2024 – Year of Lord Byron and Philhellenism

2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of the great romantic poet Lord Byron, who sacrificed his life in the Struggle for the independence of Greece. The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum declare 2024 as the “YEAR OF LORD BYRON AND PHILHELLENISM” with the aim of highlighting and honoring, through a series of actions, the great British Philhellene and the contribution of Philhellenism internationally, as well as institutionalizing lasting Philhellenism as the set of values on which Western civilization is based.

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum are planning a series of actions and events of historical, political, cultural, and educational content, aimed at raising international awareness on the promotion of the recent historical past as a source of inspiration for contemporary cultural creation and on the continuous philhellenism as a fundamental element of progress, based on the values of freedom, democracy, justice, and human rights.

 

The SHP program for 2024 includes, indicatively:

  • A funding programme to support actions to be implemented by organizations in Greece and internationally.
  • Events, exhibitions, and conferences in Greece, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Italy.
  • The official inauguration of the Philhellenes Monument in Athens.
  • The award of the Lord Byron Prize and Medal for 2024.
  • The announcement of a student competition for 2024 “YEAR OF LORD BYRON AND PHILLELLENISM”.
  • The announcement of a competition for the official logo for 2024 “YEAR OF LORD BYRON AND PHILLELLENISM”.
  • A series of commemorative publications.

For more information, please contact: +30.210.8094750, info@eefshp.org

 

 

/by

Presentation of the book “The Adventures of Daniel Elster in Greece in 21”

The presentation of the book “The Adventures of Daniel Elster in Greece in 21” by Kostas Papailiou and Regina Manousakis by Parisianou Publications took place on Wednesday 5/31/23 at the Philhellenism Museum. This is the fifth book of Parisianou Publications’ multi-volume “Philhellenic Library”, which was launched two years ago to honour the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution. This original series continues, thanks to the meticulous dedication of Kostas Papailiou and Parisianou Publications, bringing to light rare documents and hard-to-find archive material, so expanding the relevant bibliography with infrastructure works.

Daniel Elster, a German Philhellene, joined the Philhellenic Order as a physician in 1822, and after surviving the disastrous Battle of Peta and many adventures, he returned to his hometown and became a renowned musician. He penned voluminous memoirs with his companion the romantic writer Ludwig Bechstein, in which his chaotic life is portrayed in minute detail. Elster’s book contains thorough details of crucial events like as the Battle of Peta, as well as important figures of the Greek Revolution of 1821 such as Kolokotronis, Androutsos, Nikitaras, and Mavrokordatos.

The book was addressed by Konstantinos Velentzas, president of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), Thodoris Koutsoyiannis, curator of the Hellenic Parliament’s Collection of Works of Art, and Kostas Papailiou, author and editor of the series. Speakers referred to the importance and editorial excellence of the Philhellenic Library, praising the authors’ zeal and research, while Kostas Papailiou vividly narrated Daniel Elster’s life, presenting slides from the book’s rich illustrations. Actor Iordanis Kalesis read from Daniel Elster’s diaries, while musician Vangelis Konstantinopoulos accompanied the readings with his guitar.

Following the presentation, the audience posed questions to the speakers, sparking a lively debate that continued in the Museum’s courtyard, accompanied by beverages and food. Before the event began, the public was able to explore the Museum and view the rare exhibits from the Philhellenic collection.

Follow the link to watch the event.

 

/by

May 31, 2023: Presentation of the book “The adventures of Daniel Elster” at the Philhellenism Museum

 

The adventures of the Philhellene physician volunteer in Greece in 1822, Daniel Elster are published for the first time in Greece, edited by the historian and philologist Regina Manousakis and the editor of the Philhellenic Library series Kostas Papailiou.

This is the fifth volume in Parisianou Publications’ “Philhellenic Library” series, and it will be presented on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 19:00 at the Philhellenism Museum (12 Zisimopoulou, 11524 Athens). Constantinos Velentzas, president of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), Thodoris Koutsoyiannis, curator of the Hellenic Parliament’s Art Collection, and Kostas Papailiou, vice-president of SHP, author and series curator, will present the book.

The German Philhellene Daniel Elster served as a physician in the Philhellenes Battalion in 1822 and after surviving the disastrous Battle of Peta, after many adventures, he returned to his homeland and made a career as a famous musician. He penned voluminous memoirs with his companion the romantic writer Ludwig Bechstein, in which his adventurous life is portrayed in detail. Elster’s book contains thorough details on crucial events such as the Battle of Peta, as well as important figures of the Greek Revolution of 1821 such as Kolokotronis, Androutsos, Nikitaras, and Mavrokordatos.

/by

SHP on the anniversary of the Exodus of Messolonghi

 

The anniversary of the heroic Exodus of Messolonghi was celebrated this year with great success and a large crowd in attendance. The honored country was Switzerland and the great Swiss Philhellene Johann Jakob Meyer, who lost his life along with his family in the Exodus. Meyer, found his purpose in revolutionary Greece. He served as a doctor in the Navy under Miaoulis, converted to Orthodoxy, and married a Greek woman from Messolonghi, where he organized a pharmacy and a hospital. Above all, he was the publisher of the first Greek newspaper, the “Greek Chronicles” and is therefore considered the founder of modern Greek journalism.

For this reason, a very interesting event was organized on Friday, April 7, at the “Diexodos” cultural center, initiated by its founder, Nikos Kordosis, to honor Meyer and his contribution to the Greek Revolution. Among others, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Greece, Stefan Estermann, Mr. Rolf Huber, mayor of Schöfflisdorf, Meyer’s place of origin, the mayor of Messolonghi, Kostas Lyras, and the Regional Governor of Western Greece, Nektarios Farmakis, participated in the event. The celebratory speech was given by Ms. Maria Antoniadou, President of JUOADN (ESIEA), delivered the celebratory speech in which she referred, among other things, to JUOADN’s slogan, “Publication is the soul of justice,” which is attributed to Meyer. The celebratory events continued on Saturday, April 8th with the laying of a wreath at Meyer’s monument, where a memorial prayer was also held. Professor Kostas Papailiou, represented SHP at the event, as member of the advisory committee of the SHP.

 

Caption of the photo: Meyer’s monument in Messolonghi.

From left: K. Papailiou, Mrs. Papailiou-Parisianou, Mrs. Antoniadou, N. Kordosis (Photo by S. Koutsautis)

/by

Harvard University Workshop at Philhellenism Museum

,

Yesterday, on March 20, 2023, a successful workshop titled “Philhellenism across the ages” came to a close. The Workshop was co-hosted by the Museum of Philhellenism in Athens and the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies. Mr. Christos Aliprantis, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University specializing in philhellenism research, spoke at the event and, through fostering a framework of dialogue and interaction with the attendees, he delved into the previously uncharted territory of philhellenism.

To see more exciting events, stay tuned!

/by

Visit of the Hellenic-German Association “Philadelphia” to the Philhellenism Museum

On the occasion of the speech on German Philhellenism by the author, curator of the Philhellenic Library, and member of the Advisory Committee of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, Mr. Konstantinos Papailiou, the Museum of Philhellenism had the pleasure of hosting the Greek-German Association “Philadelphia”, on January 14, 2023.

After the speech, the President of the Museum, Mr. Konstantinos Velentzas, guided the members of the Association through the Museum’s collections, highlighting the under-lit parts in the history of the Philhellenic movement.

/by

31/5/2022: American Philhellenism and Human Rights – Event at the Philhellenism Museum

 

 

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), organizes in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens at the Philhellenism Museum, an event entitled: “American Philhellenism and human rights”.

The event is organized in collaboration with “This is Athens” as part of the program of “This is Athens City Festival”.

Invited are renowned Philhellenes and personalities in the field of education, business, and politics. Among them are Mr. Jacques Bouchard, Professor at the University of Montreal, Ms. Catherine Elisabeth Fleming, Rector of New York University, Mr. Alexander Kitroeff, Greek Historian, Professor of History at Haverford College, Pennsylvania, USA, and Visiting Professor at CYA, Mr. Mark Mazower, Professor of History at Columbia University in New York, members of the American College of Greece (Deree, Pierce, ALBA), the American College of Anatolia Thessaloniki, the American Community Schools of Athens and Athens College.

During the event, SHP will announce the award of the Lord Byron Medal to Professors Jacques Bouchard, Catherine Elisabeth Fleming and Mark Mazower.

The event will be coordinated by Ms. Katerina Sokou, Washington DC correspondent for Kathimerini and SKAI and nonresident senior fellow, Atlantic Council.

The event will take place on May 31, 2022 at 19.00, at the Philhellenism Museum, 12 Zisimopoulou, 11524 Athens.

For information:

Ms. Leoni P. Thanassoula
info@phmus.org
+30.210.8094750

/by

Visit of SHP to the birthplace of the great German Philhellene and hero of the Greek Revolution, Heirich Treiber

 

 

On the occasion of the 225th anniversary from the birth of the great Philhellene chief physician Heirich Treiber (1796 – 1882), the member of the advisory committee of SHP Costas Papailiou and his wife Margarita, visited the birthplace of the great Philhellene, the beautiful town of Meiningen in Thüringen, and paid tribute to the Treiber family tomb, which has been declared a protected monument in the area. They also located the Treiber’s family home in Meiningen Square, where his father ran the Pharmacy of the Court.

 

 

More details about Heirich Treiber and his enormous contribution to the Greek Revolution of 1821 can be found on the SHP’s website:

 

Heinrich Treiber, German doctor, great Philhellene, present during all important moments of the Greek Revolution

 

 

/by

The descendants of the Italian Philhellene Michele Roccavilla at the Philhellenism Museum

 

 

he Philhellenism Museum had the pleasure and honor to host at its premises the descendants of the great Italian Philhellene Michele Roccavilla who fought on the side of the Greeks during the War of Independence, and sacrificed himself for Greece.

The staff guided Alberto and Anna Roccavilla to the Museum and its collections. They then discussed the biography of their great ancestor and hero of the Greek Revolution and the contribution of the Italian Philhellenes to Greece and exchanged information on their sources and bibliography.

Mr. Alberto Roccavilla donated to the Museum the very important book he has written, presenting the life and work of his ancestor.

Alberto and Anna Roccavilla offered to help SHP and the Philhellenism Museum to seek information about other Italian Philhellenes, especially from the Piedmont area and to identify their descendants.

SHP thanked Alberto and Anna Roccavilla and announced its decision to honor them with the Lord Byron Medal at the relevant ceremony that will take place in 2022.

The following is a brief biography of their important ancestor.

Roccavilla, Michele (-1827). Italian Philhellene from Revello. Officer of the Sardinian Army. He was exiled from his country, due to the failure of the Italian patriotic revolution in March 1821, in which he had participated. At the end of 1825 he joined the Regular Army as a major under the orders of the French Philhellene Charles Fabvier. He distinguished himself in the battle of Chaidari on August 6, 1826, where he saved the Regular Army from an eventual destruction, due to the Turkish armament superiority. He was also distinguished in the siege of the Acropolis of Athens from the end of August 1826 until the defeat of the Greeks in the battle of Analatos, on April 24, 1827. Then he fell ill and was transferred to Methana, where he died on October 24, 1827.

 

/by

The environment, Sophocles and Philhellenism – Boris Johnson spoke ancient Greek at the UN General Assembly

 

 

Boris Johnson spoke ancient Greek at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2021.

The British Prime Minister asked the citizens to mobilize for the environment, with references to Sophocles: “Sophocles had said “πολλὰ τὰ δεινὰ κοὐδὲν ἀνθρώπου δεινότερον πέλει“. The human species is wonderful. It is scary, but also admirable.

Boris Johnson used Antigone, “there are many terrible things, but there is nothing more terrible than man”, to emphasize that people are capable of evil, but also good, and asked humanity to mature.

He then called on all countries to participate in the 26th United Nations Conference on the Environment to be held in Glasgow in October 2021.

Boris Johnson, proved that philhellenism remains a corner stone of western civilization and a cultural package which contains solutions for all the challenges that humanity faces over time.

/by