The opening ceremony of a special exhibition on Minoan civilization in Greece was held on Monday at the Palace Museum in Beijing.
The exhibition, named “Daedalus: Legends of Crete,” brings together 172 precious artifacts and sets from the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Greece, along with one modern reconstruction.
It marks the first major exhibition dedicated to Minoan civilization held in China. Minoan civilization, one of Europe’s earliest Bronze Age civilizations, is renowned for its grand palace architecture, exquisite frescoes and unique writing systems.
The exhibition will run from April 15 to July 27. A series of academic lectures and educational activities will be held during the exhibition period to spark public interest in ancient civilizations and promote cooperation on cultural heritage protection and academic exchange between China and Greece.
The opening ceremony, held on April 14, was hosted by Lou Wei, Executive Vice President of the Palace Museum. Distinguished attendees included Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Lina Mendoni, Greek Minister of Culture; Ambassador Karpelis of Greece to China; and Huang Shaoji, CEO of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, along with prominent cultural and government representatives from both countries and abroad.
Wang Xudong emphasized that the exhibition represents a new era of Sino-Greek cultural exchange, with plans for continued cooperation in exhibitions, heritage preservation, academic research, and digital communication. He envisioned a deeper dialogue between Greek ingenuity and the philosophy behind the Forbidden City, as well as between the maritime spirit of the Minoans and China’s seafaring history.
Lina Mendoni highlighted the shared values and contributions of Greek and Chinese civilizations—particularly their pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and mutual respect. Ambassador Karpelis noted the growing enthusiasm of Chinese audiences for Greek culture and expressed hopes for more touring exhibitions across China.
This landmark exhibition marks a pinnacle of Sino-Greek cultural collaboration, showcasing new achievements and opening dialogues between ancient civilizations. It reflects the Palace Museum’s strategic partnership with Greek cultural institutions, promising deepened cooperation in exhibition display, cultural preservation, academic research, and digital communication.
The exhibition takes the legendary craftsman Daedalus as its central narrative figure, weaving together myth and archaeology to explore the roots of Greek civilization through the Bronze Age Minoan culture of Crete. Featuring 172 artifacts and one modern reconstruction from the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, it is divided into six thematic sections: “Mythology,” “Labyrinth,” “Bronze,” “Craftsmen,” “Statue,” and “Voyage.”
As the first major exhibition of Minoan culture in China, it recreates the ruins of the Palace of Knossos within the Shenwu Gate Exhibition Hall, providing an immersive experience that invites visitors to journey from myth to history—discovering Minoan architecture, frescoes, script, pottery, jewelry, tools, and sculpture.
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