The international Lord Byron Prize 2024 has been awarded to the Earl of Lytton
The ceremony for the award of the international Lord Byron Prize 2024 took place in the central hall of the Academy of Athens, on July 2, 2024.
The laureate, Earl of Lytton, is the only direct descendant of Lord Byron, through his daughter Ada Byron Lovelace, and a member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom.
The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, in collaboration with the Academy of Athens, awards annually the international Lord Byron Prize to distinguished personalities whose careers are based on the values of Philhellenism.
The Prize was presented by the President of the Academy of Athens, Mr. Stamatios Krimizis and its Secretary General, Mr. Christos Zerefos, and by Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the Philhellenism Museum in Athens.
Mr. Krimizis focused on the prominent personality of Lord Byron and his contribution to the development of the Philhellenic movement, while he also referred to the honorary events prepared by the Academy of Athens, both in memory of Lord Byron this year, and for the Holy City of Messolonghi for the 200 years since the heroic exodus, in 2026. In addition, he referred to the honorable Lord Lytton and congratulated him on his important work.
Mr. Velentzas referred to the decisive role that Lord Byron played for the liberation of Greece, and the movement of Philhellenism that changed international relations, introducing the institution of international solidarity and military interventions in favour of nations fighting for their freedom and the values of western culture.
Lord Lytton thanked the Academy of Athens and the SHP for his award, and spoke about his ancestor Lord Byron and his work in the House of Lords.
The 13th Lord Byron also participated in the event.
After the award ceremony, Lord Lytton and Lord Byron inaugurated the exhibition Lord Byron and the Philhellenic Aura.
The exhibition takes place in the eastern hall of the Academy of Athens and includes personal items of Lord Byron and his fellow volunteers in Greece, historical documents and publications, as well as rare works of art with Byronic heroes from the collections of the Philhellenism Museum.
The exhibition will last until October 31, 2024 and can be visited daily 10.00-14.00 with free entry.
Information
Academy of Athens, T. 2103664700, www.academyofathens.gr
Philhellenism Museum, T. 2108094750
www.phmus.org
