Two exhibitions of ancient technology in Athens and Beijing
To celebrate the Year of Greek-Chinese Friendship, there will be an exchange of exhibitions between the Museum Herakleidon in Athens and the China Museum of Science and Technology (CMST) in Beijing. The Museum Herakleidon will present in both its buildings (16 Herakleidon and 37 Ap. Pavlou, Thissio), the exhibition Ancient Chinese Science and Technology of the CMST from September 2017 through January 2018.
Meanwhile, the CMST in Beijing will host, from October 2017 through March 2018, the exhibition EUREKA. Science, Art and Technology of the Ancient Greeks, organized by the Museum Herakleidon in collaboration with the Association of Ancient Greek Technology Studies (AAGTS) and with Mr. Theodosis P. Tasios, professor emeritus of the National Technical University of Athens, President of AAGTS, as scientific consultant. The exhibition Ancient Chinese Science and Technology will introduce to the Greek public for the first time some of the remarkable technological achievements of the Chinese civilization, which is one of the most ancient. These achievements cover a broad scientific spectrum, from astronomy and navigation to weaving techniques, papermaking, printing, seismography, et al., and will be presented through the models of a variety of inventions. Moreover, visitors will have the unique opportunity to watch demonstrations of ancient Chinese weaving techniques, traditional methods of papermaking and printing, and others.
The exhibition EUREKA. Science, Art and Technology of the Ancient Greeks will present for the first time at the CMST in Beijing the most representative of the ancient Greek technological accomplishments in areas such as shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, communications, building, the arts, and others, through original models and visual materials. Significant among the exhibits will be the operational reproduction of the Antikythera Mechanism, at triple the size of the original, made of plexiglass, bronze and aluminum, which will be constructed specifically for the Museum Herakleidon, in collaboration with the research team of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the scientific counsel of professors Dr. Kyriakos Efstathios and Dr. John Seiradakis. Furthermore, the exhibition will include two reproductions of historical ancientGreek shipwrecks, courtesy of the Museum of Navigation and Marine Arts of the Aegean and the Municipality of Samos. The exchange of the two exhibitions aims to strengthen the ties between the two nations through the mutual discovery and showcasing of the important cultural heritage of each. It is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religion/Department of Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Sports. and the Greek-Chinese Chamber.
Paul Firos, Founder of the Museum Herakleidon said: “Few have the privilege to welcome so many prominent members of the political, cultural and media world of Athens under one roof. The Herakleidon Museum, and its entire staff, is honored to be a key supporter of the celebration of the Year of Friendship between the People’s Republic of China and Greece. We are graced by your presence and we thank you for your active participation. There are many aspects one can evoke in a celebration, however the cultural ties are always the first and the most important ones, because we must appreciate each other before we conduct any other business. And we do appreciate each other when we recognize the enormous contribution of our civilizations. Both our civilizations have defined the evolution of Humanity in their respective world. The Chinese civilization influenced the entire Asian continent and the Greek civilization defined what we refer to today as the Western civilization.”
PHOTO: Studio Panoulis [Paul Firos, Founder, Museum Herakleidon]
