The event entitled “The Parthenon’s Expatriate Goddesses” (Ξενιτεμένες Θεές του Παρθενώνα) by the Acropolis Museum and the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation was completed with great success. The event took place on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, in the presence of H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
The evening culminated with excerpts from the musical performance entitled “Fragments of Silence” (Των Σιωπηλών Σπαράγματα), based on lyrical narrations or songs by unknown female poets of the Ancient World, with music by Lena Platonos and adaptation to Modern Greek by Thanos Tsaknakis. Interpreted by Maria Farantouri and narrated by Maria Skoula. The work will be presented in its complete form on the full moon of July 13, 2022, at the Archaeological Site of Elefsina, in the framework of the artistic program of 2023 ΕΛΕVΣΙΣ European Capital of Culture.
In the framework of the event “The Parthenon’s Expatriate Goddesses,” held in the Parthenon Gallery under the light of the Acropolis, with leading British art historian Dr. Tom Flynn as keynote speaker, a global message was sent about the urgent need to return the Parthenon Marbles, but also the need to return to the Values that this Monument symbolizes: Democracy, Equality and Solidarity.
The event was attended by—among others—the Director of the Acropolis Museum, Prof. Dimitris Padermalis, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the First Lady of Cyprus, Andri Anastasiades, the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Maria Syrengela, representing the Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, Marianna V. Vardinoyannis and the Director-General of the Acropolis Museum, Prof. Nikolaos Stampolidis. The Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, delivered a written address. 2023 ΕΛΕVΣΙΣ European Capital of Culture was represented by the Chair of the Board of Directors, Despina Geroulanou, the CEO, Nana Spyropoulou and the General Artistic Director, Michail Marmarinos. The event was coordinated by Katerina Didaskalou.
