Listening to the voice of the streets: The story of Greece’s economic crisis through Graffiti

In his new book, Greek Australian author Jorge Sotirios looks at the years of the economic crisis and the impact it had on Greeks, through the accounts of people who experienced it first hand and the graffiti that is ever present in Greek cities.

Jorge Sotirios leaning against a Graffitti in Greece Source: Supllied/Jorge Sotirios

When Jorge Sotirios first set out to write ‘’Graffiti over Marble - A Portrait of Greece in Crisis’’, he wanted to keep the focus on how the economic crisis affected Greeks themselves, rather than the country.

‘’There are many books containing theories and statistics about the crisis. Which is why I wanted to show the daily life of Greeks.

Mr Sotirios conducted his research over a series of trips to Greece, during the span of 8 years. In addition to photographs of graffities found in Greece, the book contains the accounts of friends and relatives, describing their own struggles and experiences during those years.

How does graffiti connect to all this?

In Greece graffiti is a common sight in city streets. From the walls of buildings to public transport vehicles such as trains. For Jorge Sotirios, it is a portrait of the every day life in Greece.

‘’It is a voice in the streets and you have to explore it’’ said Mr Sotirios. ‘’In Australia we don’t have as much graffiti. We have an order here. In Greece there is chaos and graffiti depicts that chaos’’.

‘’Graffiti over Marble - A Portrait of Greece in Crisis’’ is published by InHouse Publishing.

Press Play to hear the full interview in Greek.