On 4 June, four academic staff members from King’s contributed to a one-day symposium on the topic of the exhibition, to which Sir Roderick Beaton, Dr Rebecca Levitan, Dr Linday Allen, and I had contributed. The latter highlighted the personal as well as professional connections of Harold Nicolson, Vita Sackville-West, and the Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos. Horticulture and Hellenism afficionados joined us at the estate for a day of discussion and sightseeing.
Koraes Professor Gonda Van Steen
16 June 2026
Classics academics contribute to 'Sissinghurst and Greece' National Trust exhibition
For the first time, diplomat Harold Nicolson's role in the fortunes of post-war Greece takes centre stage in this exhibition at Sissinghurst.
The Centre for Hellenic Studies at King's is a co-sponsor of the special exhibition that opened at Sissinghurst Castle Garden on 18 October 2025, called ‘Passion and Politics: Sissinghurst and Greece’, which has been extended until 28 June 2026.
The exhibition highlighted the Greek connections of diplomat Harold Nicolson and his wife Vita Sackville-West. Untold stories, unseen photographs and personal mementoes shine a light on his life, work, and the inspirations behind the design of his iconic home at Sissinghurst