In an atmosphere of deep emotion and national pride, the official unveiling ceremony of the emblematic Monument to the Philhellenes, Frank Abney Hastings, and the legendary steam-powered warship “Karteria” was held on Sunday, September 27th, 2026, at the Port of Itea.

The event took place within the framework of the celebrations commemorating the anniversary of the Naval Battle of Agali (17 September 1827), during which Frank Abney Hastings (1794-1828), the visionary commander of the “Karteria,” dealt a decisive blow to the Ottoman fleet, paving the way for the liberation of Western Central Greece.

The events commenced with a Doxology at the Holy Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Phocis, Lord Theoktistos. The keynote address of this exceptional day was delivered by Brigadier General (Hon.) Constantinos Velentzas, President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Philhellenism Museum, through whose initiative, design, and funding the monument in honour of Hastings was erected.

Subsequently, a memorial service and the laying of wreaths took place at the Agali Fallen Soldiers Monument, followed by a student and military parade, culminating in the magnificent unveiling ceremony of the Monument to the Philhellenes, Hastings, and the “Karteria” at the center of the Port of Itea.

The government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Ioannis Bougas, while the presentation of the emblematic monument took place in the presence of the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis, the representative of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS), Captain Nikolaos Sartzis HN, the Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Greece, Robyn Goldsmith, the Governor of Central Greece, Fanis Spanos, the Vice-Governor of the Regional Unit of Phocis, Peggy Aravantinou-Tze, the Mayor of Delphi, Panagiotis Tagalis, the President of the Port Fund of Phocis, Sofia Anagnostakou, and Efstathios Malakis.

In his speech, the President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum, Constantinos Velentzas, highlighted the reasons and symbolism behind the erection of the monument: first, to pay tribute to the visionary, pioneer of naval technology, and founder of the Hellenic Navy, the British Philhellene and national benefactor Frank Abney Hastings, who dedicated his knowledge, fortune, and life to Greek Independence, falling prematurely in 1828 at Aitoliko at the age of just 34. Second, to highlight the universal nature of Philhellenism, as the monument is not limited to a single individual but honours the memory of all the Greek and Philhellene fighters who manned the “Karteria” and the other ships of the fleet (Sotir, Vavaria, Philellinis), vessels funded by Philhellenic committees across Europe and the USA. Thus, the names of figures such as the Briton Georges Thomas, the French Baron Dentzel, the Dane Fabricius, the Americans Howe and Williams, the German Treiber, the Swiss Gosse, and the Greeks Alikouris and Oikonomou have been inscribed on the monument’s shaft.

This impressive work, rich in symbolism, stands 3.00 meters tall and is crafted entirely from premium-quality Dionysos marble. The bust of Commander Hastings surmounts the structure, while its four sides bear the inscribed names of the Greek and Philhellene fighters, as well as the crew members of the “Karteria”, who were the heroes behind the victory at the Naval Battle of Agali.

The monument, which reflects the international solidarity of that era, was created by sculptor Vangelis Ilias and funded by the SHP (Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism) and the Philhellenism Museum.

In this context, Mr. Velentzas expressed the wish that the Hellenic Navy would soon bestow the name “Hastings” upon one of the fleet’s new vessels, serving as an enduring reminder of the strong bonds of friendship between Greece and the United Kingdom, as well as the two nations’ shared mission regarding European security and the protection of the common values of our civilisation.

This new historical landmark at the Port of Itea is expected to contribute decisively to the cultural and tourism development of the region, enhancing extroversion and international twinning initiatives, while keeping alive the timeless message of freedom and solidarity among people.

Information: info@phmus.org

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum, in collaboration with the Embassy of Romania in the Hellenic Republic, organized on June 11th, 2026 a cultural event dedicated to the prominent personality of Dora d’ Istria (Elena Ghica), one of the most distinguished Romanian and European personalities who left their mark on the intellectual life of the 19th century.

Dora d’Istria, the literary pseudonym of Elena Ghica (1828-1888), was a great author, a pioneer of women’s emancipation, and a constant supporter of cultural dialogue between nations in promoting the right to freedom and equality.

The event took place at the Philhellenism Museum in Athens and brought together Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Greece, representatives of the Greek cultural, religious and academic community and of the local authorities, members of the Romanian community, and numerous guests interested in the shared cultural heritage of Romania and Greece.

The programme opened with introductory speech about the distinguished Philhellene Elena Ghica by Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, Founder and President of the Philhellenism Museum and of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism. A special moment of the evening was the presentation by Mr. Velentzas, for the first time in Greece, of a unique landscape, the only known painting created by Dora d’ Istria, acquired by the Philhellenism Museum last year, highlighting a lesser-known dimension of her artistic personality.

In her address, H.E. Mrs. Carmen-Ileana Mihălcescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Hellenic Republic, emphasized Dora d’ Istria’s exceptional contribution to European culture, her advocacy for education and women’s rights, and her role in fostering intercultural dialogue throughout Europe and the region. The Ambassador underlined the enduring relevance of the legacy of Dora d’ Istria, founded on the values of freedom, knowledge, human dignity, and mutual understanding among nations.

This was followed by the presentation by professor of the University of Athens, Mr. Yiannis Deligiannis, which focused on the close connection of Dora d’ Istria with Greece, her philhellenic activity and the influence of Greek culture on European culture.

The event further featured the inauguration of an exhibition of paintings by Romanian artist Ana Iulia Miheșan, inspired by themes of identity, heritage, and cultural connection. The exhibition created a meaningful dialogue between contemporary artistic expression and the humanist values promoted by Dora d’Istria throughout her life. The exhibition by Iulia Miheșan can be visited at the Philhellenism Museum until 22 June 2026.

Information: info@phmus.org

The Mayor of the Sacred City of Messolonghi Spyridon V. Diamantopoulos and the President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism Constantinos Velentzas cordially invite you to the opening of the exhibition “Messolonghi City of Liberty and Ecumene” at the Trikoupio Cultural Center of the Sacred City of Messolonghi on Sunday, May 24th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The periodical exhibition, organised in collaboration with the Municipality of the Sacred City of Messolonghi and the Philhellenism Museum, presents the international impact of the Exodus of Messolonghi in 1826 and the enormous wave of support for the struggling Greeks, as it broke out in Europe and America.

Unique works of Philhellenic art and rare documents of the Struggle of Greeks and Philhellenes are exhibited for the first time in the Sacred City of Messolonghi in the context of the historical 200th anniversary of the Exodus, 1826-2026.

The exhibition is conducted with the kind support of the Hellenic Parliament and the kind sponsorship of the AEGEAS AMKE, the Lilian Voudouri Foundation, the George and Victoria Karelia Foundation, the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Welfare Foundation, the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism.

Information: info@phmus.org

The Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, visited the Philhellenism Museum and had a guided tour of its collections.

The Minister was informed about the classical education received by most Philhellenes who supported the Greek War of Independence in their countries, or arrived in Greece as volunteers to fight for its freedom, and the pivotal role it had in promoting the Philhellenic movement. The visit took place in the context of the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Exodus of Messolonghi, which was the pinnacle moment of the Greek War of Independence.

Ms. Zacharaki expressed her admiration for the large-scale oil painting of the “School of Athens”, the most famous work of the Italian painter and architect of the early Renaissance, Raphael, a rare reproduction of which is exhibited at the Philhellenism Museum. The figures of Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Euclid, Thucydides, as well as Apollo and Athena, embody the classical spirit of antiquity and underline the timeless value of classical education.

Contact: info@phmus.org

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum participated in the celebrations for the 198^th anniversary of the naval battle of Itea (Angali), which took place on 27 and 28/9/2025.

This historic naval battle played a decisive role in the success of the Greek Revolution and paved the way for the liberation of Western Central Greece. The great Philhellene Frank Abney Hastings, commander of Karteria, founder of the Hellenic Navy and national benefactor of Greece, played a leading role in it.

The anniversary is dedicated to all the Philhellenes who, through continuous fundraising, financed the equipment of the Greek army and navy during the Revolution. It is also dedicated to all the Greeks and Philhellenes volunteers, who manned the Karteria, the first steam-powered warship in the history of Europe, and fought with it for the freedom of Greece.

After 200 years, the SHP implemented the decision of the Fourth National Assembly and handed over the Philhellenes monument, that has been placed on Vasilissis Sophias avenue in front of the War Museum, listing 2000 names of Philhellenes.

At the same time, the SHP recently agreed with the Prefecture of Central Greece and the Municipality of Delphi – Itea, to finance and deliver to Itea, in September 2026, a monument with a bust of Hastings, on the trunk of which will be engraved all the names of the Greeks and Philhellenes of the crews of the Karteria and the fleet that participated in the naval battle of Angali. Among them are the British Georges Thomas, the French Baron Denzel, the Danish officer Fabriciοus, the African-American James Williams and many others.

For information: info@eefshp.org