Dimitris Harisiadis SANTORINI

Dimitris Harisiadis SANTORINI

Bilingual Edition Greek-English

Publisher: Archive of Santorinian Studies – Dimitris Tsitouras Collection, in collaboration with Benaki Museum (2025)
Pages: 288
ISBN: 978-618-87854-0-3
Dimensions: 29 x 24.5 cm
Softcover

About the Book

Santorini through the lens of one of the most important Greek photographers of the 20th century
The Archive of Santorinian Studies – Dimitris Tsitouras Collection, continuing its long-standing contribution to preserving and highlighting the cultural and historical identity of Santorini, has just released its new bilingual (Greek-English) photo book titled “Dimitris Harisiadis – Santorini”, in collaboration with the Benaki Museum. This is the eighth luxury volume in the archive’s publishing series—a valuable documentation of Santorini through the lens of one of the most distinguished Greek photographers of the 20th century.

Dimitris Harisiadis (1911–1993) was renowned for the clarity of his vision, technical excellence, and refined aesthetic. His work captures Greece both in moments of historic significance and in scenes of everyday life, from the Greco-Italian War to the post-war reconstruction period. He collaborated with national and international institutions such as the Greek National Tourism Organisation, UNRRA, and UNESCO. His photographic archive, which includes both documentary and artistic landscapes and portraits, is now part of the Benaki Museum Photographic Archive.

A highlight of the book is the historical visit of West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to Santorini in 1954—just ten years after the end of World War II. He was accompanied by notable figures of the time, including Spiros Markezinis, renowned archaeologist Professor Spyridon Marinatos, and writer Spiros Melas. Melas’ three chronicle-style articles about the trip, originally published in the newspaper Estia, are republished in the book.

The publication also includes insightful contributions: Professor Theodoros Koutroubas (Catholic University of Louvain) explores the historical and political context of the visit; Aliki Tsirgialou from the Benaki Museum writes about Harisiadis and the acquisition of his archive; and Eleni Helmi-Markezini shares personal memories from her family’s close friendship with “Dimi” Harisiadis.