In a truly touching atmosphere, full of pride and emotion, took place the awarding of the Lord Byron Philhellenism Medal 2025 on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, to two internationally renowned and acclaimed ladies of Literature, the British author Victoria Hislop and the American poet and Professor of Poetry at the Oxford University, Alicia Elsbeth Stallings.
The distinction of the Lord Byron Medal is an initiative of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism since 2021 and in collaboration with the Academy of Athens is awarded, annually, to distinguished persons from the fields of diplomacy, culture and academic education, whose careers have contributed to society with work and actions that are in harmony with the values of Hellenism. Moreover, the medal is also awarded to descendants of Philhellenes who offered their support during the period of the Greek War of Independence.
The presentation of the diploma and the Lord Byron Medal was made by the President and founder of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, the President of the Academy of Athens, Mr. Michalis Tiverios, and the Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, Mr. Christos Zerefos.
”The Academy of Athens and the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism wish, through the Lord Byron Medal and Lord Byron Award, to honour the concept of Philhellenism, as an ideal which expression thrived during the 19th century with the support of the Greek Revololution, but its existence and continuity has a timeless definition”, said the President of the Academy, Mr. Michalis Tiverios.
And he continued: “At present day’s laureates, have as their own “excavation site” the ancient Greek Literature and classical studies, and as their constant field of research, the interpretation of the Greek landscape and the people of this land. Both ladies have worked and are working for a number of years, for the promotion of Greek culture and its dissemination as a common point of reference for all of us. Both of them chose to share their lifetime among their countries of origin, their working places, and Greece. For them, as well as for Byron, Greece is their homeland by choice.
” The founder of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, presented to a multitude of people who honoured the ceremony at the Academy of Athens, the most important stages along the career and the admirable work of the two laureates, characterizing them as “two outstanding personalities of the Letters and the Arts, internationally acclaimed, that throughout their intellectual and social work, they bring to life what is defined nowadays as Contemporary Philhellenism”.
“Victoria and Alicia proudly walk the path blazed by the great Romantic poet, reinforcing, each one with her very own unique writing skills, the ideals of liberty and amity, against all kinds of injustice. Like Byron himself, Victoria Hislop and Alicia Stallings chose to live in this land and by reflecting its history to illuminate modern Greece through their words.”
“When in 2024 Victoria became a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, she was asked to choose the pen of a distinguished author of her country to sign her entry into the Society. Those pens belonged to Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Lord Byron. She chose Lord Byron’s, declaring of her choice: I like to imagine that Byron carried it with him on his travels in Greece!’
Inspired by Lord Byron’s well-known phrases Many hearts join together in one common cause and Never fail those who fight for a great cause, Constantinos Velentzas referred to the heartfelt participation of the two laureates in the most emblematic action that took place in October 2024 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Herodeion), in Athens, in order to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of the Romantic poet and the Year of Philhellenism, where the breathtaking recitations of Victoria Hislop and Alicia Stallings on stage – along with Lina Nikolakopoulou – brought about the unanimous and enthusiastic response of all spectators.
Victoria Hislop and Alicia Stallings thanked the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Academy of Athens for their awarding, and reiterated their love for Greece and Hellenic culture, affirming that the spirit of Lord Byron remains ever-present.
In particular, Victoria Hislop referred to Lord Byron and his love for Greece, as well as to his poetry, and as she said “As an author, he managed to write with passion, originality and sincerity, and finally to touch the heart of every reader, thus knowing from his manuscripts that he struggled to find the right words, although the result looks as if it came effortlessly from his pen and it is as if you hear his voice.”
“Lord Byron is a great inspiration to all writers. He, surely, is for me. There are many times that Byron wrote for some important purpose to influence and lead others to action. Rarely were his texts merely for fun. His word for supporting Greece in Europe, was important.”
“If I were to discuss with Lord Byron, my first words would be You succeeded. Your great struggle has been justified.”
Alicia Elsbeth Stallings expressed her honour to receive the Lord Byron Philhellenism Medal, especially when this bears the name of the greatest Philhellene of all time. She clarified that “Lord Byron is not known enough for his heroism in English-speaking countries, and he is not known enough for his poetry in Greece. If the Greeks know something about his poetic work, it is usually the first four stanzas of his famous poem, The Isles of Greece“.
And she continued, “Byron, the man of Letters, the greatest comic and satirical poet of his time, and the man of action and political mobilization, were not two different men, but one poet. But Byron knew that both words and deeds, both swords and odes, reach their height, and shine brightest, in the darkest of times.
Poets sharpen words. They help them keep their wits sharp, at a time when tyrants and oligarchs are blunting them with the back-and-forth blows with which they try to tame societies. When the battle seems lost, then more than ever, we need poetry.”
Wishing to strengthen the extroversion of the Academy of Athens, its President, Mr. Michalis Tiverios, stated that for the first time within the context of the collaboration with the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, and the awarding ceremony of the Lord Byron Philhellenism Medal, a concert with a multi-member orchestra takes place at the premises of the Academy of Athens.
The Hellenic Air Force Band with its maestro, Mr. Alexandros Litsardopoulos, and with two special and talented performers, the baritone Angelos Mousikas and the soprano Sophia Zova, left the attendees literally dazzled.
Photos of laureates Victoria Hislop and Alicia Elsbeth Stallings are hereby attached, along with various views of the event.
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