On April 19, 2024, we commemorate the anniversary of the death of Lord Byron in Messolonghi in 1824, and pay tribute to Philhellenism. Greece honours the great romantic poet and the thousands of Philhellenes who offered valuable services, even their lives, for the liberation of Greece.

April 17, 2024:

Event in Messolonghi in collaboration with the Cultural Association “FRIENDS OF LIMNOTHALASSA – LAGOON FRIENDS CLUB” with the theme “The legacy and the imprint of the leading Philhellene in History and Art”.

April 19, 2024:

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum

participated in the Memorial Mass held at the Cathedral of Athens on April 19, 2024. Afterwards, a representative of SHP laid a wreath at the monument of the Unknown Soldier.

April 19, 2024:

SHP participated in the historic ceremony organized by Trinity College of the University of Cambridge, in the Library next to the iconic statue of Lord Byron. A representative of the SHP addressed a greeting, laid a wreath and presented gifts to the university.

April 20, 2024:

The SHP participated in a ceremony organized by Nottingham City Council at Lord Byron’s historic home, Newstead Abbey, which is now a museum. A representative of SHP addressed a greeting and exchanged gifts, and then he visited Lord Byron’s grave at the church of St Mary Magdelene in the town of Hucknell.

April 20 and 21, 2024:

The Philhellenism Museum opens to the public, with the participation of students who present its exhibits to adults.

April 22, 2024:

The Hellenic Parliament, in collaboration with the SHP and the Philhellenism Museum, launched a periodic exhibition on the theme: “Looking at freedom through the eyes of Byron”.

April 25, 2024:

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum organize, in collaboration with the Numismatic Museum, in its garden, an event about Lord Byron, with the participation of a choir and a bagpiper concert.

 

For information:
info@phmus.org, info@eefshp.org, +30.210.8094750

 

 

 

The event is organized by the Cultural Association “FRIENDS OF LIMNOTHALASSA” in collaboration with the SHP and the Philhellenism Museum, on “His legacy and the imprint of the leading Philhellenic in History and Art”, at the Municipal Gallery of Messolonghi, at 19.00.

Vicky Flessa, journalist and classical philologist, talks with Ioannis Chountis de Fabri, adviser to the House of Lords, historian and author of the book “Romanticism in power: Aspects of Lord Byron’s political ideology and his action in the Greek Revolution” published by Armos, on the importance of the Philhellene as a symbol of Greek-British friendship, his practical, material and symbolic contribution to the success of the Greek Revolution, as well as the politician Byron, his ideology and the contradictions of his action in Greece.

Objects depicting or relating to Lord Byron will be on display at the event.

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum, announce in the context of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the death of Lord Byron, a student competition for the academic year 2023-2024, with the theme “2024: 200 years since the death of Lord Byron – the continuous philhellenism”, and aimed at highlighting the role of the philhellenic movement for the positive outcome of the Greek War of Independence and the promotion of continuous philhellenism, as a corner stone for the evolution of the civilized humanity.

SHP and the Philhellenism Museum are at the disposal of interested educational institutions, to support their participation in the competition.

Those interested can find material about Lord Byron at the following link. https://www.facebook.com/eefshp/videos/940371249925564

SHP also offers screenings of the dramatized documentary “The Philhellenes”. The trailer of the film follows. https://www.facebook.com/eefshp/videos/220597140599699

For information: info@eefshp.org

 

ΜΑΘΗΤΙΚΟΣ ΔΙΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΣ_2024_ΕΤΟΣ ΛΟΡΔΟΥ ΒΥΡΩΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ

 

The collectible charm of 2024, dedicated to Lord Byron.

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum are launching a year dedicated to the great British poet and Philhellene, Lord Byron, who sacrificed himself for his ideas and the freedom of Greece, in April 1824, 200 years ago.

The proceeds from the sales of the Philhellenism Museum finance events highlighting in Greece and internationally, the works of Lord Byron and Philhellenism.

The charm is 3cm high, made of silver, features the outline of the figure of Lord Byron (from the iconic work of Thomas Philips) and bears his signature.

Price: 19.8 Euro

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

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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)

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!

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.