British Philhellene author, Patrick Leigh Fermor, donates Kardamyli home to Benaki

Late author, Patrick Leigh Fermor, has chosen Benaki Museum to donate his home in Kardamily. The donation was made through Giannis Tzanetakis, while the author was still alive and his home became the property of Benaki Museum after the death of the great British Philhellene on June 10th 2011.

Last Saturday, in honor of Patrick Leigh Fermor, Benaki Museum held an event at the late author’s home in Kalamitsi, Kardamyli, gathering acquaintances and friends from Greece and the UK, among them, UK Ambassador, Dr. David Landsman, Director of the British Council, Richard Walker, the executors of his will and his biographer.

Patrick Leigh Fermor lived for many years in Mani, in his home that he personally built, based on Nikos Chatdjimichalis designs.

His relationship with Benaki Museum dated years back; he kept contact with Antonis Benakis and Irini Kalliga later, while he maintained close friendly relations with the Institute’s director, Angelos Delivorias. Several years ago, it was decided by the donor and the museum, that his home would be used for the purpose of hosting researchers, poets and writers, visiting Greece to work for a few months. At the same time, for specified time periods, Benaki Museum will have the option to rent the author’s home, to obtain funds for maintenance and hosting. In the coming months, once recording procedures for the library and archives are complete, and all necessary maintenance activities are performed, the Administrative Committee of Benaki Museum will be announcing how the building will operate.

Source: ANA – MPA

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6 thoughts on “British Philhellene author, Patrick Leigh Fermor, donates Kardamyli home to Benaki

  1. Pingback: New Benaki wing to change cultural landscape « Patrick Leigh Fermor

  2. durrell2012

    “In the coming months, once recording procedures for the library and archives are complete, and all necessary maintenance activities are performed, the Administrative Committee of Benaki Museum will be announcing how the building will operate.”

    Thanks for this update, Tom. As you know, with my special concern for Paddy’s library &c., the first part of the above seems hopeful. But more than “recording” is necessary. Preservation will be required, I think. From what I have seen, the mice, insects, elements, and a lifetime’s good use have had their way with Paddy’s books.

    There is some hinting about fund-raising here. Please broadcast the news when you can, and I will be happy to make additional posts in this cause.

    Reply

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