Petros Themellis honored with documentary screening in Messene

As part of the Messene Encounters 2026 festival, a special event will be held at the Messene Park Amphitheatre to honor the memory and work of the late archaeologist Petros Themellis. The evening will feature the screening of the award-winning documentary ‘I Touched... I Loved... I Excavated’ (Άγγιξα... Αγάπησα... Έσκαψα), directed by Babis Tsokas.

The documentary, produced by the ‘Diazoma’ Association and funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, provides a cinematic portrait of Themellis. It explores his scientific journey and his vision of culture as a force for social progress. Through archival footage, testimonies from colleagues, and scenes from the excavation site at Ancient Messene, the film highlights his lifelong dedication to protecting and promoting Greek cultural heritage.

The screening serves as the concluding event of the festival, celebrating the man responsible for transforming Ancient Messene into one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.