The story of Rosa Botsari, Philhellenism and the cultural dialogue between Greece – Germany

 

 

The one and only Greek woman in the “Gallery of Beauties” in Munich, from now on has her permanent place in Athens.

The famous portrait of Katerina (“Rosa”) Botsari, a work by the leading German painter Joseph Karl Stieler, has been on display in Athens, at the Philhellenism Museum.

The unveiling of the portrait of the 19th-century Greek beauty Katerina (Rosa) Botsari, daughter of the glorious fighter Markos Botsaris, took place in March 2025 at the Philhellenism Museum, in the presence of descendants of the Souliot Botsaris family and H.E. German Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Andreas Kindl.

 

The eventful life of the daughter of the Greek fighter Markos Botsaris

Markos Botsaris’ daughter, Rosa, sealed the history of the 19th century with the unparalleled beauty of her appearance as a mostly admired woman throughout Europe, as well as the first Greek Court Lady in the service of Queen Amalia.

Rosa, a nickname she received from the characteristic rosy color of her cheeks and lips, became the protégé of Queen Amalia, and a rare variety of Danask rose species was named after her in constant remembrance of the beauty and freshness of her youth.

 

Stieler’s two unique artworks in Munich and Athens

The figure of Rosa painted in 1841 by the leading German painter Joseph Karl Stieler (1781-1858), re-established the dialogue for the promotion of European cultural heritage.

The portrait of Rosa was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in order to be included in the “Gallery of Beauties” at Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, which nowadays functions as a museum. The Nymphenburg Archives evidence that the artist created two identical copies, a common practice for important portraits of the time.

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SPH) and the Philhellenism Museum in Athens acquired the work in December 2024 with the aim of incorporating Rosa’s physique in the collection of a Greek museum, and highlighting her life and family history that implies a deep connection with this of Philhellenism.

This second existing portrait, of even higher value than the first, came back to public view after 42 years, as it had remained in a private collection since it was auctioned by Sotheby’s in 1983 in London. The Philhellenism Museum acquired the work by purchase, setting a world record for the highest price ever paid for a work by the famous German portraitist Stieler.

 

The ongoing cultural dialogue between Greece and Germany

During the inauguration of the portrait in Greece, the founder and president of the Philhellenism Museum, Constantinos Velentzas, underlined the strong bonds between the two countries: “Ludwig I of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach was a Philhellene, a fanatical Hellenist, a collector and a friend of the arts. During his reign, Munich rose to prominence artistically with the construction of many neoclassical and neo-humanist buildings, modeled on the architecture of ancient Greece. One of these is the Propylaea of ​​Munich, the only monument internationally dedicated to the Revolution of 1821. Markos Botsaris, who was identified in international public opinion with Leonidas of Sparta, is the central figure who inspired Philhellenic art and Philhellenism internationally.”

The German Ambassador to Greece, Andreas Kindl, expressed his great pleasure and happiness that this major work of art will now be in Athens as well, stating in fluent Greek that “more than 400,000 people visit the “Gallery of Beauties” in Munich every year. The portraits of the Gallery were created by Louis with the aim of representing the ideal of beauty of the time and Rosa Botsari was the only Greek woman among them”. Moreover, he jokingly noted “Today we would say that Rosa was the Miss Greece of the 19th century!”, pleasantly surprising those who attended the ceremony.

The unveiling of the painting was carried out by the young Rosa Botsari, daughter of Kitsos Botsaris, grand-nephew and descendant of Markos Botsaris. Rosa spoke publicly for the very first time about her ancestor, revealing the charm that Rosa even exerted on Washington’s nephew, who was longing her to become his wife – although he did not succeed to make so.

Given the historical, cultural and artistic interest of the existence of the painting in both countries, the formation of programmes and synergies between the Nymphenburg Museum in Munich and the Philhellenism Museum in Athens will be announced soon.

 

For information: info@phmus.org

 

 

Guided tours in Athens in the footsteps of the Philhellenes

 

The guided tours organized in May 2025 by the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum, as part of the Athens City Festival, were completed with great success.

This year’s action “In the footsteps of the Philhellenes”, which included a guided tour of the Philhellenism Museum’s exhibition at the Hellenic Parliament and a guided tour of Plaka area in Athens in the footsteps of the Philhellenes, on May 18th and 25th, attracted the interest of hundreds of our fellow citizens.

Given the large number of applications, a few more guided tours will follow in June 2025, in order to respond – as much as possible – to everyone’s request.

 

New Guided Tours

Saturday, 14 June 2025, 12:00-13:30 p.m.: guided tour of the Hellenic Parliament to the exhibitions on Philhellenism

Sunday, 15 June 2025, 12:00-14:00 p.m. and 15:00-17:00 p.m.: screening of the 30-minute film “Philhellenes”, guided tour of the renewed and enriched exhibition of the Philhellenism Museum and the new Roof Garden of the Museum.

 

Free admission – Registration required.

Registration: please make a reservation online at info@phmus.org by sending the name, title, mobile phone number and email of each participant by Thursday 12 June at 12:00 noon.

All participants will be sent a confirmation email and detailed instructions for the activity.

Notice: To enter the Parliament, it is necessary to show a police ID and the dress code is: business.

Maximum number of participants per tour: 50

 

Information:

T. +30 2108094750 & info@phmus.org

 

Tuesday, 18 and Wednesday, 19 March 2025 – Rosa Botsaris presents Rosa Botsaris

 

 

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum are organizing in the context of the National Anniversary of March 25th, a special and meaningful ceremony.  The emblematic portrait of Ekaterini (Rosa) Botsari, created by the leading German Philhellene artist Joseph Karl Stieler, is presented for the very first time in Greece.

The portrait was acquired in December, 2024, by the Philhellenism Museum and from now on will be in its collection in Athens.

Rosa Botsaris, daughter of the great fighter of the Greek War of Independence, Markos Botsaris, stamped the history of modern Greece as one of the beauties of her time. The glorious journey of Markos Botsaris, as well as the tragic story of his daughter Rosa, placed them among the most influential figures of Philhellenism, worldwide.

As the interest in attending the event is enormous, the ceremony will take place over two consecutive days.

Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19, March 2025, at 19.30. Philhellenism Museum, Zisimopoulou 12, 11524 Athens.

A cocktail will follow at the new Roof Garden of the Museum.

Free admission, by required reservation.

For reservations and information: info@eefshp.org

Victoria Hislop and Alicia Elsbeth Stallings Awarded the Lord Byron Philhellenism Medal 2025 at the Academy of Athens

 

 

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.

For further information you may contact: info@eefshp.org and T. +30 2108094750

 

Victoria Hislop, Alicia Elsbeth Stallings: Award of the LORD BYRON Medal 2025 Tuesday 4 February 2025, 19.00 Academy of Athens, Panepistimiou 28, Athens

 

 

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) has instituted since 2021 and awards, in collaboration with the Academy of Athens, the Lord Byron Philhellenism Medal in the name of the great poet and Philhellene, Lord Byron.

The first Lord Byron Medal for 2025 is awarded to the British author and member of the Royal Society of Literature, Victoria Hislop, and to the American Professor of Poetry at the Oxford University, Alicia Elsbeth Stallings, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

As part of the award ceremony, a classical music concert will be conducted by the Hellenic Air Force Band in favourite compositions by Verdi, Bizet, Puccini, Léhar and Strauss under the musical direction of Alexandros Litsardopoulos and performances by baritone Angelos Musicas and soprano Sophia Zova. It is the first time that a multi-member orchestra will present a concert at the Athens Academy.

A reception will follow.

An initiative of the SHP, in collaboration and co-organisation with the Academy of Athens and the Philhellenism Museum.

Free admission with reservation required

Limited number of seats

Information and reservation at: info@eefshp.org

 

 

Award_Ceremony_2025_EN01

The SHP awarded in collaboration with the Academy of Athens, the Lord Byron Medal to 3 distinguished British Philhellenes

 

 

The SHP, in collaboration with the Academy of Athens, awarded the Lord Byron Medal to 3 distinguished British Philhellenes, in a ceremony that took place on 16 November 2024, at Trinity College, Cambridge University.

The medal was awarded to:

  • Sir Roderick Beaton FBA (Emeritus Koraes Professor of Modern Greek and Byzantine History, Language and Literature, King’s College London)
  • Dr John Kittmer (Former Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Hellenic Republic)
  • Kate Lucy Smith CMG (Former Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Hellenic Republic)

The medals were presented by the President of the SHP, Mr. K. Velentzas, and the Academician and Professor at Cambridge, Mr. A. Fokas.

The event was welcomed by Professor Louise Merrett, Vice Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Professor Napoleon Katsos, of the Centre for Greek Studies, Cambridge.

For information: info@eefshp.org

 

 

Byron & Greece Programme

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2025.

 

Rosa Botsari, daughter of the great fighter of the Greek Revolution, Markos Botsaris, both symbols of the struggle for freedom and independence, central figures of Philhellenic art internationally. This important portrait of the great Philhellene artist Joseph Karl STIELER will be housed as of 2025 in the Philhellenism Museum in Athens.

EXODUS 1826-2026 / Missolonghi 200 Years

 

 

The SHP (eefshp.org) and the Philhellenism Museum (phmus.org) participate in the 25-member Honorary Committee for the organisation of events and activities dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the Exodus.

The Exodus of Missolonghi is the leading moment of the Greek War of Independence, which inspired all civilized humanity, gave maximum impetus to the philhellenic movement and triggered diplomatic processes that led to the Treaty of London, the naval battle in Navarino and the establishment of the independent Greek state.

The SHP and the Philhellenism Museum will organise a major exhibition at the Academy of Athens, an emblematic concert and a series of events and publications in Greece and internationally, to highlight the effect that the heroic Exodus had on the development of Philhellenism and international solidarity in favor of nations struggling for their freedom and the values ​​of Western civilization.

Information: info@eefshp.org

The Lord Byron Medal to the descendants of the German Philhellene general Count Norman von Ehrenfels

 

 

 

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, an event and concert took place in Stuttgart, organized by the Greek Community in Germany e.V. (Omogeneia). The event aimed to highlight the deep cultural relations between Greece and Germany.

Speakers at the event included the President of Omogeneia Konstantinos Kahrimanidis, the Vice-President of the SHP (Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism), Professor Costas Papailiou, the Consul General of Greece in Stuttgart, Mrs. Maria Kehri, and the German historian Frank Ackermann. Messrs. Ackermann and Papailiou presented German philhellenism, focusing on the German Philhellenes of Stuttgart and the historical contribution of Norman von Ehrenfels, general of the Greek regular army and Philhellenic forces during the Greek struggle for independence (1822).

The event was attended by descendants of Norman von Ehrenfels, and Daniel Elster, another prominent Philhellene, who fought in the Battle of Peta and on other fronts. In this context, Professor Papailiou, as Vice-President of SHP, awarded the Lord Byron medal to Mrs. Angela Lehman, a descendant of Count Norman von Ehrenfels.

The musical part of the evening began with the German Philhellenic Choir under the direction of Matthias Bretschneider, who performed German songs from the time of the Greek Revolution.

For information: info@eefshp.org

 

 

Great success of the premiere of the play “Byron. The farewell. Messolonghi 1824”

 

The premiere of the play entitled “Byron. The farewell. Messolonghi 1824” took place in the Amphitheatre of the War Museum. The play, which moved and impressed the audience, deals with the last days of Lord Byron in Messolonghi.

The two theatrical performances were offered to the public of Athens with free admission, by the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum, in collaboration with the War Museum and under the auspices and support of the British Embassy in Athens. Other presentations of the play are planned to follow in Greece and abroad.

The event was addressed by the president of the War Museum, Mr. Konstantinos Karamesinis, the president and founder of SHP and the Philhellenism Museum, Mr. Constantinos Velentzas and the counsellor of the British Embassy, ​​Ms. Katharina Arnold.

Mr. Velentzas prefaced the performance by outlining the historical context of the era to the audience, highlighting unknown details about the volunteer military and medical scientists who were by the side of the British Philhellene in the last days of his life.

The plot of the play was focused on a final account of the life and work of the Romantic poet, filled with the ideals of struggle and freedom, and the search for the higher meanings of human existence.

Emilianos Stamatakis, one of the most distinguished and talented actors of his generation, captivated the audience with his performance as Lord Byron. The role of Byron’s loyal valet, Fletcher, was performed by Pericles Lianos, who is particularly loved and known through his television roles.
The roles of doctors Brouno, Treiber and Millingen were  played by actors Elias Sardellis, Kostas Gerantonis and Dimitris Pneumatikos respectively.

The scenario is written by Iordanis Kalesis (who also performed as Count Pietro Gamba) and the play is directed by Vassilis Kontaxis. In addition, original music by Angeliki Della was especially composed for the play, while the lyricism and unparalleled interpretive skill of soprano Angeliki Vardaka captivated the audience.

The play incorporates elements of cinematography, directed by the award-winning artist Thanos Angelis, while Pantelis Konsolakis was charged with the photography direction.

The Romantic poet who was the greatest Philhellene of all times, inspired and inspires the movement of Philhellenism internationally. His sudden death at the age of 36 was a global event, which moves the new generations to this day. Byron’s unconventional temperament, is a starting point to discover at the same time his literary intelligence, which even today influences fiction and artistic creation.

The intention of the SHP – Philhellenism Museum and the contributors, is the tour of the play in other cities in Greece and abroad.

 

Byron. The Farewell, Messolonghi 1824

Under the auspices and support of the British Embassy

Author: Iordanis Kalesis | Direction – stage plan: Vassilis Kontaxis | Original Music – piano: Angeliki Della | Film direction and costume design: Thanos Angelis | Director of photography: Pantelis Konsolakis | Research advisor: Dr. Zambia Agrimaki | Lighting: Thodoris Gogos

Cast:

Kostas Gerantonis | Iordanis Kalesis | Dimitris Pneumatikos | Ilias Sardellis | Special guest: Pericles Lianos | Soprano Angeliki Vardaka

Emilianos Stamatakis as Lord Byron