History of the Hardt Foundation

The Hardt Foundation in August.

Since its establishment in 1949, the Hardt Foundation has welcomed numerous researchers from all over the world, providing them with an idyllic setting for their research into Classical Antiquity. Following the death of Baron Kurd von Hardt in 1958, a succession of prominent figures have carried on the work of the Hardt Foundation.
In statistical terms, the Hardt Foundation welcomes an average of 140 guests from around 20 countries each year. Since 1952, more than 70 Entretiens have been held and an equal number of volumes published.

A few dates

1950

The beginning of the adventure

Start of the Hardt Foundation’s activities in the study of Classical Antiquity.

1952

The First Entretiens

The first Entretiens, entitled "La notion du divin depuis Homère jusqu’à Platon", took place in 1952, and the volume was published two years later, in 1954.

Participants at the 5th Entretiens, August 1957.

1958

Baron's Death

Death of Baron Kurd von Hardt. Olivier Reverdin, Professor of Ancient Greek at the University of Geneva, takes his succession as President of the Foundation.

1996

Financial Difficulties

François Paschoud, Professor of Latin at the University of Geneva, became president of the Foundation. During his presidency, he did everything in his power to keep the Foundation afloat.

2003

Foundation Rescue

Margarethe Billerbeck, Professor of Classical Philology at the University of Fribourg, stands against the sale of the Foundation and is elected interim president of the Foundation. Fundraising.

The Foundation’s living room, in the Baron’s day.

2005

Between tradition and renewal

Pierre Ducrey, Professor of Ancient History at the University of Lausanne, became president of the Foundation and secured the funding needed to restore the Hardt Foundation.

2022

Reaching out to the community

Guillaume Pictet, of Pury Pictet Turrettini & Cie S.A., is elected president of the Foundation. Jean Terrier, former cantonal archaeologist in Geneva and Professor at the University of Geneva, is elected director. Together, they work to make the Foundation more accessible to the wider community and to young people.

1950

The beginning of the adventure

Start of the Hardt Foundation’s activities in the study of Classical Antiquity.

1952

The First Entretiens

The first Entretiens, entitled "La notion du divin depuis Homère jusqu’à Platon", took place in 1952, and the volume was published two years later, in 1954.

Participants at the 5th Entretiens, August 1957.

1958

Baron's Death

Death of Baron Kurd von Hardt. Olivier Reverdin, Professor of Ancient Greek at the University of Geneva, takes his succession as President of the Foundation.

1996

Financial Difficulties

François Paschoud, Professor of Latin at the University of Geneva, became president of the Foundation. During his presidency, he did everything in his power to keep the Foundation afloat.

2003

Foundation Rescue

Margarethe Billerbeck, Professor of Classical Philology at the University of Fribourg, stands against the sale of the Foundation and is elected interim president of the Foundation. Fundraising.

The Foundation’s living room, in the Baron’s day.

2005

Between tradition and renewal

Pierre Ducrey, Professor of Ancient History at the University of Lausanne, became president of the Foundation and secured the funding needed to restore the Hardt Foundation.

2022

Reaching out to the community

1950

The beginning of the adventure

Start of the Hardt Foundation’s activities in the study of Classical Antiquity.

1952

The First Entretiens

The first Entretiens, entitled "La notion du divin depuis Homère jusqu’à Platon", took place in 1952, and the volume was published two years later, in 1954.

Participants at the 5th Entretiens, August 1957.

1958

Baron's Death

Death of Baron Kurd von Hardt. Olivier Reverdin, Professor of Ancient Greek at the University of Geneva, takes his succession as President of the Foundation.

1996

Financial Difficulties

François Paschoud, Professor of Latin at the University of Geneva, became president of the Foundation. During his presidency, he did everything in his power to keep the Foundation afloat.

2003

Foundation Rescue

Margarethe Billerbeck, Professor of Classical Philology at the University of Fribourg, stands against the sale of the Foundation and is elected interim president of the Foundation. Fundraising.

The Foundation’s living room, in the Baron’s day.

2005

Between tradition and renewal

Pierre Ducrey, Professor of Ancient History at the University of Lausanne, became president of the Foundation and secured the funding needed to restore the Hardt Foundation.

2022

History of the Hardt Foundation

A few dates

The beginning of the adventure

The First Entretiens

Baron's Death

Financial Difficulties

Foundation Rescue

Between tradition and renewal

Reaching out to the community

The beginning of the adventure

The First Entretiens

Baron's Death

Financial Difficulties

Foundation Rescue

Between tradition and renewal

Reaching out to the community

The beginning of the adventure

The First Entretiens

Baron's Death

Financial Difficulties

Foundation Rescue

Between tradition and renewal

Reaching out to the community

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