“Smart” historical signs on the streets of Athens for the Philhellenic Movement – See photos

Santarosa, Webster, Trimber, Lord Byron, Lenorman, Hayden, Mager. These great Philhellenes, like many others, give their glamor to many small and large streets of Athens, reminding passers-by of the huge contribution of the Philhellenic Movement to the Greek Revolution, two centuries ago, as well as the progress of the newly formed Greek States.

At the initiative of the Hellenic Society of Environment and Culture (ELLET) and the cooperation of the Municipality of Athens – through the Society for Development and Tourism Promotion (EATA) – with ELLET, the action “Walking with the Philhellenes” was implemented with the aim not only to honor role of these great foreign personalities (Italians, French, Americans, Germans, British, Russians, etc.), who contributed to the history of modern Greece – expressing their love for the country either with moral or material support – but also to give every Athenian and visitor of the city the opportunity to get to know them better and to understand the modern history, making only a short stop… in the streets of the Greeks.

As part of the action, which takes place starting from the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution and with the valuable contribution of sponsors, a total of 62 signs for 29 Philhellenes were placed on streets bearing the names of the Hellenic Movement. They feature portraits of them, as well as explanatory historical texts – in Greek and English – with information about their personalities, but also about the way in which they contributed to the Struggle for Independence. The texts of the signs, as well as the application were written by a group of leading historians.

It is noted that each sign has a QRcode, which refers to an electronic application (web application), providing in Greek and English additional information about the Philhellenes and the Hellenic Movement, as well as accompanying podcasts.

Apocalypse on Filellinon Street

Presence of the Mayor of Athens Mr. Costas Bakogiannis, the Vice President of the Hellenic Society of Environment and Culture Mr. Costas Stamatopoulos, the Ambassadors to our country – of the United States of America Mr. Jeffrey Payat, of the Federal Republic of Germany. Ernst Rachel, Ms. Patricia Falcinelli of Italy, Mr. Matthew Lodz of Britain, and Ms. Marina Martinou, of AIGEA AMKE, unveiled the plaque of the of the same name in the center of Athens. The historian, Professor Thanos Veremis, gave a short speech at the site.

An event followed at the Athens City Hall, with the participation of the main contributors of the project -historians and organizations that provided digital archives- of the Ambassadors and sponsors of the project. During the event, a presentation of the application was made, as well as a short speech historian, Professor Maria Efthymiou.

In the greeting addressed by Mayor of Athens Mr. Costas Bakogiannisamong others, stressed: “The action” Walking with the Greeks “is an initiative of the Hellenic Society of Environment and Culture, implemented in collaboration with the Society for Development and Tourism Promotion of the Municipality of Athens, and offers an excellent opportunity to its residents and visitors to get to know in depth, both the historical figures and the landmarks of Athens, about which we have all wondered at some point. […] On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution, we invite you to discover together the unknown aspects of the history of the Greeks, through texts and photographs of reputable historians, as they are recorded in Archives and Institutions of our country. It is of great value to get to know them, to mentally follow in their footsteps and, through exploring the city, to re-establish ourselves with our past “.

For his part, o Vice President of ELLET Mr. Costas Stamatopoulos, representing the Company, read the greeting of the President of ELLET, Mrs. Lydia Karra, stating: us, as a gift for future generations. The program “Walking with the Greeks” of the HELLENIC SOCIETY of Environment and Culture, in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, aims to help save the memory of those who sacrificed for our freedom. Gratitude for their support and contribution will be passed on from generation to generation. We do not forget! “

THE US Ambassador Jeffrey Payat In his speech, he stressed: “The US Embassy is proud to support the” Walking with the Philhellenes “initiative, part of our campaign,” USA and Greece: Celebrating 200 Years of Friendship “, honoring the two hundred years since the Greek Revolution and the common democratic values ​​of our countries. The contributions of the American Philhellenes to the Greek revolution are not only part of the United States’s historic friendship with Greece, but also an example of the democratic values ​​that continue to unite our peoples today and are central to our remarkable alliance. “Our commitment to uphold and uphold these values ​​is even more important today as our relationship grows stronger – and as our countries together face even greater challenges.”

THE Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Ernst Rachel Among other things, he pointed out: “I am filled with joy and pride by the arrival of hundreds of Germans in Greece, in order to support the Greek Revolution. It was clearly the most numerous group of registered Philhellenes. Today, more than twenty names of streets and squares in the city of Athens remind us that many German Philhellenes left a strong mark on the newly established Greek state, especially in the fields of science, education, urban planning and justice. “I am glad that the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens had the opportunity to substantially support the program.”

THE Italian Ambassador, Mrs. Patricia Falcinelli She said in her speech: “Philhellenism was a very strong and widespread ideological movement throughout Italy and Greece became a very important source of inspiration, a real role model for thousands of my compatriots. Many Italians decided to come to Greece in person to support its struggle for freedom, often sacrificing their lives. “The feeling of brotherhood with the Greek fighters made the Italians more and more aware of their own longing for the unification of the Italian nation, which then took place 40 years later”.

THE Ambassador of Britain Mr. Matthew Lodz, for his part, stressed: “I feel very honored to represent my country in today’s event related to the anniversary of the Two Hundred Years of the Greek Revolution that we celebrated together last year. This is an exceptional initiative of the Municipality of Athens and the Hellenic Society of Environment and Culture which honors in the best way the memory of the Greeks from so many countries that acted and many gave their lives for Greece. At the same time, it brings the residents and visitors of Athens in contact with the history of the city and the country in a discreet but essential way “.

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