Mysteries of Flourishing: Ancient Routes – Modern Blossoms
Mystery 299 2nd New Eleusis Symposion took place with great success, from 25 to 27 September at the former IRIS paint factory. The symposion focused on the term of “Eudaimonia” in the modern world.
2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, in collaboration with World Human Forum, organized the event Mystery 299 2nd New Eleusis Symposion. From 25 to 27 September, this three-day symposium brought together distinguished scientists, thinkers, artists, academics, civil society representatives, and active citizens from various parts of the world. The goal was to investigate aspects of “Eudaimonia” in the modern world and to discuss practices that could help reinvent it on both an individual and collective level.
The influential discussions and workshops featured, among others, the participation of Anthony Bossis– clinical psychologist and professor of psychiatry at New York University School of Medicine, Chiara Baldini– researcher of the evolution of ecstatic practices in the West, from primitive culture to modern electronic music, John Havens– Executive Director of the IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, Michael Marmarinos– director and biologist, artistic director of 2023 Eleusis, Phil Cousineau– author, filmmaker, and comparative mythology researcher and Alexandra Mitsotaki– president and co-founder of the World Human Forum.
One of the highlights of the Symposion was the presentation of the project “Mystery 196 Ba Wang Bian – Ancestral Dialogues” which was hosted, on 25 September at the Amphitheatre of the Old Oil Mill Factory in Elefsina. The choreographer and performer Maya Jilan Dong has dedicated her work to bringing renewed attention to these fading stars. The production was curated by Farooq Chaudhry.
The Symposion was culminated with the screening of the film of the iconic performance/concert “Mystery 14 Human Requiem in Eleusis” part of the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, directed by German director Jochen Sandig and choreographed by Sasha Waltz, featuring the 65-member choir Rundfunkchor Berlin.
