The President of the Republic of Poland awarded the Golden Cross of Merit of the Polish Republic to the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), following a proposal by the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs. The medal was awarded by H.E. Ambassador of Poland in Greece, Mr. Artur Lompart, to the president of the SHP, Mr. Constantinos Velenzas.

The awarding ceremony took place at the Philhellenism Museum in Athens.

During his speech, the Polish ambassador referred to the work of the SHP and the Philhellenism Museum in order to promote the history of Poland, and in particular its important contribution at the beginning of the 19th century. During this period, the Poles played an important role in Europe and supported the struggle for the liberation of the Greeks. At the same time, many Polish Philhellenes volunteers, fought during the Greek Revolution of 1821, and most even offered their lives to Greece.

Ambassador Lompart also underlined the joint efforts to promote Polish-Greek cooperation, among others, in the academic field, and the common bonds of the two peoples, who are inspired by the same values ​​and the same civilisation.

Mr. Velentzas thanked the Polish President of the Republic for the special honor and presented a rare document from the collections of the Philhellenism Museum, which connects the Philhellenic movement in favor of the Greeks, with the pro-Polish movement that followed in Europe in 1831 during the Polish Revolution.

It is a letter from the French general Lafayette, in which he announces to the American Philhellene Dr. Samuel Howe that he is being honored by the Polish community in France for his contribution to the liberation struggle of the Poles. This document confirms that the Philhellenic solidarity movement in favor of Greece, evolved into a solidarity movement in favor of the Polish nation, thus laying the foundations for European integration.

The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Philhellenism Museum, hosted by the Embassy of Poland.

For information:

info@eefshp.org
T. 210.8094750

 

 

 

The Philhellenism Museum and the War Museum, in the context of the year “2024, Year of Lord Byron and Philhellenism”, inaugurated the group exhibition “… Where the arts of war and peace grew…”, with the participation of 50 distinguished Greek artists.

The exhibition is presented in the foyer of the Amphitheater of the War Museum.

A handwritten poem by Lord Byron from the archive of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP), became the conceptual and material body in which 50 works were deployed and narrate in modern terms the main milestones in the life and work of Lord Byron.

During the opening, the President of the War Museum, Lieutenant General Mr. Konstantinos Karamesinis, welcomed the guests and spoke about the collaboration with the Philhellenism Museum, thanking the contributors for the unique way in which the space was shaped into a new museum destination.

The founder and president of the SHP and the Philhellenism Museum in Athens, Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, referred to Lord Byron as the most famous man of his time, who was a role model for the most important artists and intellectuals. Every soul that felt suffocated in the societies of the early 19th century, wanted to be like him. For 2024, the Philhellenism Museum has presented two more major exhibitions dedicated to Lord Byron and the Byronic art on which Philhellenism was based. One is hosted at the Hellenic Parliament and the second at the Academy of Athens. All exhibitions are open to the public with free admission.

The activities of the SHP and the Philhellenism Museum in 2024 will be completed with two conferences in November 2024 (at the Museum of Cycladic Art and at the University of Cambridge), and with a big concert to take place in the Herodeion oden, on October 10, 2024, with selected artists, the orchestra and the choir of ERT.

As the exhibition is under the auspices of the British Embassy, ​​representing the British Ambassador in Athens, Ms. Katharina Arnold spoke about the intense activity of the SHP and the Philhellenism Museum regarding Lord Byron and Philhellenism.

The Philhellenism Museum houses and exhibits the largest private collection of Lord Byron’s personal effects and Byronic art, as well as 5,000 valuable historical relics and evidence related to Philhellenism.

The curator of the exhibition, Mrs. Iris Kritikou, spoke about the bold project to present a tribute of contemporary art to Lord Byron and the way in which fifty distinguished Greek artists proceeded to create an independent organic art area around and within visual, plastic, and symbolic references to the great romantic poet and Philhellene.

 

The exhibition is under the auspices of the British Embassy.

 

Participating artists:

Yannis Adamakis, Aggeliki Antonea, Lydia Venieri, Marilitsa Vlahaki, Marina Vlachaki, Andreas Georgiadis, Markos Georgilakis, Maria Giannakaki, Stratigoula Giannikopoulou, Fanis Goulis, Maria, Diakodimitriou, Frangiskos Doukakis, Argyro Driva, Stamatis Zannos, Nikos Zivas, Gogo Ieromonachou, Apostolis Itskoudis, Polina Kasimati, Andreas Kontellis, Themis Kontogouris, Filippos Koutrikas , Nikos Leontopoulos, Vassilis Liaouris, Minas Mavrikakis, Manos Batzolis, Ismini Bonatsou, Rouli Mpoua, Yiannis Brouzos, Andreas Nikolaou, Mary Ntagianta, Thodoros Papagiannis, Christos Papadakis, Dimitris Papanikolaou, Kostas Papatriandafyllopoulos, Nikos-Giorgos Papoutsidis, Nikos Perantinos, Stelios Petroulakis, Michalis Sakalis, Giorgos Saltaferos, Ifigenia Sdoukou, Stefanos Souvatzoglou, Vasilis Soulis, Kostas Spiriounis, Marina Stellatou, Praxitelis Tzanoulinos, Nikos Triantafyllou, Claire Tsalouchidi-Chatzimina, Dimos Flessas, Manolis Charos.

A bilingual catalogue will be published as part of the exhibition, and parallel actions are planned.

“… Where the arts of war and peace grew…”

Curator: Iris Kritikou, archaeologist and art historian.

Venue: War Museum, Amphitheater Foyer, Rizari 2, 10675 Athens
Duration: July 9, 2024 – September 9, 2024
Days and hours of operation: Daily, 9.00 – 19.00
Free entrance

Information:
Museum of Philhellenism | Email: info@phmus.org | T. +30 210 8094750
War Museum | E.: info@warmuseum.gr | T. +30 210 7252974

 

 

Media sponsor:

With the kind sponsorship of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the international group EUROPEAN DYNAMICS.

 

 

The Philhellenism Museum and the War Museum, within the context of the year “2024, Year of Lord Byron and Philhellenism”, are co-organizing an important group exhibition, with the participation of 50 Greek visual artists, entitled: “…Where grew the arts of war and peace…”.

This year’s bicentenary of the death of Lord Byron is a point of reference for 50 distinguished Greek artists, who honour the great romantic poet and Philhellene with their artworks.

The historic foyer of the War Museum’s Amphitheatre will host for the coming months, a multi-layered visual tribute to Lord Byron that encourages us to discover his worldwide glory in relation to his passionate love for Greece and Freedom.

Curated by: Iris Kritikou

Participating artists:

Yannis Adamakis, Aggeliki Antonea, Lydia Venieri, Marilitsa Vlahaki, Marina Vlachaki, Andreas Georgiadis, Markos Georgilakis, Maria Giannakaki, Stratigoula Giannikopoulou, Fanis Goulis, Maria, Diakodimitriou, Frangiskos Doukakis, Argyro Driva, Stamatis Zannos, Nikos Zivas, Gogo Ieromonachou, Apostolis Itskoudis, Polina Kasimati, Andreas Kontellis, Themis Kontogouris, Filippos Koutrikas , Nikos Leontopoulos, Vassilis Liaouris, Minas Mavrikakis, Manos Batzolis, Ismini Bonatsou, Rouli Mpoua, Yiannis Brouzos, Andreas Nikolaou, Mary Ntagianta, Thodoros Papagiannis, Christos Papadakis, Dimitris Papanikolaou, Kostas Papatriandafyllopoulos, Nikos-Giorgos Papoutsidis, Nikos Perantinos, Stelios Petroulakis, Michalis Sakalis, Giorgos Saltaferos, Ifigenia Sdoukou, Stefanos Souvatzoglou, Vasilis Soulis, Kostas Spiriounis, Marina Stellatou, Praxitelis Tzanoulinos, Nikos Triantafyllou, Claire Tsalouchidi-Chatzimina, Dimos Flessas, Manolis Charos.

As part of the exhibition, a bilingual catalogue will be published and parallel activities are planned: educational programmes, lectures, musical tributes, theatrical recitals, etc.

The exhibition is curated by: Archaeologist and Art Historian, Iris Kritikou.

The exhibition is under the auspices of the British Embassy.
With the kind sponsorship of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism and the international group EUROPEAN DYNAMICS.

Exhibition venue: War Museum, War Museum’s Amphitheatre Foyer, Rizari 2, 10675 Athens
Exhibition duration: July 9, 2024 – September 9, 2024
Opening hours: Daily, 9.00 – 19.00
Free admission

Information:
Philhellenism Museum
info@phmus.org, T. +30.210.8094750

War Museum
info@warmuseum.gr, T. 2107252974

 

 

 

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