The publication accompanies the exhibition of the same name, which was co-organized by the Benaki Museum and the Historical Archive of the National Bank of Greece and hosted at the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture from October 15, 2025, to January 11, 2026. It begins with the seminal publication Ἑλληνικαί ἐθνικαί ἐνδυμασίαι (Hellenic National Costumes), edited by Antonis Benakis, in collaboration with folklorist Angeliki Hatzimichali and painter Nicolas Sperling (vol. 1: Athens 1948, vol. 2: Athens 1954), the exhibition and publication reflect the long process of creation and the adventures of printing the book by the pioneering company Aspiotis-ELKA, but also place this effort in the artistic and ideological context of the time.

Work on the publication began in 1930, a year before the Benaki Museum opened its doors to the public. Its preparation, which spanned part of the interwar period, reflects the ideological and aesthetic climate of the society of the time, a society which, among other things, “discovered” Greek folk art and invested in the concept of Greekness.

The publication was edited by Pari Kalamara and Xenia Politou.