Members of the Leventis family were presented with a commemorative book

Celebrating 20 years of friendship at 2017 Leventis Lectures

Around 100 people attended a special event at the Hellenic Centre in London on Tuesday evening (2 May), to celebrate the exceptional partnership between the University of Exeter and the A.G. Leventis Foundation.

Since 1997 the A.G. Leventis Foundation has worked closely with the Department of Classics and Ancient History, helping to develop global understanding of the impact of Greek culture.

During this time the Foundation has donated nearly £1 million to support a number of PhD studentships in Classics, the Leventis Lecture Series, and a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow. In addition, last year the generosity was extended still further with support for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Earth Sciences.

At the celebratory reception, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Steve Smith, presented members of the Leventis family with a commemorative book to mark the 20-year partnership.

The publication showcases the achievements that have been made in the past two decades thanks to Leventis support and includes personal thanks from all the scholars who have been supported.

Elisa Groff, a current Leventis PhD studentship recipient, also spoke about the impact the Foundation’s support has had on her.

The University was delighted that the trustees of the A.G. Leventis Foundation – Mr. A.P. Leventis, Mrs E. Leventis OBE, Mr. Anastasios Leventis (Classics 1994), and Ms. Georgina Dimopoulou (International Programs Manager at the Foundation) - were able to join the celebration.

Speaking at the event, Professor Sir Steve Smith said: “The on-going support of the Foundation has provided vital opportunities for young researchers to gain academic experience and to establish themselves within their field.

“We are very proud that all scholars have achieved excellent PhDs and secured academic appointments at universities across the world. So their passion for, and understanding of, Greek culture has truly been spread across the world.”

Following the presentation guests attended the annual Leventis Lectures, which this year featured Professor Neville Morley talking about the influence of the Greek historian Thucydides, and Professor Karen Ni-Mheallaigh who explored ancient speculation about what the world looked like from outer space.

View photographs from the event here.

Established in May 1979, the A.G. Leventis Foundation is the outcome of the vision of the Cypriot entrepreneur Anastasios G. Leventis (1902-1978), who laid the basis of its focus on society, education and culture. The Leventis Lectures were set-up in 2013 as a way of sharing the impact of Greek culture.

Click here to read the special publication.

Date: 5 May 2017