Efthymios Warlamis Exhibition

The Municipality of Aristotle, in collaboration with the Kunstmuseum Waldviertel and the Experimental Workshop of Vergina, has secured the permanent exhibition of the “Agion Oros” collection by Efthymios Warlamis. The renowned collection by the great Greek artist is housed in the Cultural Center of Ierissos since April of 2019. It is a multiform, experiential work, where the artist presents the Athos monastic state as he experienced it during his stay there.

The entire volume of Efthymios Warlamis’ work was founded on the timeless values of Ecumenical Hellenism and the Christian Orthodox faith. He was a very devout man and many of his works are of a spiritual and religious nature.

Agion Oros and the values it represents attracted Warlamis from his youth. He viewed it as the continuation and natural evolution of the great philosophical schools of Greek Antiquity, and as a living Ark of Hellenism and Orthodoxy. His collection was exhibited to great acclaim at the Thessaloniki Museum of Byzantine Culture (2008-2009), at the Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum (2010-2011), at the Basilica of Agios Markos in Crete (2013), at the European Parliament in Brussels (2013) and at the Kunstmuseum Waldviertel in Austria (2014).

Varlamis invites the viewer to wander through the Holy Mount. The monasteries are depicted not photographically, but realistically, and the special lighting of the works reveals an omnipresent spirituality. Visitors feel as though they are walking around the Mount Athos monasteries. At the end of the tour, visitors are invited to enter a closed room named “Entreaty of the Monks”. It is an installation that combines painting, lighting, and chanting. Upon entering the room, the visitor becomes privy to the sacrament and reverence of the ritual monastic entreaty.

Warlamis believed that we can learn much from the monastic life. Spirituality, faith, obedience, respect for the environment, discipline, frugality, are all values that define the Athonite State and can offer people support in the crises experienced in recent years.

The purpose of the exhibition is to demonstrate the value and significance of Agion Oros to all people, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, and religious affiliation.

Tuesday to Friday: 10.00-13.30

For more information, call +30 2377021121.