http://youtu.be/53z8RgKdxTs
From December 12, 2014 to April 26, 2015.
Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal's museum of Archaeology and History welcomes world-premiere of exhibition on Ancient Greece. Public opening on December 12 at 2 p.m.
The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great is the most vast and comprehensive exhibition on Ancient Greece ever presented in North America. It brings together more than 500 artifacts from 21 Greek museums, including many pieces never before displayed outside Greece. Among other treasures, visitors will be able to see a number of priceless objects, the result of some unparalleled archaeological discoveries.
To facilitate the production of an exhibition of this breadth, a consortium of North American museums was created. In addition to Pointe-à-Callière, the consortium includes Canadian Museum of History, The Field Museum in Chicago and the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC. The Canadian Museum of History will oversee direction of the consortium, as well as work on production of the exhibition in association with the Directorate General of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports.
The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great invites visitors on a breathtaking and illuminating journey through 5,000 years of Greek history and culture. It is the most comprehensive exhibition about Ancient Greece to tour North America in a generation and features some of the finest artifacts of the classical world. Many of the objects have never before traveled outside of the country. The exhibition includes priceless treasures, the fruit of fascinating archaeological discoveries, along with items recounting the epic adventures of heroes of Ancient Greece, from the siege of Troy by Agamemnon to the triumphs of Alexander the Great.
The journey begins around 6000 BCE, revealing the deep roots of Greek culture. It ends in the days of Alexander the Great (356 to 323 BCE), whose military conquests created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Along the way, visitors will meet the legendary King Agamemnon, leader of the united Greek forces in the Trojan War (12th century BCE) and one of the great heroes of Greek mythology. They will also learn about numerous milestones in Greek and human history: the birth of democracy, philosophy, theatre and the arts, science and medicine. They will see how the first democracy functioned and discover the tools that made it possible.
Visitors will also be able to admire over 500 exquisite treasures drawn from the collections of 21 Greek museums, including the renowned National Archaeological Museum and the new Acropolis Museum in Athens. Among the many exceptional pieces are the iconic portrait of Alexander the Great, found near Pella, the impressive kouroi statues of young men dating from the 6th century BCE, and a dazzling array of golden jewellery from royal tombs. All these items come from Greek museums, co-ordinated by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports –Directorate General of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, in collaboration with a consortium of museums.
All in all, hundreds of golden objects will be presented, including two magnificent death masks from Mycenae (16th century BCE); superb warrior's helmets; the beautiful myrtle wreath of Queen Meda from the antechamber of the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia (about 336 BCE); and a marble bas-relief representing a young man crowning himself.
As they tour the exhibition, visitors of all ages will be captivated by the stories of historical figures like Aristotle, Plato, Philip II of Macedonia and the Spartan King Leonidas, and the epic heroes and gods of Greek mythology, including Achilles, Aphrodite, Athena, Zeus and Poseidon. They will also enjoy captivating interactives, fascinating hands-on objects, and a stunning design treatment. It all adds up to a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition and a truly memorable visitor experience.
The Museum is featuring a number of activities and products relating to the exhibition: more information.
Photography is strictly forbidden at all times in the exhibition rooms
The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great iiis an exhibition produced by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports (Athens, Greece), Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex (Montréal, Canada), the Canadian Museum of History (Gatineau, Canada), The Field Museum (Chicago, USA), and the National Geographic Museum (Washington, DC, USA).
The Embassy of Greece in Canada and the Embassy of Canada to Greece are working together to promote the exhibition.
The exhibition was Supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program. Pointe-à-Callière also thanks the following sponsors: Société de transports de Montréal (SMILING TO MYSELF), Intercontinental Hotel, Aéroports de Montréal, Traditours, Hellenic Community of Greater Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Pacart and La Presse.
The Museum is subsidized by the City of Montréal.
http://pacmusee.qc.ca
