A Powerful Look Inside Austerity-Hit Greece

2 minute read

When the European sovereign debt crisis hit in 2008, media commentary often focused on the fate of the so-called “PIIGS“. Namely, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain. These were the countries saddled with the largest debt and slowest economic growth, and were the ones — excepting Spain and Italy — that received multi-billion dollar bailouts from the E.U. and International Monetary Fund. These emergency plans, it was said, would keep their economies afloat, but came with a caveat: governments would have to massively reduce spending in an effort to rein in their out-of-control finances.

The move was deeply unpopular. In Greece, austerity measures became associated with public sector layoffs, welfare cuts and later, to the rise of far right and far left political parties. In Ireland, large scale emigration and a collapsed property market dominated the national conversation, while Portugal dealt with mass youth unemployment.

Today, things have changed — at least for some. On paper, Lisbon and Dublin seem to be recovering, with their gradually rising credit ratings. But the situation in Athens often looks like it’s getting worse. Today, it is estimated that close to one million Greeks do not have access to healthcare — which has been linked to a rise in HIV infection, infant mortality and suicide rates — while 40 percent of Greek children live below the poverty line.

It is this Greece that photographer Angelos Tzortzinis set out to capture. Over the course of six years, he has documented the effects of austerity measures in his native country, one he says he no longer recognizes.

The images that have emerged are as powerful as they are shocking. The photographer shows us everything from charged Golden Dawn rallies to women working as prostitutes, and from immigrants seeking shelter to drug addicts in their bedrooms. This is a humbling, often intense, meditation on the fragility of apparent social cohesion and on the very real impact that political and economic policies can have on everyday life.

Angelos Tzortzinis is a photographer based in Athens

Richard Conway is a contributor for TIME LightBox

 

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Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest in Athens. Angelos Tzortzinis
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A young protestor is seen after severe clashes took place in central Athens.Angelos Tzortzinis
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A protester uses a flare pistol against riot police during clashes during a general strike in Athens.Angelos Tzortzinis
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An alley near Omonia Square frequently used by drug users.Angelos Tzortzinis
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Dinos sleeps at the living room of his house with the light of a candle at the Perama district in Athens. Dinos lives with his mother Dimitra at a small house without electricity the last six months. Thousands of Greek families live without electricity.Angelos Tzortzinis
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Anna works as a prostitute and is seen here with her boyfriend Michalis at a hotel in central Athens. Anna prostitutes daily and also uses drugs. Angelos Tzortzinis
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Adriana works as a prostitute and is in the eighth month of her pregnancy. She is seen being is kissed by her boyfriend Nikos. Adriana has no health insurance and cannot cover the expenses of her pregnancy.Angelos Tzortzinis
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Golden Dawn leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos delivers a speech to party supporters during a rally. Michaloliakos is now imprisoned.Angelos Tzortzinis
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Clothes are packed in a car which serves as shelter for a homeless man.Angelos Tzortzinis
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People grab free produce distributed by farmers in Athens. Angelos Tzortzinis
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A woman cries during a demonstration of municipal workers in Athens. Angelos Tzortzinis
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A makeshift homeless shelter is seen in the centre of Athens. Angelos Tzortzinis
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A boy is seen in a crowd at a Golden Dawn party pre-election rally in Athens. Angelos Tzortzinis
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An immigrant rests next to the port of Igoumenitsa, waiting for a chance to jump on a truck heading to Italy. Angelos Tzortzinis
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Matina Tetsiou, her husband Lenos Aspros and their children rest in their living room at the district of Nea Ionia., Athens. Matina and Lenos are both unemployed. Angelos Tzortzinis
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Stela is a drug addict and also works as a prostitute. She suffers from hepatitis. Angelos Tzortzinis
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A Palestinian family is seen resting at a train station after a five hour journey on foot from the Greek-Turkish border.Angelos Tzortzinis
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Immigrants from Somalia and Afganistan are seen under arrest by the Hellenic Coast guard. Angelos Tzortzinis

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