The exhibition “Open Horizons. Ancient Greek travel and contacts”, a product of creative synergy between the National Archaeological Museum and the Melbourne Museum, under the auspices of the Department of Culture and Sport and the Museums of Victoria Australia, will be hosted from 23 April to 14 August 2022, at the Melbourne Museum, Australia. The exhibition will be inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Culture and Sport, Lina Mendoni.

“Throughout all periods of history, from antiquity to the present day, Greeks have travelled to every corner of the world following and exploring the open horizons of the seas. The elements they brought, wherever they arrived, are cosmopolitanism and extroversion, together with the ability to adapt, to creatively exploit foreign influences. These integral elements of Greek culture are carried by Greeks around the world, and by the Greeks of Australia,” the Minister of Culture and Sport said. “The exhibition “Open Horizons. Ancient Greek travel and contacts” is a due tribute both to the numerous Greek community of Melbourne and Australia, which for decades has maintained a strong Greek spirit despite the great distance from the homeland, and to Australia, a great country, which has welcomed them with hospitality and generosity“, Lina Mendoni stressed.

Μαρμάρινο άγαλμα σφίγγας, από τα Σπάτα, Αττικής. 560–550 π.Χ. ΕΑΜ, Γ 28. © Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο/© Ελ. Γαλανόπουλος / Marble statue of a sphinx, from Spata, Attica. 560-550 BC. © National Archaeological Museum/© El. El. Galanopoulos

Through 44 emblematic works of art from the largest museum in Greece, covering a period of four millennia, the visitor navigates to new seas of ancient Greek history. The thread running through the exhibition is how travel and contact with other peoples and cultures stimulated the spirit and influenced ancient Greek life. The exhibits illustrate both the Greek commercial diaspora and the war turmoil, the flourishing Greek colonies and foreign colonies in Greece, domestic religious beliefs and the incorporation of new cultic elements. It is a pendulum that perpetually moves between the ancient Greek temperament and formative experiences through communication. Through osmosis, the particular cultural identity of the ancient Greek world emerged.

Αττικός ερυθρόμορφος κιονωτός κρατήρας με παράσταση Ηρακλή που επιτίθεται στο Βούσιρι, βασιλιά της Αιγύπτου. Γύρω στα 470 π.Χ. EAM, A 19568. © Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο/© Ελ. Γαλανόπουλος/ Attic red-figure columnar crater with a representation of Hercules attacking Busiri, king of Egypt. Circa 470 BC. EAM, A 19568. © National Archaeological Museum/© El. Galanopoulos

Today, Australia is home to one of the largest Greek communities in the world. The Victoria Region is considered the core of the Greek-Australian community. People’s constant need to travel and explore will never cease. It is and always will be an experience for the open horizons of the mind and soul.

Αμφιπρόσωπος κάνθαρος στο οποίο αντιπαραβάλλονται ένα ερυθροβαφές πρόσωπο λευκής γυναίκας και πρόσωπο Αιθιόπισσας, που αποδίδεται με γυαλιστερό μαύρο γάνωμα. Γύρω στο 490 π.Χ. ΕΑΜ, Α 2056. © Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο/© Ελ. Γαλανόπουλος / Amphipersoncantharos in which a reddish-brown face of a white woman and the face of an Ethiopian woman, rendered in a glossy black glaze, are juxtaposed. Around 490 BC. EAM, A 2056. © National Archaeological Museum/© El. Galanopoulos

For more information about the temporary exhibition “Open Horizons. Ancient Greek travel and contacts” you can visit the website of the National Archaeological Museum (namuseum.gr) and the Museums of Victoria (https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/open-horizons/).