Three exciting and informative events you won’t want to miss await at the British School at Athens this November. Founded in 1886, the British School at Athens (BSA) has been a key institution for scholarly research in Greece. As part of the UK’s network of British International Research Institutes, the BSA coordinates and facilitates cutting-edge research across all aspects of the Hellenic world, from the Paleolithic to the present, and from archaeometry to fine arts. With its renowned library, Fitch Laboratory, and diverse academic programs and partnerships, the BSA continues to foster collaboration and promote the advancement of knowledge.
Below, we present a series of exciting upcoming events hosted by the British School at Athens (BSA) this November, where experts and scholars will explore a variety of fascinating topics in Greek history, archaeology, and culture. From the study of ancient ceramics to the legacy of Lord Byron, these events promise to offer unique insights into Greece’s rich past and its cultural connections.
1. From Ceramic Islandscapes to Mobility Dynamics in the Late Chalcolithic-Early Bronze Age Northeast Aegean
(base image from Google Earth)
Seminar Title: From Ceramic Islandscapes to Mobility Dynamics in the Late Chalcolithic-Early Bronze Age Northeast Aegean
Speaker: Dr. Sergios Menelaou (BSA Williams Fellow in Ceramic Petrology)
Date & Time: 18 November @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm EET
Location: British School at Athens, 52 Souedias Street, Upper House (also available via Zoom)
Description:
Join Dr. Sergios Menelaou as he explores the geo-cultural dynamics of the northeast Aegean during the Late Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. His lecture will focus on ceramics from key sites such as Poliochni (Lemnos), Thermi (Lesbos), Emborio (Chios), and the Heraion (Samos), examining the interconnected nature of these regions. Dr. Menelaou will delve into pottery traditions, craft knowledge exchange, and technological transmission across the Aegean, highlighting the social complexity and integration of these communities within a broader cultural network.
Registration:
- In-person: Register here
- Online via Zoom: Register here
2. BYRON @200: Poets, Patriots & Philhellenes
BSA Friends Greece Event Title: BYRON @200: Poets, Patriots & Philhellenes
Date & Time: 25 November @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm EET
Location: British School at Athens, 52 Souedias Street, (also available via Zoom)
A collective reading curated by poet, playwright, and literary translator Ginger F. Zaimis, in collaboration with the British School at Athens and BSA Friends, celebrating Lord Byron and the 200th anniversary of his death. This event will present a series of short talks, readings, and poetry, exploring Byron’s legacy from historical, literary, and contemporary perspectives, all presented in both English and Greek. The event will also include traditional costume, dress, and dance provided by the Λύκειο Ελληνίδων, showcasing representations from Messolonghi and other regions.
Speakers and Performers:
- Orfeas Apergis (Poet) – Πας ρομαντικός φιλέλλην (Reading his poem)
- Dr. Konstantinos Bouras (Poet, Playwright & Literary Translator) – Lord Byron (Reading his poem)
- Anna Griva (Poet & Literary Translator) – A Silent Revolution (Presenting her poem from the collection Demons)
- Rana Hadad (Novelist & Poet) – Machines Writing Poetry: A Letter to Lord Byron from 2024 (Reading her poetic prose)
- Ginger F. Zaimis (Curator & Poet) – Byron & Shelley: The Italian & Greek Years (Presenting highlights and a trilogy of sonnets to Byron)
Historians and Scholars:
- Dr. Dimitrios Stathakopoulos (Ottomanologist & Historian) – Byron’s View of the Ottoman Empire
- Dr. Ioannis Petropoulos (Director Emeritus, Centre for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University) – Childe Harold (Reading excerpts and perspectives)
- Dr. Sofka Zinovieff (Writer & Author) – Records of Shelley and Byron and the Author (Reading excerpts from Trelawny’s work)
- H.E.M. Fokion Zaimis (Deputy Governor & Statesman) – Financing a Revolution: Byron, Zaimis, and Other Statesmen
- Dr. Meletis Meletopoulos (Historian & Author) – Presenting concurrent histories of Greek forefathers and Byron’s involvement in the Greek Revolution
Hybrid Event:
To attend in-person in Athens, please register here: Register here
To attend online via webinar, please register here: Register here
3. Half a Century of Archaeological Science in Greece: Past, Present, & Future
Celebrating 50 Years, The Marc and Ismene Fitch Laboratory for Archaeological Science
Three-day conference, 29 November to 1 December
Conference Title: Half a Century of Archaeological Science in Greece: Past, Present, & Future
Date & Time: 29 November @ 3:00 pm – 1 December @ 6:30 pm EET
Location: British School at Athens, 52 Souedias Street, (also available via Zoom)
On November 29th, 2024, the Fitch Laboratory at the British School at Athens (BSA) will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Since its inception in 1974, the Fitch has grown from a small experiment into an international hub for archaeological science. As the first laboratory of its kind in Greece—and among only a few globally—the Fitch Laboratory’s history traces the development of the field globally, as well as in Greece.
On this occasion the Fitch Laboratory team welcomes the opportunity to reflect and celebrate Half a Century of Archaeological Science in Greece. We have organised an international conference where leading experts in the field will explore how archaeological science has contributed to our understanding of the human past in Greece, focusing on three main topics: Movement and Mobility, Everyday Life, Landscape Histories and Environment.
Preliminary programme:
To view the preliminary programme, click here or on the image below:
Registration Information:
In-Person Registration:
Space is limited, so please register only if you are certain of attending. When registering, you can choose to attend specific days. If you plan to attend the entire conference, please register for all three days.
Register for In-Person Attendance
Online Registration (viewing only):
If you are unable to attend in person, you can still participate in the conference by attending online via Zoom. Registration is required to access the live sessions.
Register for Online Viewing
For more details on these and other upcoming events at the British School at Athens, you may visit the events section of the BSA website here. Additionally, you can follow the BSA on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
To gain a deeper understanding of the objectives and mission of the British School at Athens, you may watch the video below, in which the Director of the BSA, Professor Rebecca Sweetman, provides an insightful overview.
