New Museum of Philhellenism opens its doors in Athens

·

A new museum has opened its doors in Athens to honour the foreigners and Philhellenes who supported the Greek War of Independence and helped end 400 years of Ottoman rule.

Founder of the Philhellenism Museum, Constantinos Velentzas, says the museum will tell the story of the birth and evolution of the Philhellenism movement and the critical role it played in the struggle for Greece’s liberation.

The Philhellenism movement, derived from the Greek words philos (friend) and Hellas (Greece), refers to an intellectual movement which was particularly strong in the 19th century among the Greek diaspora and the intelligentsia in Europe and America, who wanted to support Greece as it took up arms against the Ottomans.

A new Philhellenism Museum has opened its doors in Athens. Photo: Lefteris Partsalis / Xinhua.

“We know about 1,500 Philhellenes from all over the world who came to Greece to join the Greek forces and combat side by side with the Greeks for the liberation of Greece,” Mr Velentzas said.

“They were students, intellectuals or experienced military officers, veterans of the Napoleonic wars, from the Scandinavian countries to Spain and from Britain and France to the United States of America, all of whom united by their love for Greece and ancient Greece.”

Mr Velentzas says visitors at the Philhellenism Museum will be able to learn the story of Philhellenism from the Renaissance up to the beginning of the 20th century through thousands of art objects, books, letters and personal objects of famous Philhellenes.

During 2021, the focus of the museum is the actions of Philhellenes to support the Greek War of Independence in celebration of the bicentenary of the beginning of the war.

The exhibits include paintings of the Greek War of Independence by European painters of the early nineteenth century, as well as bronze, porcelain, fabric, wood and paper artifacts, weapons from the War, more than 250 first-edition Philhellenic books, scores of Philhellenic music, and letters written by Greek fighters and Philhellenes.

Among the vast collection, there will be some personal belongings of Lord Byron, the beloved British romantic poet who died in Greece in 1824 after fighting for the liberation of Greece from the Ottoman Empire.

Source: Athens Insider.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

A postcard brought to life: Billy Cotsis explores the soul of Patmos

There is something about the freedom of being out on the Aegean. One can visit small islands, more populated islands, deserted beaches or simply go fishing.

From tragedy to triumph: Christina Vithoulkas becomes Australia’s first female para drifter

Vithoulkas never lost her love for extreme sports. Now 30, she has found the same thrill in drifting—a motorsport where cars slide sideways.

Program of the 11th International Summer University in Boston announced

The 11th International Summer University "Greek Language, Culture and Media" will take place from May 24-29 in Boston.

Hellenic Writer’s Association of Australia hold student literary competition

The Hellenic Writers’ Association of Australia has announced its annual Student Literary Competition, titled “From Greece to the World”.

Athens university develops first tool to measure TikTok addiction

A research team from the University of Athens has created the world’s first tool specifically designed to assess addiction to TikTok.

You May Also Like

Tsitsipas through to Hamburg semi-finals

Greek second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas has beaten Dusan Lajovic in straight sets to reach the Hamburg European Open semi-finals.

The Hellenic Initiative’s global end of year appeal raises $80,000 for children’s education

The Hellenic Initiative’s (THI) joint 2023 End of Year Appeal raised $80,000 for Children’s Villages Greece educational programs.

Greek Parliament set to pass bill for Greek National Tourism Office in Melbourne

Greek Parliament is set to pass a bill for the establishment of a Greek National Tourism Office in Melbourne, Victoria.