Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece Events Series 2020 focuses on the topic of “Eutopia, Dystopia, Utopia: Environmental aesthetics and politics”. The aim is to raise and discuss the following issues: the natural and built environment, as an experience and source of inspiration and imagination; political, philosophical and anthropological approaches on the environment in different historical periods; scientific, theological and ethical aspects of climate change.
As usual, the Events Series will take place in different Greek cities, from January to June 2020. Of the six events that make up this year’s cycle, two will take place at the premises of CHS Greece in Nafplio, and for the rest the Center will cooperate with the MOMus-Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki, with the University of Crete in Rethymno, with the National Library of Greece in Athens, and with the University of Patras in Patras.
The annual Events Series is part of the Center’s activities which are addressed to the general public and include lectures and panel discussions by specialists, mostly distinguished academics from Greek and foreign universities. Through this program, the Center for Hellenic Studies promotes Harvard’s global engagement with a variety of research and educational activities, dedicated to the promotion of Greek culture, as well as the fostering of its humanist values.
You can find more information about the CHS Greece Events Series on the dedicated webpage: greece.chs.harvard.edu/eventsseries
Program of events
Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at 19:00, Nafplio
Maria Georgopoulou, Director of the Gennadius Library, American School of Classical Studies at Athens: Flora Graeca: The Discovery of Greek Nature by the Europeans
Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 19:00, Thessaloniki
Environment and Theater
Sophia Eftychiadou, Theater Historian and Critic: Space as Dramaturg
Christina Chatzivasileiou, Theater Director – PhD in Theater Studies: “I came back, but Ι am not home”: The Cherry Orchard as utopia
Elli Papageorgakopoulou, Set & Costume Designer: “Bon voyage”
*In collaboration with MOMus-Museum of Contemporary Art
Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at 19:00, Rethymno
Theodore Papanghelis, Professor of Latin at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, & Ordinary Member of the Academy of Athens: On Nature: From the Ionian “physiologists” to Contemporary Ecology
*In collaboration with the University of Crete
Friday, April 10, 2020, at 19:00, Athens
Climate Change
Costas Synolakis, Professor of Natural Hazards Management at the Technical University of Crete and the University of Southern California, & Ordinary Member of the Academy of Athens: Oceans Are the Key to Climate Change
Christos Zerefos, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Athens, & Ordinary Member of the Academy of Athens: Climate Change in Greece
Alexandra Mitsotaki, President & Co-Founder of the World Human Forum: The Citizen’s Power and Responsibility for a Sustainable World
*In collaboration with the National Library of Greece
Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 19:00, Patras
Landscape and Wealth: What and How we Enjoy
John Peponis, Architect, Professor of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta: How Does Space Get a Meaning? Constructions and Landscape Formations
Yannis Aesopos, Architect, Professor of Architecture at the University of Patras: Clichés in Greek Landscapes of Tourism
Dionysis Kapsalis, Author, Director of the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation: The Times of the Gaze
George Hadjimichalis, Painter: The Spectacle of Boyiati as a Moving Landscape
*In collaboration with the University of Patras
Friday, June 5, 2020, at 19:00, Nafplio
Evgenios Matthiopoulos, Professor of Art History at the University of Crete, & Collaborating Researcher of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas: The Color of the Sea in Modern Greek Art, 19th-20th c.
