American and European Philhellenism and the Liberation of Nafplion

  • Full Title: American and European Philhellenism and the Liberation of Nafplion: ideas, place, and people at the time of the Greek Revolution
  • Dates: 18–19 June 2022, 11:00am–3:00pm (on Saturday afternoon visits and/or fieldwork will take place at points of interest around Nafplio).
  • Location: CHS Greece, Nafplio
  • Organized by: CHS Greece, under the aegis of the Municipality of Nafplio (DOPPAT)
  • Open to: All
  • Application Period: April 27–May 25, 2022
  • Language: Greek
  • Academic Coordination: Emmanouil G. Chalkiadakis (PhD in History, member of the laboratory teaching staff at the University of Crete, School of Education & scientific associate of CHS in Modern Greek History)
  • Activity Administration: Matina Goga

About the workshop

Overview

Within the context of the annual series of workshops 2021–2022, Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece offers, under the aegis of the Municipality of Nafplio - DOPPAT, the Workshop "American and European Philhellenism and the Liberation of Nafplion: ideas, place, and people at the time of the Greek Revolution".

Philhellenism was an unprompted movement that was developed mainly in the Western world and influenced by the ideas and values of Greek Antiquity. Years before the onset of the Greek Revolution, westerners had expressed interest in the Greeks in the context of their interest in Ancient Greek Civilization and under the prism of the liberal ideas of the American and the French Revolution.

Several foreign travelers traveled to Greece and got to know the ancient remains and the modern Greeks, expressing their sympathy to the latter for their condition.

With the outburst of the Greek Revolution in 1821, public opinion in various western countries was favorably disposed toward the rebellious Greeks. Philhellenes from the United States of America and countries of Western Europe mainly supported the Greek Struggle for Independence materially and morally and many fought alongside the Greeks.

Many of them reached Nafplio and Argolis, such as the Americans E. Everett, G. Jarvis, and S. Howe, the Italians A. Dania and M. Gramsi, the French Ol. Voutier and M. Persat, the Germans A. Kolbe, K. Krazeisen, etc.

The movement of Philhellenism, nevertheless, is also associated with the liberation of Nafplion in 1822. Some Philhellenes fought alongside the Greeks for the conquest of Palamidi and the liberation of the town of Nafplio.

Thematic areas – Workshop structure

In the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to dive deeper and reflect on the formation, causes, and ways of the Philhellenism manifestation, in American and European Philhellenism, in the history of the Greek Revolution, and its relationship with the Philhellenic Movement. Similarly, participants will dive deeper into the local history, on the occasion of the 200 years since the liberation of Nafplio, its historical context, its importance, and also in the role of the Philhellenes in this military success. Participants will also discover unknown aspects of Modern History with Dr. Emmanouil G. Chalkiadakis, Scientific Associate of CHS Greece, while the visit to the Nafplion Annex of the National Gallery and locations around Nafplio related to the Philhellenes will ensure an experiential approach to knowledge.

The approach to the workshop's topic will be structured on the following thematic axes:

Day one

  • Introduction: The Greek Revolution (historical context)
  • Philhellenism: origin, causes, ways of manifestation — Philhellenism and the Greek Revolution
  • American Philhellenism
  • American Philhellenes in Nafplio and Argolis —The case of Edward Everett and Samuel Howe — Other cases
  • European Philhellenism
  • European Philhellenes in Nafplio and Argolis
  • Philhellenism and Art
  • Visit to the National Gallery — Alexandros Soutsos Museum, Nafplion Annex

Day two

  • Introduction: History and place: the role of Nafplion in history and especially during the period of the Greek Revolution
  • The fortresses of Nafplio and their role in the defense of the city
  • The first attempt to capture Palamidi (1821)
  • The second (successful) operation to occupy Palamidi and the liberation of Nafplio (1822)
  • Staikos Staikopoulos, Dimitrios Moschonisiotis, and other fighters who pioneered the whole operation
  • The role of the Philhellenes —personalities who stood out among them
  • The importance of the occupation of Palamidi and the liberation of Nafplion for the Greeks —its impact
  • Fieldwork in Palamidi Fortress.

During the two 4-hour meetings of the workshop, participants are invited to actively contribute to the group’s discussions and to participate in the visits and fieldwork.

The workshop will take place in the "Nikolaos Mazarakis Family" lecture hall at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, in Nafplio. CHS constantly monitors the instructions of Harvard University and the Greek Authorities, strictly observing all the current health protocols.

CHS will continue monitoring COVID-19 developments, regulations, and guidelines, and will inform participants about any changes in the safety protocols as soon as possible. If in situ meetings are not allowed during its days, the workshop will be held entirely online, on the same dates, through the Zoom platform.

Those who are interested in the workshop are invited to submit an individual application form electronically in which they will have to fill in:

  • their personal information and professional/academic status (e.g., studies or profession);
  • a brief description, which should not exceed one paragraph, with the expectations, the motivation to participate, or even issues that concern them in relation to the topic.

Participation

Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Participants do not need to have prior knowledge about the subjects to be discussed.

The selection of 18 participants will be made on a first-come-first-served basis of the order of applications received. In the event that applications exceed the threshold of 18, the selection criterion will be participating for the first time in a CHS workshop in combination with the time of submission of the application.

CHS will provide the participants who will complete the activity successfully with a thank you letter, certifying their participation in the workshop.

All applicants will be notified by CHS in Greece by May 26, 2022, by e-mail about the progress of their application.

Participants need to confirm their participation by e-mail and will also be informed by phone. Upon confirmation, they will receive further instructions regarding their participation and the submission of other related forms. For clarifications on the workshop and the application process, you can contact the Center for Hellenic Studies daily (10:00am–5:00pm) at the Center for Hellenic Studies, at 27520 47040.