Celebrations in Italy

Are you in Italy and wanting to celebrate the European Pagan Memory Day (24th February)?
There are four public celebrations across the country:

Bologna: 24th february at 18:00 with the Associazione La Corte delle Fate, Via Turati, 48; further information: cortedellefate@gmail.com

Torino: 24th february at 18:30 in Piazza Solferino, next to the fountain; reservations at paganreading@yahoo.it

Rome: 25th february at 14:30, reservations at italus@live.it

Jesolo (Venice): 25th february at 16:00 in the Federazione Pagana's Sacred Wood, via Ca' Gamba 7ma traversa 3b, contact claudiosimeoni@libero.it

In memory of James Hillman

Yesterday, 85-years-old James Hillman died. The European Pagan Memory Day celebrates him by his own words in the hymn to Aphrodite, published in Aphrodite's justice, Capri, La Conchiglia, 2008:

So, Great Lady, whom I shall sometimes name in Greek as Aphrodite and sometimes in Latin as Venus, allow us to investigate your nature, not only for our human purposes, that we may find more love and beauty and pleasures in our lives, but further, for your purposes - that the strange compulsions and irresistible allures that emanate from your presence find their way more happily for you into this world that you fill with your sensuous being.

Too long, Great Lady, have you been conceived only as the Golden One, the Smiling One, as the Greeks called you, only the bringer of sweet temptation that transgresses the ethical order with little concern for justice. Those who follow your train and traffic with your gifts - poets, lovers, musicians, crafts persons and colorists of many tastes, and those who would make each moment in their day show a sign of Venus in manner, odor, decor, dress and speech, those who bring charm, sensuality, lightness of touch, frivolity even, and the madness of passion - have for too long been relegated in our civilization to a lesser, trivial place, neither serious nor moral.
Not withou trepidation do I invoke your presence at the outset, for history shows that turning directly to you ends often in disaster. Think of Paris who chose you above Athene and Hera: think of the consequences - Troy in ruins, the heroes dead, the ensuing murders, the tragedies. Think of Anchises, who enjoyed your favors only to be disfigured and struck by thunder. Of Dido, one of your favorites, Queen of Carthage, and the misery she suffered, even in the Underworld long after her life on earth had passed, still tormented by the desertion of Aeneas who had set his sails for Latium; and of Phaedre, driven crazy by her illicit love for her stepson, Hippolytus. Think of our own lives: how we have each been made mad by an Aphroditic infusion: become liars, cheats, insane with jealousies, vain, inflated, manic, and cruel.
Great Lady, be kind to us today.

Persecutions in Alexandria

A new page has been published on European Pagan Memory Day website, about persecutions of Pagans in Late Antiquity Alexandria (4th-5th century). Hypatia's murder is only the most known fact of the period: many bloody others happened for more than a century. Discover them here (though the page is still only in Italian; translation coming soon).

Death of Georges Dumézil

25 years ago Georges Dumézil died in Paris. Modern Pagans know his theories about Indoeuropean mythology and religions (especially Roman and German ones); he can't be called a Pagan, unlike other scholars who dealt with ancient religions, but for sure his studies and theories, though controversial, gave a contribute to modern paganism. We'll talk about him again on EPMD's site.

Website renewed

After a couple of months work, the European Pagan Memory Day website is online with a new layout. Please report us on this blog or writing at info@giornopaganomemoria.it any problem or broken link and tell us what you think about it!

Podcasts are back

A new episode of the podcast "Ritorno ad Alessandria" (back to Alexandria) is finally available after the long, long break. Find it on our website; this time we talk about the future development of the project. The podcast is in Italian only; as some of you may remember, we deleted the English version of our podcast Fontes due to lack of listeners. If you would like an English version of our podcasts again, please make your claim and let us know!

The Altar of the twelve Gods is in danger

The Altar of the twelve Gods, the centre of the Ancient Athens is in risk of being buried under the works for the renovation of the railway. The railway was built unwittingly on the Altar at the end of the 19th century, before the beginning of the excavation of the Agora. When the excavation started, in the Thirties of 20th century, a piece of the Altar was discovered and remained visible until now. This year, the works for the railway have brought to light the rest of the altar, but the company refuses to move the tracks in favour of this great religious and archaeological discovery, and wants to bury the altar once again, and this time probably forever. We received this plea from the Greek Pagans' (ethnikoi hellenes) association Thyrsos:

Dear Visitor of Athens

Right here, where you walk, on the railways near the train station of Thiseion,a really priceless discovery was made. A unique masterpiece of our Ancient History, the center of Athens on the Ancient years, the Great Altar of the 12 Gods. It is one of the most important monuments ever been found in whole Hellas. Knowing your interest and your love for the Hellenic Culture we kindly request for your assistance. At the moment, the railway company wants to bury the altar under sand and heavy iron on the basis of the totally outrageous argument that they are “losing money” because of the delay of the constructions on the underground railway network. They claim that it doesn’t worth the “trouble” to alter the rails' route,whilst ignoring the Archaeologists’ viable proposals to uncover the altar and make it accessible to the public. To save this Altar is for us a reason to fight and defend our Sacred Heritage, a heritage that the Hellenic State doesn’t seem to be interested of. This Altar is of great importance for thousands of Hellenes not only for its Historical Value! There are many followers of the Ancient Hellenic Religion who see their Sacred and Alive monument being destroyed as the State just ignores their pleas.

How can the Hellenic State be claiming the return of the Sculptures of our Sacred Parthenon when this very State, destroys virtually every trace of Antiquity that is discovered - just because it doesn’t fit on their business plan? How can they claim the respect of the globe, when themselves they do not respect their own country's History?
Please help us to save our Sacred Heritage! It is very easy; just send an email both to the railway company (I.S.A.P.) and to the Ministry of “Culture” with some words in defence of the Altar and against its destruction plan.

Unite your voice with us and spread the word all over. The Hellenic Civilization worths more than their profits!

YOU CAN HELP!

Thank you in advance.

The email of the railway company: pro@isap.gr
The email of the Ministry of Culture: grplk@culture.gr

Thyrsos - Hellenes Ethnikoi
For the research, study and spread of the Ancient Hellenic Culture
www.thyrsos.gr

There is also on online petition you can sign. Since the importance for all western pagans, please spread the voice!