In a vibrant snapshot from post-war Greece during an early 1950s summer, photographer Robert McCabe captured the packed deck of the ferry “Despina,” overflowing with travelers eager for a much-needed island getaway after the war.
A young man, his smile infectious, pumped a rhythmic melody from his accordion. Around him, people found their spots wherever they could. Some sat on wooden benches, others claimed their territory on stacked luggage and canvas-covered cargo.
A woman in a floral dress leaned against the railing, fanning herself, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Further back, a woman in a traditional headscarf clutched a woven basket, her belongings secured for the journey.
The ferry was a floating microcosm of a community bound for a shared destination—summer. For a brief voyage, all were united by the simple promise of warmth, family, and the cool, cleansing waters of the Aegean.
Robert McCabe captured post-war summers in Greece
American philhellene and veteran photographer Robert McCabe captured post-war Greece in hundreds of mesmerizing photos that depicted the country’s landscape and people during a difficult yet more innocent era.
His lifetime work, reflected in numerous exhibitions and books, made him an unofficial ambassador for Greece. His ties to the country were further strengthened when he married his Greek wife, Dina.
In 2020, he was granted honorary Greek citizenship at a ceremony held at the Greek Consulate in Boston.
Related: Post-War Greece Through the Photographs of Robert McCabe
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