
Rethinking a Radical Reputation
An Athens Neighbourhood between Media Hype and Social Experience
Maria Kenti-Kranidioti(Author)
Berghahn Books (Publisher)
Published on 1. September 2025
Book
Hardback
206 pages
978-1-83695-133-9 (ISBN)
Description
Known for its anarchist and leftist movements, its uprisings and its vibrant counterculture, Exarcheia has long been a symbol of resistance and political activism in Greece. Through the voices and experiences of those who live, work and move through Exarcheia, this book delves into Athens' most contested neighbourhood - both its visible, striking elements and the unseen, elusive forces that linger in whispers, silences and memories. It unravels the tensions and contradictions of a place where beauty and resistance, decay and resilience are coexistent. Rather than reinforcing or dismissing its cliches and stereotypes, this exploration reveals the layered histories and political narratives that shape Exarcheia's past, present and future.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a highly engaging account of the ambivalent discourses surrounding Exarcheia ... it is a compelling reading for anthropology, urban studies and political activism." * Olga Demetriou, Durham UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Library binding
Illustrations
Bibliography; Index; 21 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
417 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-83695-133-9 (9781836951339)
DOI
10.3167/9781836951339
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Maria Kenti-Kranidioti
Rethinking a Radical Reputation
An Athens Neighbourhood between Media Hype and Social Experience
E-Book
09/2025
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€24.49
Available for download

Maria Kenti-Kranidioti
Rethinking a Radical Reputation
An Athens Neighbourhood between Media Hype and Social Experience
E-Book
09/2025
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€24.49
Available for download
Person
Maria Kenti-Kranidioti is a social anthropologist and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cyprus. Her research interests include urban anthropology, comparative ethnography, politics, identity, displacement and social movements.
Content
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Notes on Transliteration
Introduction: A Place That Does Not Exist
Chapter 1. Mapping Affective Geographies, Reading Exarcheian Archives
Chapter 2. Narratives of Apoliticisation and Political Performativity
Chapter 3. The 'Exarcheia Problem': Moral and Material 'Wretchedness' in the Neighbourhood
Chapter 4. Politics of Neglect and Conceptualisations of 'the State'
Conclusion. Departures. 'The Metro is Coming!'
References
Index
Acknowledgements
Notes on Transliteration
Introduction: A Place That Does Not Exist
Chapter 1. Mapping Affective Geographies, Reading Exarcheian Archives
Chapter 2. Narratives of Apoliticisation and Political Performativity
Chapter 3. The 'Exarcheia Problem': Moral and Material 'Wretchedness' in the Neighbourhood
Chapter 4. Politics of Neglect and Conceptualisations of 'the State'
Conclusion. Departures. 'The Metro is Coming!'
References
Index