The Multiculturalism of Philhellenism – Guided Tour
Philhellenism, or the ‘love of Greece’, has manifested itself through Greece's history from antiquity to today, with many admirers of Greece recognising its Classical and Byzantine legacy as the foundation of their nations' political, cultural and religious traditions. This tour of The Spirit of Byron exhibition will explore the evolution of Philhellenism and its role in inspiring international support for Greece during the Greek War of Independence.
The tour will guide audiences through the diverse expressions of Philhellenism by key allies during the war — Russia, Britain and France — and unpack each ally’s political and diplomatic agenda towards Greece during this period. It will also examine the cultural politics of Philhellenism, considering how the proliferation of poetry, visual culture (such as prints and paintings), philhellene propaganda and the hopes for a liberated Greece expressed by individuals — from from Russian General admiral Alexei Orlov, to English poets Percy Shelley and Lord Byron, American physician Samuel Howe, and French artist Eugene Delacroix — helped galvanise support for the Greek cause.
Duration
Capacity
Cost
50 minutes
25 people (min. charge 8 people)
$17pp general
$15pp concession/students
Teachers accompany free
Suitable for
This tour is suitable for adults who are studying or interested in Greek and/or Modern History. It is also suitable for secondary students studying Greek, Modern History (Years 9–VCE) and/or History of Revolutions (VCE), with the following curriculum/study design links:
Greek Schools
This is an excellent workshop to engage Secondary school level students who are learning Greek with the history and significance of the Greek War of Independence.
Victorian Curriculum F–10
Learning Area: History
This tour is suitable for year 9 and 10 History students studying the making of the modern world from 1750–1918 and looking at the dynamics of nationalism and imperialism at this time.
VCE History – Study Design Links
Modern History Unit 1 Change and Conflict:
Area of Study 1: Ideology and Conflict
This tour is an excellent introduction to the nature of social, political, economic and cultural change in the later part of the 19th century, including the challenge to empires in the context of the Greek War of Independence.
Revolutions Units 3 and 4:
Area of Study 1: Causes of Revolutions
Area of Study 2: Consequences of Revolution
This tour is an excellent introduction to the nature of revolutions, and their causes and consequences for students studying the Russian, French and American revolutions. The tour will allow students to compare and contrast the differences and similarities between these revolutions and the Greek revolution, while engaging in broader discussion surrounding the nature of revolution.
VCE Art Creative Practice – Study Design Links
Unit 1: Area of Study 1: Artists, artworks and audiences
Unit 2: Area of Study 1: The artist, society and culture
This tour gives students insight into the political and cultural contexts in which paper-based artworks (such as aquatints, etchings, lithographs) were produced during the Greek War of Independence, and how they express the spirit of Philhellenism and the Romantic Movement in art.