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Passing the Olympic Flame: A Global Journey of Values

An event on the subject of the Olympic flame and its global journey from Ancient Greece to the present, took place on Wednesday 5/15/2024 in London. It is a joint organization of Komvos-Node with the Greek Embassy in the United Kingdom.
The event was held at the residence of the Greek Ambassador in London entitled “Passing the Olympic Flame: A Global Journey of Values ​​from Ancient Greece to Today” The Ambassador of France to the United Kingdom Hélène Duchêne opened the introductory speeches.

The Speeches

The Ambassador spoke about the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the role of French historian Baron Pierre de Coubertin in reviving the Olympic Games and promoting the ideals and values ​​of the Olympic Games around the world.

This was followed by a speech by the Ambassador of Japan to the UK, HAYASHI Hajime, who referred to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as well as the contribution of Greco-Irish poet Lafcadio Hearn/Yakumo Koizumi to the spread of Japanese culture to other parts of the world.

Afterwards, the Greek Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr. Yiannis Tsaousis, addressed the attendees.

Discussion on the topic of the Olympic flame

A discussion followed, moderated by Prof. Angelos Haniotis, with the participation of Elisavet Filippouli and Vicky Pryce. We remind you that Elisavet Filippouli is a journalist, writer and social entrepreneur based in London and a corporate member of Komvos-Node. Vicky Pryce is an economist also based in London and a member of the Board of Komvos-Node. Angelos Haniotis is Professor of Ancient History and Classical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Komvos-Node.

Prof. Haniotis opened the discussion by giving a short presentation of Komvos-Node. He then explained why philhellenism, the Olympic spirit and the Greek diaspora are important today. He also referred to the initiative of the Hub for the organization of the Silver Olympics which will concern people over 60 years of age. Considering the changing demographics of our time, such an institution could celebrate the values ​​of courage, determination, inspiration, equality and inclusion. The will for an active life is reflected in an action like this.

Afterwards, Vicky Pryce and Elisabeth Filippouli developed their thoughts on the topic of discussion:

The Olympic Games in ancient Greece (8th century BC) reflected the values ​​and ideals that would characterize Greek culture for the next 500 years. Certain fundamental principles and values ​​derived from ancient Greece are still central to the modern Olympic spirit:

  • The ceasefire (sacred truce) and the end of hostilities.
  • the ideal of harmony between body and mind. glory, excellence through a struggle (fight or struggle);
  • equality, justice and self-improvement were the driving force behind the ancient Olympic spirit.

The economics of the modern Olympic Games as well as Philhellenism and Olympism were also discussed, as an offset of universal values ​​such as freedom, democracy, peace, truce, social justice, respect for human rights, fair play, solidarity.

Private collection exhibition

The event concluded with an exhibition of the private collection of Ms. Elisabeth Filippouli: The Olympic Pin Tradition, The exhibition of 1800 Olympic pins from the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and a collection of Lord Byron’s objects at the Hellenic Residence, courtesy of the collector. Mr. Dino Notaras.

See the announcement of the event and the invitation.

Read the article in Greek.