CULTURE 2015
4.10.2015
Ilida – Olympia: The Route of Truce
A bridge between the ancient and the modern
The highlighting and mapping of the mountainous trail referred to by Pausanias*, which historically served as the communication route between Ancient Ilida (the organizing city of the Olympic Games) and Ancient Olympia (the sacred site where the Games were held), was the central theme of the event organized by the Federation of Olympia on Sunday, October 4, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., at the TAE KWON DO Arena (VIP Hall) in Palaio Faliro, as part of the Sports Education Festival.
The event was opened by the President of the Federation of Olympia, Ms. Sofia Hintziou Kontogianni, who emphasized that the Route of Truce functions as a bridge between the ancient and the modern world.
The presentation of the eco-tourism route Ilida–Olympia was delivered by Mr. Nikos Alexandropoulos (architectural engineer and project researcher). Mr. Konstantinos Kalentis presented the mobile application developed as a digital guide for the Route of Truce and the wider region of Ilia.
Mr. Titos Athanasiadis (journalist, historian, and author) spoke on Olympism and the institution of the Truce, while Mr. Athanasios Katsimpelis (teacher, M.Ed., legal scholar, and President of the Board of the Scientific and Humanitarian Non-Profit Organization of Greek Teachers – Greekteachers) developed the theme: “A sound mind in a sound body.”
Greetings were addressed by:
Mr. Ioannis Maronitis (President of the UNESCO Group of Piraeus and Islands),
Mr. Spyros Andriopoulos (Director of the Supreme Council for Sports of the Armed Forces – ASAED, marathon runner),
Ms. Maria Polyzou (marathon runner, holder of the Pheidippidean feat),
representing the young athletes of Ilia, Panagiotis Mantis (Greek and Balkan champion in the decathlon),
the Deputy Mayor of Ilida, Mr. Spiros Tzoulekis,
and Mr. Stylianos Maroulis, representing the Union of Artists and Writers of Ilioupoli “To Ergastiri”.
The event concluded with a performance by Ms. Penelope Gaiti and the group “En Flo” from Florina, entitled:
“You must walk the path in order to listen and breathe – Breath.”
Throughout the Sports Education Festival (October 2–3–4, 2015), the Federation of Olympia maintained an exhibition booth at the stadium concourse. In parallel, an art exhibition was hosted featuring works by the Union of Artists and Writers of Ilioupoli “To Ergastiri” and members of the UNESCO Group of Piraeus and Islands.
The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the UNESCO Group of Piraeus and Islands.
*Pausanias, in his work “Eliaka”, notes:
“From Pylos in Elis, the ruins are visible along the mountainous road from Olympia to Ilida; Ilida lies eighty stadia from Pylos.” (Pausanias VI, 22.5)
Translation: The ruins of Elean Pylos are visible along the mountainous road from Olympia to Ilida; Ilida is eighty stadia (approximately 14.5 km) from Pylos.
