27 March 2025

We are glad to announce the successful organization of the “Clandestine Education: Characteristic Triggering Circumstances and Case Studies” event, held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Athens Institute, under the auspices of the Athenian Academic Periodical. The program is available at: www.atiner.gr/athacpe/27March2025-en.pdf

The event brought together distinguished scholars who shared their expertise on various aspects of hidden and clandestine education throughout history. Utku Ozer from the Athens Institute presented on Education under the Ottoman Empire, exploring the challenges of education under Ottoman rule. Antonis Smyrnaios, Professor of History at the University of Thessaly, discussed The Paradoxical Adventures of Historical Sources: The Hidden School, shedding light on the complexities of historical sources related to clandestine schooling. Gregory T. Papanikos, President of the Athens Institute, covered Illegal (Secret) Schools and Latent Demand under Occupation and Oppression: The Case of Greece under Ottoman Rule, examining the role of secret educational systems during the Ottoman occupation of Greece. Thanos Skouras, Emeritus Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, addressed How Effective Were the Greek Secret Schools in Preserving the Greek Language?, highlighting the importance of these schools in maintaining Greek language and culture. Constantine G. Hatzidimitriou, Research Associate at St. John’s University, USA, offered Comments on the Prolegomena for a Study of Greek Education During the Tourkokratia and the Question of the Existence of Secret Schools, providing insights into Greek education during the Tourkokratia period and the debate over secret schools. John Spiridakis, Chair of the Department of Education Specialties at St. John University, USA, explored Greek Schooling in the USA as a Kind of Subversive Activity Akin to the Secret Greek Schools in Greece, comparing Greek schooling in the US to the subversive activities of secret schools in Greece. Kathleen Ann O’Donnell, External Researcher at the British School at Athens, presented on Celtic (Irish) Literature: Hedge Schools and Revolution, discussing the role of Irish hedge schools in preserving culture and literature under colonial rule. Aleksandra Tryniecka, Deputy Head of the Literature Unit at the Athens Institute and Assistant Professor at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland, spoke on The Hidden Polish School: The “Flying” University, highlighting the educational role of the “Flying University” in Poland. Angelo Nicolaides, Professor at the University of Zululand, South Africa, presented on Education under Apartheid, focusing on the educational challenges faced under apartheid in South Africa. Finally, Linda Taylor, Executive at the Educational Justice Institute, USA, discussed Hidden Schools and Education of Enslaved Persons, shedding light on the clandestine education of enslaved individuals in the US.

The event provided valuable insights into the resilience of education during times of oppression, and we thank all our speakers and participants for making it a success.