. The idea for a unique project highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Greece, reflected in the garments of each region and the role of women as custodians of such, is born and gradually evolves into a fascinating lifelong journey.

Travelling through small and large villages, he fully grasps the profound power of the stories carried by the places and their people. He meets women who are moved to tears as they show him old garments inherited from their mothers. He listens to storied accounts of customs that sustained communities through difficult times and experiences the overwhelming hospitality of families who open their hearts and homes to him, guide him through their daily lives, and make him feel like a part of their world.

Immersing himself in their reality, he shares meals and memories, and through his photographs, he narrates the connection these individuals have with their roots, as well as the ways they adapt to the values of the modern era. For its creator, Mitos / The Thread of Greece is not merely a photographic project but a continuous journey of self-discovery and exploration – a tribute to tradition that does not remain static but evolves.

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TEXT : CHRISTINA KATSANTONI
PHOTOS : MICHAEL PAPPAS