THE ROLE OF FOOTBALL IN THE GREEK POST WAR SOCIETY THROUGH THE PRISM OF ANDREAS FRANGIAS’ NOVEL PEOPLE AND HOUSES

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the role of football in the lives of the novel’s characters, in what way football is represented in Greek society in the early post war period, as well as to which extent this role is similar to the role of football in current society. It turned out that that role was extremely big, football was the only possibility for entertainment and relaxation, but also much more than that. Football matches were a place of gathering and strengthening of unity, an opportunity to belong to the community and to be accepted, but also a source of faith and hope for a better future and a place where the people could still win with the same zeal with which they looked at war victories. Nowadays, fan enthusiasm and belonging to a team are equally pronounced, but football now shares its social role from the post-war period with other sports that have become accessible to the public. The fact is, however, that no other sport has surpassed the love and passion for football.