Soloup’s graphic novel 1821 Revolution refers to the struggle of Greeks for independence from the Turcs. A fight of global interest at that historical moment, that rocked Europe after the Napoleonic wars and shaped difficult diplomatic balances between the Ottoman Empire and the European monarchies.

The fight of the Greeks inspired Europe, created movements of support such as “Philhellenism”, and influenced arts, poetry, painting, literature, etc. (indicatively we mention the names of Eugene Delacroix, V. Hugo, Lord Byron, M. Shelley etc.)   

In Soloup’s graphic novel all these are masterfully intergraded in the scenario and the art.

The recent tension in Greek-Turkish relations, the relations in general of Europe with the old “Sick Man of Europe” and the neo-Ottoman tendencies of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, all these factors create a stimulating political and ideological context and invite us to focus on the history of Eastern Mediterranean and to look at the formation of today balances, 200 years ago: at the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 19^th century and the birth of national states.

The plot is divided in two sets/series (21 main chapters + 21 short chapters).

The graphic novel “1821 Revolution” is an artistically independent production of Soloup in collaboration with three Greek historical researchers. In the process, it has been linked and funded from the University of the Aegean, The Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, the National Historical Museum of Greece/ Athens, and the Museum Stratis Eleftheriadis – Tériade in Lesvos.

Ikaros, 2021, 620 p.(700 p. with the historical appendix) / B/w