Mrs. Martina Hermann, visited the Philhellenism Museum, she was guided in the Museum and experienced through its collections, the birth and evolution of the philhellenic movement from the Renaissance until today.

During the visit, SHP (Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism) presented to the Embassy the biographical notes of Philhellenes of Austrian origin, who participated in the Greek Revolution and fought on the side of the Greeks.

Mrs. Martina Hermann delivered to the Museum, on behalf of the Government of Austria, a flag as a symbol of friendship between the Austrian and Greek peoples, and stated the following:

“The Greek Revolution of 1821, which later led to the founding of the modern Greek state, draws its inspiration, among other things, from the universal values of Freedom and Democracy, which have their roots in ancient Greece. Especially with regard to parliamentary democracies worldwide, these values, originating from ancient Greece, are the cornerstones of nations’ self-awareness.

We still share these basic values and principles with Greece. In addition, the relations between our two countries are very friendly and are characterized by close cooperation in the EU.

I wish every success to the Museum of Philhellenism “.

 

 

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism held a closed ceremony to mark the opening of the Special Exhibition on the “American Philhellenism” of the Philhellenism Museum on April 14, 2021.  The opening was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Diaspora Constantinos Vlassis, Deputy Minister of Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Ambassador of the United States to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, Deputy Chief of Defense Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis, Governor of Attika George Patoulis, Deputy Governor for Culture Maria Vidali and Deputy Mayor of Athens Skiadas.

The Museum of Philhellenism hosts an extensive and unique collection of paintings, personal items, firearms, books, and documents related to the Greek Revolution of 1821, with a special focus on Philhellenes from Europe and the United States.  This is the first time that many of those artefacts will be in public display.

The Museum host a special exhibition on “American Philhellenism” with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens, as part of its campaign “USA-Greece: Celebrating 200 Years of Friendship” commemorating Greece’s Bicentennial.  The “American Philhellenism” exhibition features impressive objects from American Philhellene, including Dr. Samuel Howe’s personal collection, lithographs of other prominent Philhellenes like the poet Fitz Halleck, books published by Everett and Ticknor, news articles from the 18th century, as well as various letters and other documents showcasing the role of the American Philhellenes in the Greek revolution.

Although the Museum is currently not open to the public due to the pandemic restrictions, it offers an online virtual tour for visitors from Greece and throughout the world:

www.phmus.org

https://phmus.org/the-museum/episkepsi-online/

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister Vlasis congratulated the Philhellenism Museum and the U.S. Embassy on their initiative to promote American Philhellenism, and highlighted the strong bonds between the United States and Greece.

The U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt said, “Our Embassy is very proud to support the museum’s exhibition on ‘American Philhellenism’ as part of our year-long campaign to commemorate the Greek bicentennial and the two hundred years of friendship between our great democracies. American society has been enriched from its earliest days by our relationship with Greece and the Greek people.  And I’m extremely confident that even two hundred years from now, the United States will continue to stand by Greece as our trusted ally and partner.”

The Governor of Attica Mr. Patoulis, the Deputy Governor of Attica Mrs. Vidalis, and the Deputy Mayor Mr. Skiadas, stressed the importance of the Museum, and the important role of American philhellenism in building the strong bonds between the Greek and American people.

For more information about the Museum of Philhellenism contact: www.phmus.org,

www.eefshp.org
email: info@phmus.org
email: info@phmus.org
Τel: 210.8094750

 

 

 

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Ernst Reichel, and his wife, Ms. Anne Decrue Reichel, visited the Museum of Philhellenism on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

During their tour of the Museum, they had the opportunity to learn about the exhibits, the history of the philhellenic movement, and the role of thousands of German Philhellenes, who fought valiantly on the side of the Greeks as volunteers or supported the philhellenic committees in Germany.

SHP presented to the German Ambassador two anniversary medals it issued on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Revolution, which honor two important German Philhellenes. Ludwig I, King of Bavaria, great benefactor of Greece who financed the struggle of the Greeks and General Norman, who led the Greek army in the battle of Peta and sacrificed himself for Greece.

The German Ambassador Mr. Ernst Reichel, handed over to the Philhellenism Museum, on behalf of Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, President of the German Parliament (Bundestag), a German flag sent by the German Parliament on the occasion of the 200th Anniversary, and said during the flag handover ceremony the following:

“I am pleased to hand this flag of the Federal Republic of Germany over to you on behalf of Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, President of the German Bundestag. This flag was used in the German Bundestag, which is why it shows some minor traces of usage. Allow me to thank you for your dedication in making the roles Philhellenes played in the Greek Revolution of 1821 and its aftermath known to the general public. The largest part of these Philhellenes were Germans, who gave their hearts, fortunes, and sometimes even their lives in support of the Greek cause. They were inspired by the ideals of the Greek war of independence, which set into motion a process of historical and state-building importance for large parts of Europe. These processes, eventually, helped shape the parliamentary democracies our countries are today. It is therefore of great symbolic value that this flag, originating from the German Parliament, the heart of German democracy, will from now on be displayed in the Philhellenism Museum. May it serve as a symbol of the strong bonds between Germany and Greece in a united Europe. I wish you personally and the Philhellenism Museum, once it is allowed to open to the public, all the very best and much success.”

SHP thanked the German Ambassador Mr. Ernst Reichel and the President of the Bundestag, and assured that it will continue to promote with its work the common cultural values of the German and Greek people and the continuous philhellenism as a virtue for the progress of our societies and European integration.

The Philhellenism Museum exhibits, among others, important works of art by German painters and artists on the subject of the Greek Revolution, as well as objects and documents, on the history of German Philhellenes who fought on the side of the Greeks or supported the German Philhellenic Committees.