News and Announcements

In 1996 Patrick and Joan Leigh Fermor donated their house in Kardamyli to the Benaki Museum with the intention that the house’s ownership would pass on to the Museum after their death. This particular choice had been suggested to them by their dear friend Tzannis Tzannetakis, an idea, wholeheartedly received given the history of the Museum and Fermor’s old friendship with its founder Antonis Benakis and his daughter Irini Kalliga. In the Donation Contract, Fermor appointed Tzannis Tzannetakis and the lawyer Antonis Masouridis as supervisors for the fulfillment of the terms of the donation. The Museum acquired full ownership of the property after the donor's death in the fall of 2011 and since then has been closely collaborating with Tzannetakis' children, Mrs. Tonia Tzannetakis and Mr. Petros Tzannetakis. According to the expressed desire of the Fermors and the donation Contract, the house can be used to host intellectuals and scholars (writers, researchers, artists, poets, etc) who are looking for a quiet and hospitable place to work. In order to cover the operating expenses of the house, the Benaki Museum also has the right to lease the property for a period of three months per year.