CALENDAR 2025: History and Environment of Macedonia (19th–20th Century)

The 2025 Calendar of the Foundation Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia (IMMA), titled History and Environment of Macedonia (19th–20th century), explores the relationship between history and the environment.

Using Macedonia as the focal point, this Calendar attempts to examine the concept of space within history.

The causes and consequences of human interaction with the environment have been the subject of numerous studies, where researchers focused either on spatial human behavior or on how the environment is imprinted in human perception.

Analyzing historical events in connection with the reciprocal relationship between human societies and the environment across different historical periods offers an innovative way to “read” the Macedonian landscape.

This is a desk calendar–album, presented in two languages (Greek–English), featuring rare photographs and archival material.

From the Battle of Vasilika in 1821 in the Anthemountas Valley to the Battle of Kilkis–Lahanas in 1913, and from the 1878 uprising on Mount Olympus to the crossing of the Axios River by the Greek Army entering Thessaloniki as liberators, the region’s physical geography played a decisive role in the outcomes of battles and conflicts in Macedonia during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The study of twelve significant events—examined alongside the formation of the terrain and surrounding environment—was entrusted to both geologists and historians, aiming for a dual, interdisciplinary approach to showcase the profound connection between memory, nature, and landscape.

The texts are authored by:

• Spyridon Pavlidis, Professor Emeritus of Geology (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – AUTH)
• Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor of Balkan, Slavic, and Oriental Studies (University of Macedonia – UoM), Director of KEMIT
• Vasileios Melfos, Professor of Geology (AUTH)
• Alexandros Chatzipetros, Associate Professor of Geology (AUTH)
• Dr. Konstantinos Papanikolaou, Scientific Associate of IMMA
• Vangelis Kansizoglou, Research Assistant at IMMA

The scientific support for the project was provided by Stavroula Mavrogeni, Spyridon Pavlidis, and Ioannis Stefanidis, Professor of Diplomatic History (School of Law, AUTH).

The text editing team included Stavroula Mavrogeni, Ioannis Stefanidis, Athina Pavlidou, Konstantinos Papanikolaou, and Evangelos Kansizoglou.

The general coordination of the project was undertaken by Athina Pavlidou, Director of IMMA.

The Calendar is available for purchase at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle’s gift shop and e-shop, as well as at major bookstores in the city.