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Our purpose
The Hellenic Centre offers a rich programme of lectures, exhibitions, concerts, social events, and Greek language courses to promote awareness of Hellenic culture and nurture UK relations with the Hellenic world.
Nepal -through my lenses-
An exhibition of photographs by Kostis Paraskevas depicting the people, the religions and the landscape of Nepal. Meet the Artist: Thursday 17 October, 6pm-8pm.MEETING & EVENT SPACES FOR HIRE
The Hellenic Centre is a central London venue with a variety of meeting rooms and event spaces available to hire all year round. It offers smaller rooms for meetings, larger spaces for conferences and training workshops and the Great Hall for larger gatherings such as fashions shows, weddings, product launches and bespoke corporate events.
Learn Greek
Greek courses for all levels, from Alpha to Omega
We run Greek language courses for groups and individuals; we hold conversation classes and help prepare for the C1 & C2 Certificate of Attainment in Greek.
The following courses are fully booked:
Beginners 1 on Tuesdays 6.30-8pm
Beginners 1 on Thursdays 12.30-2pm
Beginners 1 on Thursdays 6.30-8pm
Fast Track Beginners 1+2 on Tuesday and Thursdays 6.30-8pm
Beginners 2 on Wednesdays 6.30-8pm
Beginners 3 on Mondays 6.30-8pm
Intermediate 1 on Mondays 6.30-8pm
Key registration dates
The Autumn Term will start on Monday 30 September.
Registration for the Autumn Term has now closed.
There is limited availability for some of our courses. Registration for available courses will take place first week of term, 30 September to 4 October.
To find out about available places and to register please call us on 020 7563 9831 between 30 September and 4 October at the following times: 11.30am-2.30pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm.
Greek course books
Once your place on a course is confirmed, you can get all course books directly from the Hellenic Centre office.
Become a member
WHAT'S ON
Wall Paintings of Cyprus During the Reign of the Lusignans
Dr Sophocles Sophocleous – Professor of Art History and Archaeology, President of the Centre of Natural and Cultural Heritage will present this lecture containing the most representative examples of Cyprus’s monumental paintings from the Middle Ages, when the island was an independent kingdom governed by the Crusader family of the House of Lusignans, native from Lusignan at Poitou in France.
The presented monuments are classified in the World’s Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
In the late 12th Century the art of the murals in Cyprus pursues the acquired tradition of the East Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) under the reign of the House of Comnenians (1057-1185). Judging from the examples of frescoes conserved from this period, the continuation of the Late-Comnenian style after 1185 and during the 13th century is well evident. The geo-political conditions during the 13th century, with the fall of Constantinople to the hands of the Crusaders from 1204 to 1261 and the consequent lack of a constantinopolitan artistic production, favoured the development of a local style clearly Cypriot, called “maniera cypria”. After the restoration of the empire at Constantinople in 1261 under the dynasty of the Paleologans, an official art heralds again emanating from the capital. In this framework the introduction of the paleologan style is observed in Cyprus, as in all areas under the influence of the empire.
During the 14th and 15th centuries stylistic amalgamation between the local Cypriot tradition and the influences arriving from Western Europe, found a fertile ground for development. Until the end of the Lusignan reign in 1489 and even later under the Venetian governorship (1489-1570/71), the coexistence of the Latin Sovereigns and the Greek Orthodox people of Cyprus encouraged the syncretist artistic production. Features of the Italian Primitives style appear in the Cypriot space already in the 14th century before the definite impact of the Italian Humanism in the 15th and 16th centuries. The so-called Italo-Byzantine style is in fact the manifestation of the Renaissance in Cyprus, in parallel with the Paleologan painting that continues after the fall of Constantinople into the hands of the Ottomans in 1453.
Organised by the Hellenic Centre and the Centre of Natural and Cultural Heritage, Cyprus
Free Entry, RSVP 020 7563 9835 or Eventbrite
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15 Oct 2019 Tue
Dimitrios Skyllas: The first Greek composer commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in history: from Epidaurus to the Barbican
Dimitrios Skyllas will be joined by Paul Hughes, director of the BBC Orchestra, to discuss about the composer’s diverse influences from religion to cinema, and to screen videos of his music from the tragedy ‘Electra’ at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. The concert is at the Barbican 29 January 2020. Moderated by Dimitrios Kraniotis, Co-founder of Ark4Art.
This event is sold out.
Free entry, RSVP
The Hellenic Centre -
17 Oct 2019 Thu
Screening: “Life Will Smile”
“Life Will Smile” is a 40-minute feature documentary based on the incredible true story of an entire Jewish community surviving WWII, thanks to the brave actions of the people of Zakynthos.
Film followed with Q&A with director Drey Kleanthous and producer Steven Priovolos.
SOLD OUT!
Free entry, booking essential
The Hellenic Centre -
28 Oct 2019 Mon
Nearchos C. Clerides, 50 Years later
Presentation in Greek to celebrate the work of Nearchos C. Clerides a prominent figure in the education, literature and education of Cyprus during the beginning of the 20th Century.
Organised by the Nearchos Clerides Cultural Foundation, Cyprus
Supported by the Hellenic Centre
Free entry – RSVP
The Hellenic Centre -
05 Nov 2019 Tue
Human Rights in relation to the Property Issue in Cyprus – Latest Developments
Human Rights have dominated the Property Issue in Cyprus. The latest developments in Cyprus and the European Court of Human Rights will be presented.
Free Entry; RSVP
The Hellenic Centre -
22 Nov 2019 Fri
Byron, Greece, and European musical conversations
European influences on Greek music of the late 19th and early 20th century and Byron’s affiliation with Greece during the Revolution, revealed through selected violin and piano works and Byron’s poetry.
The event will be introduced by Professor Roderick Beaton. Oliver Nelson (violin) and Vasilis Rakitzis (piano) will play works by Samaras, Beethoven, Varvoglis, and Franck.
Organised by the Hellenic Centre and Supported by Dr S. Retsas in memory of the late Dr Diana G Rees (Retsas)
Booking Essential
£10, £8 Concessions
HC Members Free
The Hellenic Centre