The exhibition "Odysseys" of the National Archeological Museum of, is extended until Sunda

"Odysseies" | 03/10/2016 - 25/03/2018 - National Archeological Museum

"Odysseys", the anniversary exhibition of the National Archaeological Museum for 150 years since its founding, deleted a year of successful journey, traveling thousands of visitors to the adventures of known and unknown people, their creative struggle, the traces of their collective effort for growth and prosperity, to top achievements of the spirit.

From October 3, 2016, when the "Odysseys" Exhibition was inaugurated until September 27, 2017, the highest number of visitors in recent years was recorded in the museum. 538,643 people visited the exhibition, marking a 24% increase in the number of visitors compared to the corresponding period of 2015-16.

Responding to the warm response of the public, it was decided to extend the exhibition until Sunday 25 March 2018.

The exhibition "Odysseys" of the National Archaeological Museum, was the main commemorative event on the occasion of the 150th anniversary since the foundation of the Museum. It attempts to give an account of the adventurous journey of man through time considered from an abstract and symbolic perspective that draws its inspiration from the Homeric Odyssey. Without reciting the mythological epic of Homer the exhibition is inspired by the archetypal character of Odysseus and recounts through the emblematic, as well as the lesser-known ancient works of the National Archaeological Museum, the long chronicle of the beleaguered man, his incessant endeavour to tame his environment, conquer new places, broaden his horizons, establish well-governed societies and fight against the perishable nature of his existence with the aid of love and creative act. One hundred and eighty-four works that come either from the permanent exhibition or the rich in archaeological material storerooms of the Museum's Collections and six loans, three from the Epigraphic Museum and three from the Acropolis Museum, are presented in an enchanting sequence of cultural stratification, enabling the visitor to discern the differentiations and changes and simultaneously detect those elements that reside and remain unaffected in time and constitute the shared imprint which man has left on the centuries, the ages and the civilizations. The interpretation of the ancient works through the symbolically charged poetry of C. P. Cavafy, G. Seferis, O. Elytis and Y. Ritsos imparts to the exhibits perhaps the most astute and exciting meaning, setting simultaneously a bridge with today through the modern poetic language. The audio-visual and digital applications of the exhibition denote in a discreet manner all these notional connections. Three thematic axes run through the exhibition narrative: THE JOURNEY presents tangible evidence of the ceaseless quest of man for raw materials, knowledge and ideas. Τhe variegated cargo of a conceptual ship and the myths that accompanied the sea journeys of ancient people create an allusive environment of adventure and knowledge. ITHACAS are inspired by the homecoming (nostos) of Odysseus and devoted to the homelands of all people. Ecumenical ideas and concepts are exemplified by works that embody the collective effort of societies to ensure development and prosperity, as well as the urge of human existence to defy its perishability. In the EXODUS, ancient creations symbolically demarcate great achievements of the human mind and spirit inviting each one of us to pick up the torch of creativity. The music for the exhibition is by courtesy of Vangelis Papathanassiou from his works "Ithaca" and "VOICES - Dream in an Οpen Place". The Eugenides Foundation offered the equipment and the application of the starry sky that Odysseus was looking at on his return to Ithaca from the island of Kalypso, while the National Theatre provided the theatrical costume of "Oedipus the King". Both of these offers contribute to the enhancement of the visitor's experience in the relevant exhibition parts. The Museum's permanent exhibitions also participate in the «Odysseys» and the grant festivity they signify, by means of object stops at emblematic antiquities, designed to involve the visitor in tracing notional connections with the thematic aspects of the temporary exhibition. For the realisation of the exhibition of uppermost importance has been the generous donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.