17th Archaeological Festival at Biskupin
Motto of the Festival - Greece – the dawn of Europe
17th – 25th September 2011

17ο Φεστιβάλ στο Αρχαιολογικό Biskupin - Ελλάδα την αυγή της Ευρώπης

This year Festival will be organized – like the previous ones – within the reserve area of Archaeological Museum in Biskupin. Our visitors will have a unique opportunity to learn to know a culture and history of the ancient Greece, one of the most important sources of European civilization. We intend to point on a new and improved educational programme of Biskupin entertainment, a valuable change worthcontinuing in future. We dare to prepare a performances of the classical theatre (among others – staging of Sophocles Antigone), presentations of the Great Greecefashion (including Minoan one), hair-dress and make-up of Greek elegant ladies and jewellery show as well. Pythia, also known as the Oracle of Delphi, will make her prophesies in Biskupin temple of Apollo, and Greek sages will try to introduce us into philosophic and political doctrines. The Olympic games with many sport competitions of the Classical Period should arouse a vivid interest of our guests, who might take part in the event, too. Hoplites, famous Greek warriors, will present arming and combat techniques. Organizers of the Festival do propose an active participation in a numerous workshops of different subjects – for example Greek folk and antique dances accompanied by music performed on reconstructed instruments, Greek grammar school – where one may have an occasion to write down her/his name in Homer’s language, pottery workshops of making black-figure ornament vessels, clay masks, oil lamps as well as replicas of Minoan beads. Masters in minting and bronze casting will show the elaboration process of coins from Athens, Syracuse, Agrigento or Corinth. There will be also something for suspending a good appetite – specialities of the ancient Greece cooking, full of aroma and intriguing delicacies. Everyday will be undertaken a differentiated competitions and contests on Greek topics, and participants of the best gaining knowledge and abilities certainly receive a proper awards.
The high level of Greek classical world civilization, mysteries of the past oracles, wealth of spiritual beliefs, strategies of great battles and achievements of Greek rulers will be presented on a special exhibition in the Museum pavilion, as well as during Festival many events made to demonstrate an amazing heritage of the ancient Greece. Additional information set will be comprised in a popular-scientific articles and essays published in daily, free of charge “Gazeta Biskupińska” /Biskupin Newspaper/, and every of the Festival nine days will be devoted to a sole Muse from Greek goddesses circle, patron saints of art and science. One may have an interesting experience with Mycenaean calculator and being involved in antique plays and plate games. Permanent attraction will be created by Greek vigorous, joyful music - far traditional as well as folk ones - from sunny Hellenic mountains and islands, to be presented on workshops and shows.