The project of the digital revival of Ancient Olympia was inaugurated by Mr. Mitsotakis

“Today, here in Olympia, we are taking a first big step not just Greek but global. To show that ancient culture, any culture, can meet technology to finally give the visitor a completely different opportunity to really understand what was happening in this sacred place so many centuries ago “, said the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, inaugurating this morning the project of the digital revival of Ancient Olympia, in the presence of the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The Prime Minister took a look back at the past, explaining how this idea took on flesh and blood. “21 months ago, it was January 2020, just before the pandemic knocked on the door of the planet, I met for the first time, at the Davos Economic Forum, with the president of Microsoft, Mr. Brad Smith. The company ‘s ability to invest in our country, but then the idea of ​​working with Microsoft on a flagship project that had always been on my mind for many years fell on the table: how can we use modern technology? and to showcase our cultural heritage in a new way. ”

“Microsoft immediately agreed, embraced this idea and of course, Mr. Mayor, the place we chose together was – in my mind at least – self-evident. Olympia, as a global symbol of the universal values ​​that classical Hellenism stands for.” added Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“My vision is similar experiences to be able to launch for all the important archeological sites”, the Prime Minister underlined. “Now that we have proved that this vision can be put into practice, now that we have bridged the gap that may have in the past separated the world of classical studies from the world of technology. The challenge is before us and I assure you that we will embrace it with warm “pointed out Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“A common place thanks to the collaboration of archeology and technology”

The project in the birthplace of the Olympic Games, entitled “Ancient Olympia: Common Place” is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and Sports and Microsoft, using artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies.

Allows viewers around the world to explore Ancient Olympia as it was more than 2,000 years ago through an interactive mobile app, a digital tour of the historic site on a PC, and the housed Microsoft HoloLens 2 exhibition at the Olympic Museum of Athens.

The project restores 27 digital monuments, including the Stadium, the temples of Zeus and Hera and the workshop of Pheidias, while allowing the visitor to walk the streets of the sanctuary in one of the most important periods in history.

“Highlights the unique and emblematic archaeological site”

“With the digital representation of the pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Ancient Olympia, the cultural heritage, but also the values ​​of Olympism, peace, harmony, excellence, noble rivalry, become accessible to the whole world, to the whole planet, through The project of Digital Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Ancient Olympia through the use of Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality technologies, implemented through cultural sponsorship of Microsoft, promotes and highlights the unique and emblematic archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, of monuments, supports tourism and the extroversion of the country as a modern and strong democracy with a great historical and cultural past and unquestionable development dynamics “, said the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni.

“Working to digitally preserve Ancient Olympia is a major breakthrough in the field of cultural heritage. It brings together the human factor and cutting-edge technology and invites future generations to explore our past in new ways,” said Brad Smith. , President of Microsoft, in a message that was delivered during the inauguration.

“We thank the Greek government for the trust and cooperation it has taken to make this project a reality. I look forward to exploring the different ways in which we can work together to explore even more common ground to enhance tourism, education and the Greek brand in the rest of the world “, said Theodosis Michalopoulos, General Manager for Microsoft Greece Cyprus and Malta.

Earlier, the Prime Minister accompanied the President of the Republic on the guided tour of the archeological site by the students of the High School of Ancient Olympia and the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia, Erofili Kollia.

The whole speech of the Prime Minister

“Madam President of the Republic,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Mr. Governor, Mr. Mayor,

Dear Philippe,

Ladies and gentlemen,

21 months ago, it was January 2020, just before the pandemic knocked on the door of the planet, I met for the first time, at the Davos Economic Forum, with the President of Microsoft, Mr. Brad Smith.

We talked then about a lot, about the ability of the company to invest in our country and to create large data centers, an investment that is progressing and being implemented at a fast pace. But then the idea of ​​working with Microsoft on a flagship project that had always been on my mind for many years fell on the table: how can we use modern technology and show our cultural heritage in a new way? .

Microsoft agreed immediately, embraced this idea and of course, Mr. Mayor, the place we chose together was – in my mind at least – self-evident. Olympia, as a global symbol of the universal values ​​advocated by classical Hellenism and transmitted 25 centuries later to modern humanity. A place of worship, a place of collective meeting, a place of overcoming differences, a place where perhaps more than anything else the concept of Greek identity was sculpted. This is where the city-states came, setting aside their local differences, to compete in spiritual and physical struggles. And to contribute significantly to the ancient Greek culture.

So we started and worked very methodically and I want to take this opportunity to thank on the one hand the Microsoft team in Greece but mainly the services of the Ministry of Culture for the willingness with which they embraced this very innovative idea.

Because indeed, as it was said by those who spoke before, in this project archeology meets technology. Because on the one hand, as important as the great opportunity that technology gives us to create virtual and augmented realities, so important is the contribution of our archaeologists and historians in determining the reality that we are called to create again through the digital world.

And without the cooperation of the archaeologists of the Minister of Culture, without their passion, without the energy with which I believe they re-immersed themselves in the sources and think in detail what it means to digitally rebuild 27 different monuments, I believe that this project could not finally to be implemented.

And I am really happy, I am excited, that today, here in Olympia, we are taking a first big step not just Greek, but a global step to show that ancient culture, any culture, can meet technology to finally give the visitor a complete different ability to really understand what was going on in this sacred space so many centuries ago.

I had the opportunity to tour with the President and all of you at the archeological site, but mainly what I held today was not so much the power of technology as the excitement in the eyes of the young students of the high school of Ancient Olympia. The ability to really understand what was happening in this area 25 centuries ago, to revive before their eyes the power of Ancient Olympia.

And in this way I believe that we create and open new horizons and how we transmit knowledge to the new generation. We often say “a picture is worth a thousand words”. And I think this is more true here than ever. So the visualization of this experience is what makes it literally so unique and this connection of our culture with modern technology what we call “Common Grounds”, “I believe that creates new boulevards for the country, Madam Minister , on how we can further enhance our cultural heritage.

Because what we see today can be enjoyed by anyone from their computer, from Beijing to San Francisco. And if he sees it, he will feel the need to come twice, Mr. Mayor, to visit this place and to spend more time and in this way to support the local economy and the economy of the country as a whole.

My vision is similar experiences to be able to set off for all the important archaeological sites. Now that we have proven that this vision can be put into practice, now that we have bridged the gap that may in the past have separated the world of classical studies from the world of technology. The challenge is before us and I assure you that we will embrace it warmly. Olympia and the “Common Places” are just the beginning of what we can do.

And of course technology is the tool not only to make our lives better – we have also proved it through the applications of gov.gr, the reduction of bureaucracy and the ease with which citizens and businesses now communicate with the state. Technology is a great educational tool, technology ultimately unites and does not divide when used properly.

So we will continue on this road, which we open today in Olympia, but we will always remember that the first step was taken where it should have been done. Here, in Ancient Olympia, we make today a new beginning for this sacred place, for our cultural heritage as a whole, but also projecting the image of our country to the world. A country that is not just proud of its glorious past, a country that embraces with courage and confidence the challenges of the future and a world that is changing rapidly. ”