Exhibition on the Olympic Ideal inaugurated at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens

The photographic exhibition on The Olympic Ideal and the Olympic Truce, 776 BC – 2024: 2,800 years of history, was inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26, at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Kotsiras, addressed the event.

The exhibition, which celebrates the history of the Olympic Games, highlighting their essential and timeless connection with the idea of the Olympic Truce, had already been presented at the Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Vienna and New York, and it will be open to the public at the Byzantine and Christian Museum until 31 December 2024.

The Olympic Ideal and the Olympic Truce, 776 BC – 2024: 2,800 years of history is an initiative of the 5th General Directorate of Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of its cultural diplomacy activities and the overall strategic planning for the promotion of the country’s image. The events in Geneva, Vienna and New York had been organized by the Permanent Missions of Greece to the United Nations.

The exhibition starts off from the antiquity, continues with the revival of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, through the 20th century and reaches the present day. Its aim is to highlight -once again, and especially in the current international context- the timeless and universal importance of the principles of Olympism and the Olympic Truce, which is based on the values of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights.

Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Kotsiras, highlighted the fundamental importance of the ideals of Olympism and the Olympic Truce for the promotion of international understanding, peace and security.

Greece, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026, will promote the timeless values of Olympism, “which are, after all, identical to the principles, values and mission of the United Nations”, noted Mr. Kotsiras, concluding that “in a time of instability, wars and uncertainty”, the Olympic Ideal and the Olympic Truce are “more relevant than ever”, as they unite us, sending a strong message of hope for peace and international cooperation.

TAGS: HERITAGE