Academy of Athens
The Academy of Athens was founded with the Constitutional Decree of March 18th 1926, as an Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts. The same Decree appointed its first Members, who were all eminent representatives of the scientific, intellectual and artistic circles of that era.
The Academy's first Presiding Board had the following composition: The President was Fokion Negris, the Vice-President was Georgios Hatzidakis, the Secretary General was Simos Menardos, the Secretary for Proceedings was Kostis Palamas, and the Secretary for Publications was Georgios Drosinis.
Directly following its establishment, the Academy of Athens became a member of two major international organisations: the International Union of Academies (Association Internationale des Academies), and the International Council of Scientific Unions (=ICSU).
The establishment of the Academy of Athens was the culmination of long and tireless efforts for the establishment of a Greek academy that lasted almost a century. Its name is a reference to Plato's Academy and the spiritual glory of ancient Athens, which Thucydides calls "the city that is the center of education for Greece".
The donation of National Benefactor Simon Sinas around 1856, which made the erection and sculptural and painted decoration of the neoclassical building currently housing the Academy of Athens possible, was decisive in promoting the idea of the establishment of an academy. The Academy of Athens' Building constitutes one of three parts in an "architectural trilogy" consisting of the Museum (the National Library) - the University - and the Academy. The latter was designed in 1859, by the Danish architect Theophil Hansen (1813-1891), the younger brother of the University's architect, Christian Hansen. It is considered the most important work of Hansen, and is regarded by some experts as the most beautiful neoclassic building worldwide. The architect's source of inspiration was the classical architecture of fifth century B.C. Athens, as portrayed in the monuments of the Acropolis. In particular Hansen emulated the aspects of the Ionian rhythm that dominate the Building of the Academy, from the Erechtheion monument. The epitome of all ancient Greek tradition can be found in the Building's sculptural and pictorial decoration; simultaneously the character of that era's Hellenism and its visions for the future are also expressed.
In the time spanning its establishment to the present day, the Academy of Athens has operated within the framework of its stated purpose, both in the areas of scientific research and of the cultivation of Humanities and Fine Arts. On numerous occasions the Academy has intervened to international bodies on matters concerning culture, the environment, universal values, national and human rights. The best examples of such interventions are the denunciation of the persecution of the Jews during the Second World War, and the defense of the rights of the Cypriots for self-determination. Moreover, during critical times for the Greek nation, for example during the German Occupation, or at times when the democratic institutions were suspended, for example under the 1967 Dictatorship, the Academy of Athens fought to maintain its moral and spiritual independence.
The work and the positions of the Academy of Athens continue to have an impact on Greek society. This is clear from the donations and bequests made by both individuals and bodies; their management allows the Academy to continue to serve its purpose: supporting scientific research, financing publications, granting scholarships and awarding prizes.
