Geneva honored Lord Byron yesterday marking 200 years of his death. The ceremony took place at Pré Byron, overlooking the city, where Lord Byron once stayed in 1816. The initiative was led by Geneva’s Greek community to commemorate Lord Byron’s contributions to the Greek War of Independence and the spread of philhellenism.
Yesterday’s ceremony was in the presence of Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland, Mayor Catherine Pahnke of Commune de Cologny, Deputy Mayors Pascal Hornung and Bernard Girardet, upcoming and first Greek Mayor of Geneva Christina Kitsos, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Simon Manley, and sponsor George Koukis who was fervent over the project’s successful result and spoke of altruism, the spirit of offering, and solidarity.
Mr. Tzanoulinos (sculptor), Honorary President Mr. Papadopoulos, Professor Sylvian Fachard, expatriate and philhellenic association representatives, Hardt Foundation officials, and citizens were an integral part of the honourable event. Discussions took place in reference to Lord Byron’s life and work during his stay in Cologny, and throughout his travels in Switzerland which took place in the period of May-Oct 1816. Lord Byron was reputable for his contributions to the Greek War of Independence where the General Consul Alexandros Gennimatas thanked George Koukis for his support. Notably, former General Consul Thanos Kafopoulos had initiated the project in 2020.
The sculpture is yet another landmark in the long philhellenic tradition within Geneva, embodying the ideals of the Greek Revolution, especially the struggle for freedom and the importance of solidarity. It is also an enduring expression of the Greeks’ gratitude to the most eminent Philhellene of that era for his contributions to the War of Independence.
Following the ceremony, the President of the Philhellenism Museum, Mr. Velentzas, awarded the Lord Byron Medal to the distinguished Swiss Philhellene Professor Pierre Ducrey, whom the General Consul described as the embodiment of modern Swiss Philhellenism, in recognition of his unwavering dedication to promoting the values of Hellenism, Greek history, and culture, and strengthening ties between Greece and Switzerland.
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