The Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Democracy, in honour of the anniversary of the convening of the First National Assembly at Epidaurus, organizes a lecture by Professor Emeritus of the University of Athens, Mr. Nikos Alivizatos, on the topic “An intelligent but hard to implement Constitution” on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 19:00, in the Senate Hall of the Hellenic Parliament. The event will be addressed by Mr. Konstantinos An. Tasoulas, President of the Hellenic Parliament and President of the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Democracy, as well as Mr. Tasos Chronis, Mayor of Epidaurus.

The First National Assembly of Epidaurus (20 December 1821 – 15 January 1822) was a key event in the development of the Greek Revolution. For the first time, representatives from most of the rebellious regions gathered in one place, ‘caring only for the common interest of Greece’ (from the oath of the delegates at Epidaurus, 20 December 1821).

Within a period of 26 days, the 59 proxies and their advisers performed a task of capital importance for the interests of the Revolution and the Greek state under formation. They drafted and voted for the first Constitution, the Provisional Constitution of Greece (1 January 1822), published the great Declaration of the National Assembly (15 January 1822), elected the persons who would form the central administration of the state and defined its military structure.

The Constitution of Epidaurus failed to provide the revolutionaries with the conditions of stability they needed. However, its value was
long-term. This first Charter marked the beginning of the apprenticeship of the old rajahs, now citizens, in the principles of the Rule of Law. At a time when few states in the world had written constitutions, the Greek revolutionaries were becoming the apostles of a new era that was emerging, that of nation states, civil rights and democracy.

More Information:
https://foundation.parliament.gr/