A typically quaint translation from Google Translate of a press release from the Benaki Museum website about the handing over of the house at Kardamyli to the Benaki.

The original pdf in Greek is to be found here.

“The Benaki Museum hosted the evening Saturday, the 17th September 2011 an event dedicated to Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor. Acquaintances and friends from Greece and England, between in which the Ambassador of England Dr. David Landsman, the director British Council Richard Walker, the executors and the biographer, gathered at his home in area Kalamitsi Kardamili for a wine in memory of one the most beloved British Philhellenes. Education, warmth, unparalleled bravery, his liveliness and politeness of Patrick Leigh Fermor came alive again in the hearts of all that was also attended.

It was an emotional night. O Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor died on June 10, 2011, at age 96 years in Dumbleton, England. For many years he lived in Mani, who built a house he designed by Nick Hatzi. His relationship with the Benaki Museum keeps a long time;had contacts with Antonis Benaki Peace Kalliga later and maintained close friendships with the Director Mr. Angel Foundation Delivorrias. The Benaki Museum chose Patrick Fermor alive to donate his house, mediated by Tzannis Tzannetakis, and received at the Foundation after his death it. For several years it had been agreed by donors and Museum that the house will be used for hosting researchers poets and writers who visit Greece to work a few months. While for certain intervals Benaki Museum will have the option to rent the house to ensure the maintenance and hosting.

The coming months, once the full record library and archive and make the necessary maintenance of the house, the Administrative Committee of the Museum Benaki will make its modes of space. “The Patrick Leigh Fermor, moreover, were more Kardamylitis and less; a thoroughbred Englishman Maniatis ie, a Real Greek, a patriot would say, “said Director Museum Angelos Delivorias. He continued, “The love of even for Greece not only recorded many books has dedicated, and the choice of the place chosen to live.

It is this love shown by his decision to bequeath the home of the Benaki Museum, a spiritual body purveyor in the service of our country … From the Greeks and Greece also carried the words of my prayer for good katefodio, but the certainty that his departure would not be definite. Why do you remain vibrant traces the steps in Crete and the Peloponnese, Attica and Roumeli. As live will remain the narratives of his books, the memories of those who lived close by, the historical deposits of the altars of freedom, the breezes of a fascinating personality. The gratitude to the Benaki Museum in particular will, however, only be measured by the degree to fulfill the legacy and desires of the man who benefited. ”

The text of his speech Museum Director, Mr. Angelo Delivorrias

“Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends of Patrick Leigh Fermor and equally dear fellow from Kardamyli

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Benaki Museum and President, I welcome you to a celebration held to honor the memory of Patrick Leigh Fermor, fastening ties from now on you’ll connect with you and us. The Patrick Leigh Fermor, moreover, were more Kardamylitis and less; a thoroughbred Englishman Maniatis ie, a real Greek, a patriot, I would say. Even his love for Greece not recorded only in what books have devoted but also in the location chosen to live. It is this love illustrated by its decision to bequeath the house to the Museum Benaki, a spiritual body purveyor serving the site us.

The Paddy, as they called friends of the Sun during the Michael fellow, he was a mythical hero in life by history, an internationally acclaimed author of the rigorous critique of the fellow, a man of rare gifts integrity and high optimally. It is therefore coincidental that he was connected with that best available human capital of Greece, from the fighters in the Cretan mountains during the war as the residents Kardamili time of peace; the big painter and also the benefactor of the museum, Nick ChatzikyriakoGkika as the Tzannis Tzannetakis in Maniatis militant resistance against junta, known political and translator of the book for Mani also a friend of the Museum. In this short invitation I can not not mention Nick Hatzi, a brilliant architect, friend and him, from which the Fermor claimed, jokingly of course, the authorship of the plans of the house that hosts us.

Touched on only a few of those who truly elite Greeks were connected with him, because, as also several of the British friends, is no longer with us. By the way, but the tonight’s event would not be allowed to fail warmer thanks to the Benaki Museum executors, his Alexander Mitchell and Michael Casey, supervisors managers, the beloved Olivia Stewart in particular, and to Greeks supervisors, Anthony Masouridi, the Tonya and Giannidi Peter Tzannetakis, his two children Tzannes. We thank you, finally, the Artemis Cooper in advance for her biography of Fermor prepare, and from our side Peace Geroulanou with all worthy partners of the Foundation have already demonstrated practical interest for the protection and enhancement of this the house.

When she died by Patrick Leigh Fermor, say that the moments of Goodbye is anyway difficult. Being made ​​but still more difficult when they are leaving our own people. Friends who stood beside us in critical situations, we loved and our shortcomings. The Paddy had loved the Greeks and Greece. Greece, he chose to live and the Greeks to syngenepsei. From the Greeks and Greece also brought the the words of my prayer for good katefodio, but the certainty that departure would not be definitive. Why should remain Live traces the steps of Crete and the Peloponnese, Attiki and Roumeli. It will remain vivid narratives of books, the memories of those who lived close by, the historical deposits on the altars of liberty, the breezes of a fascinating personality.

The gratitude of the Benaki Museum in particular will, however, only be measured by the degree to fulfill the legacy and desires of the man who benefited. ”

Angel Delivorrias

Kardamili, September 17, 2011 “