Messolonghi and Philhellenism: two-day events
The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Philhellenism Museum, in collaboration with the Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi, continue their collaboration with the aim of promoting the city as a constant beacon of Philhellenism.
In the context of the bicentenary of the Exodus of Messolonghi, 1826-2026, a memorial ceremony and tribute was organised dedicated to the fallen British officer Frank Abney Hastings, the admiral and commander of the emblematic corvette “Karteria”, the first steam-powered warship in world history designed in London and firstly used during the Greek War of Independence.
The event took place on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, at the historic site of the Frank Abney Hastings Monument in Aitoliko, in the city where in May 1828 the great Philhellene officer of our naval struggle was fatally wounded, in the context of the operations for the liberation of Messolonghi.
The event was welcomed by the Mayor of the Sacred City of Messolonghi, Mr. Spyridon Diamantopoulos. Speeches were conducted first by the President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Philhellenism Museum, Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, on the topic “Frank Abney Hastings and Philhellenism”, highlighting the deep, self-sacrificing contribution of the Admiral, as well as the overall impact of the philhellenic movement and international alliances on the outcome of the Revolution, and followed by the architect and engineer and Head of the Restoration of Ancient Monuments of the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Michalis Lefantzis, on the topic “The “Karteria” and the action of the emblematic ship”, which focused on the technological pioneering and military action of the historic corvette that changed the course of naval battles forever.
The inauguration of the exhibition “Messolonghi, City of Liberty and Ecumene” at the Trikoupion Cultural Center of the Sacred City of Messolonghi followed on Sunday, May 24th, 2026.
The first exhibition presented at the Trikoupion Cultural Center is an extensive tribute to Philhellenism with the collaboration of the Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi and the Philhellenism Museum, and the support of the Hellenic Parliament.
The inauguration ceremony was held by the Mayor of the Sacred City of Messolonghi, Mr. Spyridon Diamantopoulos, the President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Philhellenism Museum, Mr. Constantinos Velentzas and the collector Mr. Nikitas Stavrinakis.
The exhibition presents, through more than a hundred original rare exhibits, the historical dimension of the events of the Exodus, which determined the development of international Philhellenism during the 19th century.
The curator of the exhibition, Mr. Thodoris Koutsogiannis, Dr. of Art History and Curator of the Art Collection of the Hellenic Parliament, guided visitors through the important historical documents and works of art, analysing the iconography of the era and highlighting the impact that the Exodus of Messolonghi had on an international level.
The exhibition will last until July 2026, constituting a central point of reference for visitors to the city. Masterpieces of philhellenic art by internationally acclaimed artists and rare original documents of the Revolution are exhibited for the very first time in the Sacred City of Messolonghi in the context of the 200th anniversary of the Exodus, 1826-2026.
The exhibits come from the Collection of the Philhellenism Museum, while special honorary participation is given to the collectors Evangelos Angelakos, Konstantinos Arniakos, Nikitas Stavrinakis and Nikos Lyros, whom we warmly thank for their kind response.
The exhibition is held with the support of the Hellenic Parliament and the kind sponsorship of AEGEAS AMKE, Lilian Voudouri Foundation, George and Victoria Karelia Foundation, Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism.
Information: info@phmus.org
