Music: The Gift of the Gods, the Language of Paideia
In ancient Greece, music was a way of life, not just a form of art; an essential element of paideia, of moral and intellectual education, and of cultivated thought. It was present in every sphere of human activity: in religious festivals, in the theatre, in athletic contests, even in battle and at symposia. Music accompanied and […]
Classics: The heartbeat of our Humanity
by Eugenia Manolidou Undoubtedly, we are living in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Machines now perform tasks once believed to belong exclusively to human hands and minds. In recent years, it has become almost fashionable to question the place of the Humanities – Classics, Philosophy, Literature, History, Art – in this new […]
Classical Greek as Universal Heritage
by Eugenia Manolidou Χαίρετε πᾶσαί τε καὶ πάντες! Ὡς εὖ παρέστητε ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ καλλίστῃ καὶ σπουδαιοτάτῃ συνόδῳ ἐν Δελφοῖς, ἐν τῷ τῆς ὑφηλίου ὀμφαλῷ. With these words in Ancient Greek, we opened Delphi Classics – Classics in Praxis 2025, a dynamic section of the Delphi Economic Forum established in 2022. Its mission is to […]
Anthesteria and the Greek Carnival: A Timeless Tradition
by Eugenia Manolidou The Greek Carnival, with its disguises, satirical songs, and Dionysian celebrations, has roots that go deep into history. The festival of Anthesteria, the Eleusinian Mysteries, and the worship of Dionysus shaped the carnival traditions that have survived to this day and are part of a long series of festivals and customs that […]
Ancient Greek Customs: The Carols of Spring and the March bracelet
by Eugenia Manolidou The “Swallow Songs’“ and “Martis” (March bracelet) are two of the most characteristic spring customs in Greek folk culture, with roots dating back to antiquity. The Swallow Songs are known as the “Spring Carols,” songs sung by children on March 1st to welcome spring and the swallows. “Martis” is a bracelet made […]
Classical Education in Greek Schools: A Symposium at the Academy of Athens
by Eugenia Manolidou The World Greek Language Day was established in 2017 by Professor Giorgos Korinthios to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Dionysios Solomos on February 9th. This day was instituted to honor the Greek language as a cultural treasure and a pillar of civilization, thought, and history in the Western world. […]
Isaac Newton’s Guide to Ancient Greek
by Eugenia Manolidou I just read the article about Isaac Newton and his unknown notes in Greek. Newton, known for his contributions to science, had the ability to record his observations in the Greek language, a fact that demonstrates the importance of knowledge of classical languages at the time (Proto Thema, 2024). This may impress […]
Koine Greek
The Language That Conquered the World
Our Method
Innovative Approaches to teaching Ancient Greek: The experiential Method of Elliniki Agogi Learning Ancient Greek is often perceived as an arduous task, especially when taught through methods emphasizing rote memorization and grammar rules. However, for modern Greek speakers, particularly elementary school students, the journey to mastering Hellenistic Koine Greek can be surprisingly intuitive and rewarding. […]
The Fragile Future of Timeless Texts – Defending the Classics Against Disruption
by Eugenia Manolidou I recently read an article about the University of Exeter’s decision to include trigger warnings for students studying Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. These warnings alert students to potentially “distressing” themes like infant mortality, sexual violence, and warfare. While the intention may be to shield students from discomfort, it left me questioning whether […]