MENTOR Newsletter Now Available
The first edition of the MENTOR Newsletter is now available in both English and German. The newsletter offers a comprehensive overview of the project’s progress to date, highlighting key milestones, events, and upcoming activities.
Read the full newsletters here.
MENTOR – More than a joke: humour in times of dictatorships is a European initiative that examines how humour, satire, and political cartoons have served as tools of resistance and civic expression under dictatorial regimes. By connecting historical and contemporary perspectives, the project seeks to raise awareness of the role of humour in defending democracy, protecting freedom of speech, and preserving collective memory across Europe.
Project Highlights
Online Event: “More than a joke – satire under
dictatorship” (July 2, 2025)
The first major public activity of the MENTOR Project brought together
academics, cartoonists, and representatives from memory institutions to discuss
how humour has functioned as a means of civic resistance and social commentary
under authoritarian rule.
Researchers’ Night, Athens (September 26, 2025)
During this major annual European research event, which attracts approximately
10,000 visitors, Panteion University presented the MENTOR Project’s aims and
survey findings. The event provided an opportunity to engage directly with
students, educators, and citizens, promoting dialogue on the value of humour as
a form of civic expression and democratic engagement.
The Role of Volunteers
Volunteers are an integral part of the MENTOR Project. Their contributions support the collection of materials for the project’s Digital Library, participation in exhibitions and outreach activities, and engagement in collaborative workshops that promote shared reflection and knowledge exchange.
The next opportunity to participate will be the online MENTOR Workshop on 13 November 2025, 16:00-19:00 CET, open to all interested individuals. Registered participants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Register as a volunteer: Volunteers
