Translated with AI
Athens is turning to the past to find answers to the challenges of the future. The opening ceremony of the Second World Conference on Classical Studies brought together scholars and experts from around the world.
Ancient civilizations must not remain locked in history books. This call was made at the opening of the Second World Conference on Classical Heritage under the neoclassical columns of the Academy of Athens. Some 200 scholars, officials, and cultural figures from more than 20 countries are participating in the two-day gathering, co-hosted by Greece and China.
Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni: "Classical studies are not relics of the past. They are a necessary investment in the future, as they provide the intellectual tools we need to overcome the complex challenges of our time."
The two-day forum serves as a key platform for academic and cultural exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations. The conference explores issues of education, social responsibility, peace, and technological change. Speakers noted the growing cooperation between Greece and China in the fields of history, culture, and classical studies.
Hu Heping, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said: "Through modern interpretations of ancient classical texts, we can awaken classical wisdom and, enriched with knowledge, steer the ship of human civilization toward the distant future."
The main question addressed by conference participants was whether the ideas of ancient civilizations can be adapted by modern society, which is facing geopolitical confrontation and social upheaval in the 21st century. The speakers emphasized that modern achievements, including artificial intelligence, should also leave a significant mark on the history of human development, preserving rather than destroying traditions.
Gao Xiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: "In the face of artificial intelligence, our greatest concern should be whether our humanities traditions can be preserved. We must not allow technology to become a runaway horse—rushing headlong toward the abyss."
The key message from Athens: classical wisdom may not provide ready-made answers, but it can still help humanity ask the right questions to come to informed decisions together.
(Photo: Xinhua)
