Commemorative exhibition "Asia minor Hellenism Heyday · Catastrophe · Displacement · Rebirth"

The Benaki Museum and the Centre for Asia Minor Studies are co-organising the large commemorative exhibition ‘Asia minor Hellenism Heyday · Catastrophe · Displacement · Rebirth’ to mark the centennial anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe.

The exhibition is co-organised by two important institutions that have been studying the legacy of Hellenism in Asia Minor and preserving the refugees’ memories for decades. The Centre for Asia Minor Studies, one of the most important research institutions for the history and culture of Asia Minor, hosts the unique Oral History Archive, compiled on testimonies by over-5,000 first-generation refugees from Asia Minor. Its Musical Folklore Archive contains rare recordings, manuscripts, and documents. These valuable archives, as well as the Library, the numerous publications, and the Bulletin of the Centre contribute decisively to the dialogue between the Greek and the international scholarly communities. The collections of the Benaki Museum, one of the three museums that received relics of the communities during their relocation to Greece, document the character of Asia Minor Hellenism in all its temporal and geographical extent, presenting its daily and professional life and art. The Museum's Historical Archives preserve important testimonies from the Asia Minor campaign and the resettlement of refugees, while exhibits from The Ghika Gallery document the contribution of Asia Minor to 20th-century culture.

In addition to the two co-organisers, the exhibition borrows items from more than 40 organisations, museums, and institutions, custodians of Hellenic history and culture in Asia Minor, as well as over 50 individuals, who generously lend treasures from their private collections. This unprecedented number of public and private lenders ensures the quality and variety of content, as well as the uniqueness of the exhibition, the preparation and research of which began in the fall of 2018.

More than 1.100 exhibits and over 500 photographs will bring to life the heyday of Hellenism before the persecutions, the dramatic period between 1919 and 1923 as well as the settlement and integration of the Asia Minor refugees in Greece.

During the exhibition, guided tours will be carried out on the following dates:
Saturday, 22/10/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 22/10/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 29/10/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 29/10/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 05/11/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 05/11/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 12/11/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 12/11/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 19/11/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 19/11/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 26/11/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 26/11/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 03/12/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 03/12/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 10/12/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 10/12/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 17/12/2022, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 17/12/2022, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 14/01/2023, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 14/01/2023, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 21/01/2023, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 21/01/2023, 17:00 - 18:00
Saturday, 28/01/2023, 11:00 - 12:00
Saturday, 28/01/2023, 17:00 - 18:00

Holiday schedule: 24 & 31/12/22 10:00 - 18:00
More than 1.100 exhibits and over 500 photographs will bring to life the heyday of Hellenism before the persecutions.

Ticket Details

€15, €12

Guided tours Plus € 5 to the admission cost