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On November 8, 2023, the Bessarion Research Unit for Modern Greek Culture was officially inaugurated at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. The unit is part of the Institute for Slavistics and Caucasus Studies at the university. Prof. Dr. Thede Kahl, a distinguished scholar in Slavonic studies and geography, holds the position of head of the research unit. He has been a full professor at the universities of Vienna and Jena, and a member of both the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the Academia Europaea.
The Bessarion Research Unit will focus on scientific research in three main areas: exploring the dialectical diversity of the Greek language, examining Ottoman sources on Modern Hellenism in Asia Minor, and investigating the maintenance of local cultures in Greece. The research unit is named after the Renaissance-era humanist and European scholar, Bessarion of Trebizond (1395?-1472), who dedicated his life to preserving Greek Byzantine literature following the conquest of Constantinople.
The funding for the research unit is sourced from donations provided by diaspora organizations, such as AHEPA Frankfurt, AHEPA Munich, the Greek Community Frankfurt/Hessen, the Foundation Greek House in Frankfurt, the Association of Greek Fur Merchants in Germany Prophet Elias Frankfurt, the Association of Pontic Greeks Nuremberg, and individual contributors.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the unit’s opening, Prof. Dr. Kahl stated, “I am delighted to open the Bessarion Research Centre for Greek Culture in Jena. This unit will be a tremendous asset for researchers and students, making a significant contribution to the study of Greek culture.”
The Bessarion Research Unit offers researchers a unique opportunity to explore the dialectical diversity of the Modern Greek language, examine Ottoman sources for Greeks in Anatolia, and investigate the preservation of local cultures in Greece. The unit will also host various events, including lectures, seminars, and workshops, to promote the study of Greek culture. Additionally, it will provide a platform for publishing research papers and books related to the study of Greek culture.
The Bessarion Research Unit is a welcome addition to the offerings of Friedrich Schiller University Jena and will be a valuable resource for both researchers and students. It stands as a fitting tribute to the legacy of Bessarion of Trebizond and his commitment to preserving Greek Byzantine literature.
The event received a warm welcome from CDU member of parliament Albert Weiler, who highlighted his close connection to Greek culture and the influence of Byzantium on Europe, as well as the impact of Bessarion’s personality during the Renaissance. He remarked, “The Bessarion Centre is a great opportunity to bring Greek and German cultures closer together and promote the study of Greek culture and language.”
Prof. Dr. Rainer Thiel, a professor of ancient Greek and Latin philology, also extended a welcome and emphasized the importance of Modern Greek studies at the University of Jena, providing a unique and enriching perspective on Greek heritage.
Present as representatives of major donors AHEPA Frankfurt and the Greek Community Frankfurt/M. (Hessen), as well as representatives of the Board of Trustees of the Greek House Foundation, Frankfurt, were Dr. Savvas Apostolidis, chief physician and vascular surgeon, and Ioannis Stamatis, a lawyer. Also in attendance were the initiators of the Bessarion project, Silvia Panagiotidou Sanchez representing the Pontic Association Nuremberg, and Anastasia Kasapidou Dick representing the Standing Committee for Genocide of OSEPE.
Dr. Apostolidis stated, “The Bessarion Centre is proof of the importance of Greek culture and the Greek language in the modern world.” Ioannis Stamatis added, “This is an important moment for Hellenism. We must support innovative research objects that are necessary for the vitality of the sciences.” Silvia Panagiotidou Sanchez said, “This is a karmic opportunity to meet both Professor Thede Kahl and the generous sponsors. We are very happy that we can celebrate the beginning of the work of this research unit.” Anastasia Kasapidou Dick added, “This is an important step towards promoting Greek culture and literature in Europe. We are proud to participate in this important moment.”
The main speakers of the day were Christos Kafasis, a historian and Byzantinist at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, and Prof. Dr. Kahl, along with his colleagues Andreea Pascaru and Dr. Sotirios Rousiakis. In his introduction, Mr. Kafasis described Bessarion as a visionary of a united Europe of peoples under one united church and a culture based on the values and names of Greek classical literature. Prof. Dr. Kahl emphasized the rich collection of archival material available in Jena and pointed out its significance for modern Greek studies.
Also participating in the opening ceremony were Christos Perperidis, a lawyer and member of AHEPA Munich and the Pontic Association Munich, as well as the coordinator for issues of Pontic Greeks of AHEPA Europe. Also present was Pavlos Efthimiadis, an entrepreneur and chairman of the Greek Fur Merchants Association in Germany Prophet Elias in Frankfurt. He was responsible for communicating the research unit initiative in the Frankfurt region. Dimitris Lampropoulos, coordinator of the Pontic Association Nuremberg and communications officer of the research unit initiative since its inception in 2019, was also present.
The participation of the Greek-Armenian businessman and political activist Paul Guloglou was a special honour for the opening ceremony. His efforts led to the establishment of a monument in 2016 in honour of the genocide of the Armenians at a central location in Jena, on the green space on the Saalebank at the historic Camsdorfer Bridge.
Contact: Prof. Dr. Thede Kahl, (scientific director)
Prof. adj. Dr. med. Savvas Apostolidis, (Coordinator for AHEPA, Treasurer D28 Europe, Past-President AHEPA Frankfurt A617)
