Greek Independence Day Event in Boston USA

 

 

 

On March 25, 2021, Hellenes and Philhellenes “Steering Committee” in coordination with the Pontian Society ‘Panagia Soumela’ of Boston hosted an important event.

A ceremony was held on the historic warship USS Constitution “Old Ironsides” in Boston, MA to commemorate the 200-year Anniversary of the Greek Independence and the philhellenic movement in the United States at the time.

The USS Constitution was in the Mediterranean Sea during the years of the Greek Revolution, as well as in the Aegean Sea, where it escorted safely to port merchant vessels delivering humanitarian aid to the Greek people. The aid was sent from the good citizens of the United States. The role of the USS Constitution as part of the Mediterranean Squadron was to keep the sea lanes open to merchant shipping.

Greece and Cyprus’ national anthem Ὕμνος εἰς τὴν Ἐλευθερίαν – Hymn to Liberty” consists of 158 stanzas. Written by Dionysios Solomos in 1823, Stanza 22 honors the Philhellenic movement in America at the time of Greece’s War of Independence:

Stanza 22:

Γκαρδιακὰ χαροποιήθη
καὶ τοῦ Βάσιγκτον ἡ γῆ
καὶ τὰ σίδερα ἐνθυμήθη
ποῦ τὴν ἔδεναν κι αὐτή.

Wholeheartedly joyful
Was also Washington’s land
And the shackles that bound her
She remembered firsthand.

This event paid tribute to the Americans that honored and sacrificed for the freedom of people of common values and heritage. USS Constitution Commander John Benda gave the opening remarks. A USSC color guard presented the colors.

The event closed with a speech by the descendant of the Greek Revolution orphan George Sirian, who was rescued the ship USS Constitution, and transported to the USA as a refugee.

The national anthems of the United States and Greece were sung by Ms. Panayota Haloulakou.

Speakers included:

Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic
United States Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland
United States Congressman Gus Bilirakis of Florida
Mr. Stratos Efthymiou, Consul General of Greece in Boston
Mr. Michael Dukakis, former Governor of Massachusetts
Ms. Anne Rand, President & Chief Executive Officer of the USS Constitution Museum
Mr. Hans Charles, Consul General of Haiti in Boston
Mr. João Pedro Fins do Lago, Consul General of Portugal in Boston
Ambassador Meron Reuben, Consul General of Israel in Boston
Ms. Gillian Kellogg, Descendant of the great Philhellene, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe
Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, Athens, Greece
Prof. Emmanuel E. (Manolis) Paraschos, Professor Emeritus at Emerson College
Dr. Jeanne McDougall, great-great granddaughter of George Sirian

The Ambassador of Belgium, Ms. Françoise Gustin, presented a flag offered by the Belgian Parliament to the Philhellenism Museum

 

The photo shows the Ambassador of Belgium in front of an important painting by a Flemish painter of 1650 depicting a scene from the Iliad (the abduction of Helen).

 

The Ambassador of Belgium, Ms. Françoise Gustin, hands over to the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), a flag offered by the Belgian Parliament, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary from the Greek Revolution and the opening of the Philhellenism Museum.

SHP warmly thanks the Speaker of the Belgian House of Representatives, Ms. Eliane Tillieux, and assures that it will forever honor this flag which will symbolize the long-standing bonds of friendship between the people of Belgium and Greece.

 

Τhe Speaker of the Belgian House of Representatives, Ms. Eliane Tillieux

 

The Philhellenism Museum honors, among others, Belgium, which has contributed in many since the Renaissance the promotion of the Hellenic culture, as a cornerstone of Western civilization and the European integration.

The Philhellenism Museum exhibits works of art by Belgian painters on the theme of the Greek Revolution, as well as the history of Belgian Philhellenes who fought in Greece on the side of the Greeks. It also presents the actions of the Philhellenic Committees operating in Belgium.

One of them is Augustin De Lannoy (December 28, 1798, July 6, 1826), who died in Andros.

 

 

SHP thanks the Belgian diplomat and Philhellene Mr. Theo Dirix, who assisted with his research the actions of SHP to study the biographies of the Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourgish Philhellenes who supported the struggle of the Greeks for national independence.

The Ambassador of Austria Ms. Hermine Poppeller visited the Museum of Philhellenism

 

 

The Ambassador of Austria Mrs. Poppeller was given a tour of the Museum of Philhellenism. The representatives of the Museum had the pleasure and the honor to present to her the evolution of the history of Philhellenism, the exhibits of the Museum, as well as paintings by artists from Austria of the 18th and 19th centuries.

During the visit, SHP (Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism) presented to the Embassy the biographical notes of Philhellenes of Austrian origin, who participated in the Greek Revolution and fought on the side of the Greeks.

The photo shows Ambassador Poppeller next to a painting with a Greek mythology subject by the great neoclassical painter Angelika Kauffmann (1741-1807).

Reference was also made to the Zografeio School of Ioannina, Greece, which honors in the context of the celebration of 200 years, the Austrian Philhellenes. The Zografeio School is named after an emblematic family of National Benefactors of Greece, the Zografou family, who connect the Greek people with Vienna and the friendly people of Austria.

The anthem of the 200th anniversary

An inspired poem by a great and enlightened author that praises the struggle of the Greeks and the Philhellenes and the values of the classical culture on which the entire western world and civilized humanity are based.

Read more

ΤΟ VIMA – 21 March 2021

The Philhellenism Museum

Presentation of the newspaper TO BHMA on the occasion of the visit of the American Ambassador G. Pyatt.

 

The logo of the Philhellenism Museum

 

 

SHP presents the logo of the Philhellenism Museum.

The design is based on two elements. The first is the Greek letter Φ, which is composed by two semicircles which refer to amphitheaters, symbolizing the participation of men and women in the civilization and democracy represented by Hellenism and Philhellenism.

The second is the letter M, which is composed by the two parts of an open gate, which invites humanity to participate in the Greek culture and civilization.

The two elements together symbolize a modern Museum, open to the society, which honors and promotes Philhellenism.

The aim of SHP is to honor with the creation of the Philhellenism Museum, the Philhellenes who from the Renaissance until the 19th century contributed to the evolution of western civilization and to the liberation of Greece. At the same time, SHP will lay, through its work and series of actions, the foundations for the promotion of a continuous Philhellenism.

Our gratitude belongs to Mr. Giorgos Daoularis and Ms. Eleni Papadopoulou of impressmer.gr for the outstanding partnership we had during the branding/ logo design of our Museum.

The American Ambassador G. Pyatt at the Museum of Philhellenism

 

US Ambassador Geoffry Pyatt visited the Museum of Philhellenism and the periodic exhibition on American Philhellenism, part of the 1821-2021 program: USA & Greece 200 years of friendship. The exhibition will be officially inaugurated in April 2021 and will highlight the long-standing bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite the two countries on the basis of the principles and values ​​of classical Greece.

https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyAthens/

 

 

PRESS RELEASE – The Museum of Philhellenism is ready

 

 

SHP announces with great pleasure that the Museum of Philhellenism is ready to open its gates. The Museum tells the fascinating history of the Philhellenic movement from the Renaissance until today, presenting over 2.500 important works of art, paintings, books, documents and items of all kinds.

The Museum’s website will be ready soon, which will also offer a virtual 3D tour.

As of the first day, the Museum attracted huge interest internationally. Here are some examples:

 

 

1821-2021: Commemorative series of 10 medals of the SHP / Museum of Philhellenism

 

Tenth medal: The Swedish-Finnish Philhellene August Maximilian Myhrberg

 

 

After the first quadrilingual and luxurious anniversary edition related to the Philhellenism, we present an impressive collection of medals depicting 10 emblematic Philhellenes and 20 Greeks who contributed to the liberation of Greece.

Side A (recto) of the medal presents the emblem of the Friendly Society (Filiki Etairia), which organized the Greek Revolution, based on the values ​​of Hellenism and Philhellenism. Side B (verso) presents the figure of an important Philhellene or Greek actor of the Greek Revolution. The design and implementation of the medals is a product of the work of the Greek creator Mr. Thanassis Dovas, in collaboration with SHP and the Museum of Philhellenism.

The medals have a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 3.5 mm. They are offered in bronze, brass and silver, and are available individually (in a package of one medal) or in a case of ten.

Medal price (bronze or brass): 49 Euro.
Medal price (silver 925): 99 Euro.

For orders:
Tel: 6974750361
email: info@eefshp.org

1821-2021: Commemorative series of 10 medals of the SHP / Museum of Philhellenism

 

Ninth medal: Ο Ludwig I, King of Bavaria

 

 

After the first quadrilingual and luxurious anniversary edition related to the Philhellenism, we present an impressive collection of medals depicting 10 emblematic Philhellenes and 20 Greeks who contributed to the liberation of Greece.

Side A (recto) of the medal presents the emblem of the Friendly Society (Filiki Etairia), which organized the Greek Revolution, based on the values ​​of Hellenism and Philhellenism. Side B (verso) presents the figure of an important Philhellene or Greek actor of the Greek Revolution. The design and implementation of the medals is a product of the work of the Greek creator Mr. Thanassis Dovas, in collaboration with SHP and the Museum of Philhellenism.

The medals have a diameter of 40 mm and a thickness of 3.5 mm. They are offered in bronze, brass and silver, and are available individually (in a package of one medal) or in a case of ten.

Medal price (bronze or brass): 49 Euro.
Medal price (silver 925): 99 Euro.

For orders:
Tel: 6974750361
email: info@eefshp.org