Wednesday 25 November 2026, at 19:30
‘Constantine Leventis’ Auditorium, A. G. Leventis Gallery
35th Annual Lecture in Memory of Constantine Leventis
‘Greek Scholar–Physicians (15th-19th Centuries)’
The A. G. Leventis Foundation, the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia and the A. G. Leventis Gallery are organising the 35th Annual Lecture in Memory of Constantine Leventis,* entitled ‘Greek Scholar–Physicians (15th-19th Centuries)’, with Dr Georgios Laganas, neurologist, psychiatrist and philologist, as the guest speaker.
The lecture will explore a lesser-known aspect of the work and lives of significant figures whose names are widely recognised primarily for their presence and contribution to literature, the arts, the sciences and politics. More specifically, it focusses on figures of European renown who had studied medicine and distinguished themselves as physicians, although this dimension of their careers gradually became marginalised, was abandoned or was overshadowed by their broader intellectual and creative achievements.
Particular emphasis will be placed on Greek physicians and scholars of earlier periods, from the 15th century to the 19th, who lived and worked at a time when access to knowledge and learning did not offer the opportunities and conveniences available today.
Through the presentation of these figures, the lecture will highlight a less familiar facet of their lives and careers: their medical education and practice, alongside the intellectual, artistic, scientific or political contributions for which they became better known.
The speaker
Dr Georgios Laganas is a retired military physician, neurologist, psychiatrist and philologist. During his military career he served in Cyprus and was Director of Healthcare of the National Guard during the 1980s.
Alongside his medical career, he developed a particular interest in philology, history and antiquarian books. Together with his wife, Markisia Laganas, also a physician, he spent many years building a significant collection of old and rare books and other documentary material, which they donated in 2021 to the University of Cyprus Library. In 2026 Georgios and Markisia Laganas entered into an agreement with the A. G. Leventis Foundation for the future donation of their collection, comprised of paintings, drawings and prints.
On the occasion of the 35th Annual Lecture in Memory of Constantinos Leventis, the A. G. Leventis Gallery will also present its new publication, The Georgios and Markisia Laganas Art Collection: A Donation to the A. G. Leventis Gallery. The book presents the Laganas Art Collection, which includes works by Greek artists, and highlights the collectors’ generous decision to donate their collection to the A. G. Leventis Gallery in the future.
The lecture will be delivered in Greek | Reservations required | Limited availability
The Auditorium doors will close at 19.40, and members of the public are kindly requested to arrive on time.
*The annual lectures and events have been dedicated to the memory of Constantine Leventis since 2002.
For more information & reservations:
| +357 22 668838 (Monday-Friday, 09.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.30)
| rsvp@leventisgallery.org
