Between Revolution and Empire: The Ionian Islands during the Greek War of Independence

Talk by George Vardas

In 1821 the Ionian Islands or Heptanese — Corfu, Ithaka, Paxos, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Lefkas and Kythera — were a British protectorate and not subject to Ottoman oppression.  Nonetheless, the revolutionary spirit that was beginning to sweep through the Greek mainland and some Aegean islands was shared by many Heptanesians. Despite British attempts to maintain Ionian neutrality the islands played a significant role in the Greek Revolution, from Lord Byron to Count Kapodistrias and beyond. Writer and cultural heritage advocate George Vardas of the Kytherian World Heritage Fund will examine the history of the Ionian Islands during the Greek War of Independence.