Helen Antoniadis-Bibicou facts for kids
Helen Antoniadis-Bibicou (born July 21, 1923 – died June 12 or 13, 2017) was a brilliant Greek historian. She specialized in the Byzantine Empire, which was a powerful empire in Eastern Europe and Asia that lasted for over a thousand years. She was also very active in groups that worked for freedom and fairness.
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A Life of Learning and Action
Early Life and Studies
Helen Antoniadis-Bibicou was born in 1923. When she was young, Greece was going through a tough time. During a period when Greece was ruled by a dictator (a leader with total power) in 1940, she joined a youth group called OKNE. This group was part of the Communist Party of Greece, which aimed to create a society where everyone was equal.
Later, when Germany occupied Greece during World War II, she joined groups like EAM Neon and EPON. These groups bravely resisted the occupation. She even helped edit a newspaper called Nea Genia (meaning "New Generation"). She studied history at the University of Athens with a famous professor named Dionysios Zakythinos.
Fighting for Freedom
In 1947, Helen went to France to continue her studies. She had also studied at the French Institute in Athens with Octave Merlier. In Paris, she continued to be involved in political activities, working to support democratic ideas in Greece. For example, in 1949, she helped organize a visit for the famous French poet Paul Éluard to meet with Greek resistance fighters.
She studied with important historians like Paul Lemerl and Fernand Brundel. She also worked as a researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research of France (CENRS), which is a big research organization.
When Greece was again ruled by a military government (the "Regime of the Colonels"), Helen organized resistance efforts from France. She was the general secretary of the Hellenic-French Movement for a Free Greece. She also served as vice-president of the Pierre Belon Interdisciplinary Society, which brought together scholars from different fields.
Awards and Recognition
For her brave actions and dedication, Helen Antoniadis-Bibicou received several honors. She was awarded the Medal of the National Resistance and the Golden Cross of the Order of Mercy.
