Today is International Museum Day – a special opportunity for us to marvel (online this year) at all the wonders of history, art, technology, and science found in museums around the world. From dinosaurs and prehistoric tools to ancient art and relics from wars of interdependence, to modern scientific discoveries and space exploration, museums educate and inspire kids and adults alike.
Proud to be Greek
On this day we also take special pride in the legacy of Hellenism shining bright in museums throughout the world, not only in the Greek artifacts on display, but all cultures, civilizations, and scientific fields where Greek thought, imagination, and emotion are evident.
Inspiration for kids
Kids find a sense of wonder in museums whether they are interested in art, mechanics, mythology, or archaeology. In Athens alone, numerous incredible museums offer children the opportunity to “time travel” to prehistoric Greece, Ancient Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and the era of the New Greek State. A single item could ignite a child’s curiosity and imagination, be it the striking Gold Mask of Agamemnon, the majestic Parthenon sculptures depicting gods and goddesses, or the phenomenal Antikythera mechanism – the world’s first computer! Kids are astonished to find out that it was built around 2120 to 2170 years ago!
Universal appeal of Greek mythology
It is no secret kids all over the world, Greek and non-Greek alike, love Greek mythology. Museums offer kids the chance to see Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Hades, Hermes, Heracles, and all the other gods, heroes, and monsters they love to read about. This is why our core learning feature, the Learning Path, is adorned by award-winning illustrations of Greek Mythology. It also inspired us to create one of our most popular games to date – Heroes and Monsters!
Living legacy
Another immense sense of joy for children and adults is when we look at an ancient artifact inscribed in Greek. As we recognize the letters, words, and names of people who lived thousands of years before us, we are overwhelmed by a humbling and elevating feeling. That is because we know we carry the legacy of the ingenious people who went on to create the most astounding and advanced civilization to give birth to the modern world.
Check out alphabet bubbles, a summer-themed game to learn Greek letters.
Parthenon Marbles
In closing, on this day especially, we need to mention that we, like all Greeks, philhellenes, and observers wishing justice, harbor the desire to see the Parthenon Marbles united in their entirety in their native land under the Greek sky at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
images: wiki commons
