The growing appreciation of museums as custodians of history, culture, and diplomacy is more evident than ever. This sentiment was underscored by a leading expert on museums, Mrs. Lila de Chaves-Chronopoulos, President of the Stratis Eleftheriadis–Tériade Museum-Library and President of H&M Heritage and Museums-Athens-Paris-New York, an internationally recognized figure in the museum world, who was the first to introduce the term “Cultural Diplomacy” at the European Parliament office in Athens.
The Tériade Museum-Library has long played a crucial role in seeding cosmopolitanism throughout the world, promoting the Greek culture as a universal, a connective web toward the search for common origins and historical ties between countries.
A recent testament to the powerful connection between museums and society was the visit of ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from European countries to Lesvos and the Stratis Eleftheriadis–Tériade Museum-Library.
Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens, within the framework of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the visit brought the EU Heads of Missions (HoMs) to the island of Lesvos. On Friday, April 4, 2025, delegates from 21 EU Member States, as well as from Norway, Switzerland, and the European Commission, were welcomed to the museum on behalf of Mrs. de Chaves-Chronopoulos by Mr. Kostas Maniatopoulos and Mrs. Sofia Baroutsaki-Cirigoti, member of the Museum’s Board of Directors and Honorary Consul of France for Lesvos and Lemnos.
For many diplomats, the visit proved to be a revelation. They discovered the museum’s unique artistic and cultural wealth, a vivid expression of the vision of Stratis Eleftheriadis–Tériade from Mytilene. The museum stands as a bridge between Greek, French, and wider European culture, highlighting Tériade’s role in promoting contemporary French art and its resonance across Europe.
A true cultural gem of Lesvos, the Stratis Eleftheriadis–Tériade Museum-Library houses an extraordinary collection of original works by some of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. It also preserves a comprehensive archive of rare editions, which remain highly valued in both the global art market and major modern art museums. The museum frequently hosts landmark exhibitions dedicated to Tériade’s publications—such as Verve—attracting art enthusiasts from around the world.
The ambassadors were particularly impressed by the museum’s stunning collection of paintings and prints by globally acclaimed artists. Among the treasures on display are issues of the groundbreaking journal Verve, an iconic series of Artist’s Books, and rare photo albums. Verve pioneered a dialogue between visual art and literature, bringing together great minds like Paul Claudel, Paul Valéry, and André Gide, along with master artists including Matisse, Picasso, Braque, Rouault, Giacometti, Bonnard, Miró, Klee, and Chagall.
Notably, in 1952 and 1954, several of these artists visited Greece, inspired by Tériade’s descriptions of the country’s radiant light, clear skies, and vivid landscapes—elements that deeply influenced their creative work.
Ambassador Mrs. Laurence Auer expressed her admiration for the Tériade Museum and her commitment to enhancing cultural collaboration between France and Lesvos. She pledged her support for future initiatives aimed at raising the museum’s international profile through new artistic, cultural, and educational programs. This marks an exciting new chapter in Greek-French cultural relations, affirming the Stratis Eleftheriadis–Tériade Museum-Library as a vital part of Europe’s shared cultural heritage.
