Performance and Interactive Lecture as part of the Exhibition “Garment of the Soul”

The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia Foundation (IMMA) and the Papageorgiou Foundation are organizing an Event and an interactive lecture titled *“The Importance of Clothing in the Formation of National Consciousness in the New Greek State”* on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 18:30 in the exhibition spaces of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle. This event is held in connection with the *“Garment of the Soul”* exhibition by the artistic duo Vangelis Kyri – Anatoli Georgiev, which will be on display until January 6 at the MIET Annex in Thessaloniki.

Stavroula Mavrogeni, Professor at the Department of Balkan, Slavic & Eastern Studies and Director of the Center for Research on Macedonian History and Documentation at IMMA, will explore the significance of clothing over time and place as a language of communication in the new Greek state during her interactive lecture. Inside the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, the exhibits and live models will be used through dramatization as a means to understand the role of clothing as a tool for differentiation, not only of the individual from the group but also between different groups. Clothing will also be explored as a characteristic identity element for group members and as a symbol that sets them in opposition to other groups. Furthermore, the role of common structural and decorative elements of a costume will be highlighted, both as a symbol of gender identity and as a representation of national dress.

Due to limited capacity, it is necessary to reserve a spot by filling out the registration form here: [https://forms.gle/iGnv4YuzdAQ69BfG9](https://forms.gle/iGnv4YuzdAQ69BfG9)

Event coordination and organization: Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Modern History of Macedonia Foundation (IMMA)

The *“Garment of the Soul”* exhibition by the artistic duo Vangelis Kyri – Anatoli Georgiev is under the patronage of Her Excellency, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and is an initiative of the Papageorgiou Foundation in collaboration with the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank of Greece. This initiative, beyond the initial presentation of costumes from the collections of the National Historical Museum, the Historical Museum of Crete, and the Lyceum of Greek Women of Heraklion, has been supported by significant cooperation from organizations in Thessaloniki and Northern Greece.

The exhibition features traditional Macedonian costumes and official uniforms from IMMA’s permanent collection, such as:

– The *doulama* of the Macedonian fighter Dimitrios TsiTsimis

– The official consular uniform of Lampros Enialis

– The uniform of Admiral Ioannis Demestichas

– Velvet costume (probably a wedding dress) with gold embroidery

– Costume from Alexandria of Imathia

– Coat of the Macedonian fighter teacher Marigouda Petrou Frangou

– The “festive” uniform of Macedonian fighter Georgios Roubesis or Captain Tzavara, from the Folklore and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia – Thrace Collection, exhibited at IMMA.

For more information about the exhibition, visit: [https://www.miet.gr/event-list/event-Ekthesi-Endyma-Psyxhs](https://www.miet.gr/event-list/event-Ekthesi-Endyma-Psyxhs)