Mati Observatory

The great disaster caused by the fire in East Attica on 23 July 2018, with more than 100 dead and huge material damage, has left its mark on society. It is, after all, the deadliest fire ever recorded in the history of the modern Greek state.

The “Mati Observatory”, which operated from 2019 to 2022, consisted of a long-term survey that recorded the reconstruction calendar of the affected area and whose content was available, as it was produced, to the public and the media for republication. At the same time, regular organised engagement activities with residents helped to highlight as much as possible the issues affecting the local community.

Through reportage, interviews and special features, the Observatory followed closely community processes in Neo Voutzas, Mati and the entire region. From the demolition of arbitrary buildings, compensation, the licensing and construction of new houses, the return of residents, the management and utilization of funds, the life of children at school, reforestation to even small incidents of everyday life.

The material produced by the Observatory, texts and audiovisual, were published on the project’s website, while most of the texts were also published in inside story. which for editorial and technical reasons had undertaken the publication. The material - unless otherwise stated - is licensed under a “Creative Commons” license to ensure the widest exposure.

Tasos Telloglou, a journalist who has been systematically involved in the fire, was in charge of the investigation, while the team was complemented by experienced journalists, photographers, directors, editors, etc.

Most of the articles of the Observatory on Eye can be found at inside story.