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The contribution of the Literary Society "Parnassos" in the revival of Olympic Games in Greece (1896, 1906)

• Καλαμάκης, Διονύσιος Χ.

In November, 1894, in the Central Hall of the Literary Society «Pamassos», Baron Pierre de Coubertin delivers a speech on the «International Olympic Games» in support of Greece’s effort to organize the Olympic Games of 1896. In 1896, Heir Constantine includes Nikolaos Politis, then president of «Pamassos», in the Olympic Games National Committee. In February of the same year, the Olympic Anthem, composed by Spyros Samaras, is performed for the first time at «Pamassos». In 1897, Spyridon Lambros, one of the cofounders of «Pamassos» is elected president of the Association of Greek Athletic Clubs, and in 1901 becomes a member of the Committee for the Intermediate Olympics, organized by Greece in 1906. On January the 22nd, 1906, «Pamassos» welcomes, as a honorary member, the Italian deputy, senator and professor Augusto Pierantoni, who delivers a speech on «The contribution of Hellenism in the History of civilization and the future of Olympic Games». All these instances clearly show that the contribution of «Pamassos» in the revival of Olympic spirit and ideals in the turn of the 20th century was of paramount importance.

• History and Archaeology

• Ιστορία