The exhibition “THE ORIGINS OF SCULPTURE: Archaeological finds from the Old World and Lesbos, 2.5 million to 50,000 years ago” was inaugurated by H.E. the President of the Republic, Mrs Katerina Sakellaropoulou, at the Benaki Museum in Athens. The exhibition is organized by the University of Crete, the Benaki Museum, and the Region of Crete, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. It is realized with the contribution of the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy, the North Aegean Region, and the Municipality of West Lesbos. The scientific curation of the exhibition is undertaken by Nena Galanidou, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Crete, and Thomas Wynn, Professor of Cognitive Archaeology at the University of Colorado, with artistic contributions from Tony Berlant, a visual artist.

The exhibition opens to the public on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, and will run until Sunday, January 7, 2024. In the packed halls of Koumbari Street, on behalf of the Administrative Committee, the President of the Republic and the guests were welcomed by the Scientific Director of the Museum, Dr. Giorgis Magginis, who thanked everyone who contributed to the realization of the exhibition, the scientific team, the collaborating entities, all sponsors, and supporters.

H.E. President Mrs Katerina Sakellaropoulou inaugurated the exhibition, noting in her greeting: “I am delighted to inaugurate the exhibition The Origins of Sculpture, this exceptional collection of Paleolithic stone artifacts, which seems to suggest a new genealogy of the history of art. (…) We are amazed by the search for symmetry by our prehistoric ancestors during the process of creating teardrop or spherical tools, or the recognition of shapes on the surface of rocks and their enhancement. I think that if we define art as a form that transcends use, then these exhibits are indeed some of the oldest aesthetic objects on earth.”

Greetings were also addressed by Professor Giorgos Kontakis, Rector of the University of Crete, and Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governor of Crete. Subsequently, the curator and Professor of the University of Crete, Ms. Nena Galanidou, spoke about the exhibition and its particular interest. Her speech concluded with thanks to all who contributed to its realization.

Among the attendees were Members of Parliament, the Regional Governors of Crete, Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, and the North Aegean, Mr. Kostas Moutzouris, along with the Deputy Regional Governor of Culture, Ms. Anastasia Antonelli, the Vice-Rector of the University of Crete, Professor Giorgos Kossioris, Ms. Vicky Loizou, General Secretary of Private Investments, Ms. Christina Kalogirou, Associate General Secretary of the Prime Minister, while the General Secretary of the Aegean and Island Policy was represented by his Scientific Associate, Ms. Myrevi Nasiou. Also present were representatives of the sponsors: members of the Evangelos Angelakos family and the N. Metaxas family, Andreas & Rodanthi Metaxas, representatives of the academic and scientific community, Foundations, and Museums.