1974 marked the end of an entire era and the beginning of a completely new one. Its transitional character was vividly captured in its contradictions. It was both an annus horribilis and an annus mirabilis.

Disastrous because the first half was marked by the darkest version of the dictatorial regime that caused an irreparable national catastrophe in Cyprus, which in turn led to its collapse. Amazing because on the ruins of the junta, the most successful version of smooth democratic life in the Greek state was rebuilt with almost unbelievable speed and certainly with admirable effectiveness.

The long-standing constitutional issue was settled in an indisputable and therefore definitive manner. Furthermore, the foundations for Greece's active participation in the European integration project were re-established.

1974 was decisive on another level as well: that of shaping Greek-Turkish relations. Almost all the claims raised by Turkey against Greece to this day have their roots in the transitional period between 1973 and 1974.

The turning point of 1974 was eloquently reflected even in everyday language, where the division of "before 1974" and "after 1974" became a reference point, and continues to be so today.