Philhellenism across the Ages

  • Full Title: Philhellenism across the Ages
  • Dates: March 18–19, 2023, 11:00 am–4:00 pm
  • Location: Athens (Greece)
  • Organized by: CHS Greece, in cooperation with the Museum of Philhellenism
  • Open to: All (up to 18 positions)
  • Application Period: February 2–March 1, 2023
  • Language: Greek
  • Academic Coordination: Dr. Christos Aliprantis (CHS Early Career Fellow in Philhellenism 2022-23, Ruhr University, Bochum)
  • Activity Administration: Matina Goga (CHS Greece)

About the workshop

Overview

As part of the annual series of workshops 2022 - 2023 and the joint CHS-Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism Fellowship, the Center for Hellenic Studies offers the workshop: "Philhellenism across the Ages."

The workshop focuses on the diachronic impact of the phenomenon of the international sympathy towards Greeks and analyses the main thematic pillars that have rendered Philhellenism both influential in the 19th century and extremely current today. The workshop focuses on Philhellenism during the Greek War of Independence of 1821-30. However, it is not limited to the early 19th century, but also examines aspects and the endurance of the phenomenon in the following two centuries. Participants will have the opportunity to interact both with each other and the moderator but also with related primary material. As it will be carried out in the premises of the Museum of Philhellenism the participants will have the unique opportunity to come into direct contact with a rich collection of Philhellenic exhibits (documents, works of art, costumes, etc.), some of which will be used for the needs of the workshop.

Philhellenism Workshop poster 2023.

Thematic areas – Workshop structure

The workshop is structured in separate thematic sessions of approximately two hours each. In each session, the coordinator will introduce the participants to the thematic areas, followed by a discussion based on primary material from the Museum's collection. Participants will thus be able to integrate the objects in their historical context, and acquire an in-depth knowledge of the material and non-material aspects of Philhellenism.

Day one

  • Introduction: basic characteristics and a brief overview of Philhellenism.
  • Philhellenism and antiquity:
    • The reception of the classical past from the late 18th - early 19th century onwards, and the way in which it triggered the philhellenic mobilization in the Greek revolution.
    • The Philhellenic representations of the ancient past in the 19th and 20th centuries (touring, the establishment of the discipline of archaeology, etc.).
  • Philhellenism and democracy. Liberal, constitutional, and radical ideals:
    • The connection of Philhellenism with pan-European and global pursuits for more representative governance in the 19th and 20th centuries.
    • Philhellenism and the rebelled Greeks as a counter-proposal to monarchic regime after the Congress of Vienna (1815). The "legacies" of Philhellenism of the 1820s in subsequent revolutionary movements in Europe (Italy, Poland, Germany, etc.) and the world (USA).
  • Visit to the Museum's premises. Presentation of the exhibition on American Philhellenism.

Day two

  • Introduction: basic characteristics and a brief overview of Philhellenism.
  • Philhellenism and Rights:
    • The formation of the concepts of humanism, human rights, and humanitarian intervention during the Greek War of Independence.
    • The pairing of Philhellenism and Christianity as well as "whiteness ", in contrast to the non-white and non-Christian Other (the constituent elements of humanism in the phase of the initial formation of the concept).
  • Philhellenism and aesthetics:
    • Connection of Philhellenism with the artistic movements of its time (literature, painting).
    • Forms of depiction of the Greeks and the Philhellenes in Western art of the 19th and 20th centuries.
    • Relationship between Philhellenism and gender in its artistic dimension. The role of female figures (ancient and modern) related to Greece (examined with the help of selected exhibits of the Museum).
  • Synopsis and concluding remarks.

During the workshop meetings, the academic coordinator will introduce the above topics, and participants are invited to contribute to the group's discussions and case studies actively. In addition, ten days before the workshop, participants will receive relevant material that they can optionally study in advance.

Objectives

Participants in the workshop are expected to:

  • Become familiar with the basic characteristics of Philhellenism and the historical environment in which it developed.
  • Examine the emergence of Philhellenism as a timeless phenomenon that played a decisive role in the political and ideological formation of modern Greece.
  • Critically analyse and study texts and works of art directly related to Philhellenism.
  • Engage with the Museum of Philhellenism and the prominence of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism endeavor.

Participation

Interested parties are invited to submit an online application form for the workshop, in which they should fill in:

  • their personal details and their status (e.g. studies or profession),
  • a brief description, not exceeding one paragraph of their expectations, motivation for participation, or issues of concern in relation to the topic.

Eighteen (18) participants will be selected by the workshop coordinator on the basis of the information they provide in their online application and particularly the reasons why they wish to participate in the workshop. Prior knowledge on Philhellenism and Greek and European history in general is not required but is welcome. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.

CHS Greece will issue a letter of thanks to the participants certifying their participation in the workshop.

All applicants will be notified by CHS Greece by March 6, 2023, by e-mail about the progress of their application. Participants need to confirm their participation by e-mail and will also receive upon confirmation further instructions regarding their participation and the submission of other related forms by phone. For clarifications on the workshop and the application process, you can contact the Center for Hellenic Studies daily (10:00 am–5:00 pm) at (+30) 27520 47040.

CHS constantly monitors the instructions of Harvard University and the Greek Authorities, strictly observing all the current health protocols, and will inform participants accordingly if there are changes in the safety protocols and regulations.