Page 36 - EMPIRIA 2025

JOYFUL EXPLORATION I SANTORINI

Kykladitisses

Stone, Sea, and Story

The Archaeological Museum of Thera reopens its doors with a

groundbreaking exhibition that brings Cycladic women into the

spotlight—an initiative proudly supported by Empiria Group.

A MAJOR NEW exhibition will celebrate the grand reopening first time. Special emphasis is placed on Santorini (Thera),
of the renovated Archaeological Museum of Thera, inviting whose archaeological legacy plays a starring role in this
visitors to discover the untold stories of Cycladic women exhibition.
through rare and iconic artifacts. Titled “Cycladic Women:
Untold Stories of the Cyclades,” the landmark exhibition HIGHLIGHTS FROM THERA (SANTORINI)
will be on view from June 21 through October 31, 2025, The Kore of Thera: Standing 2.48 meters tall, this
with an official opening ceremony scheduled for June 20. colossal Archaic statue is one of the few of its kind preserved
Organized by the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Hellenic nearly intact. Dating to around 640–630 BCE, the Kore
Ministry of Culture through the Ephorate of Antiquities was discovered in 2000 at the ancient cemetery of Thera
of the Cyclades—in collaboration with the Municipality of (modern Kamari). Her refined features, long braided hair,
Thera—the exhibition is the first initiative born out of a and the remains of red pigment on her garment speak
memorandum of cooperation signed in May 2024 between to the craftsmanship of early Greek sculpture and to the
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and Museum President spiritual or social stature of the women she may have
Sandra Marinopoulou. represented. Top: Marble statue of a colossal Kore, 600–575 BCE (?). Archaeological Museum of Thera, inv. no. 790. Bottom: Fresco depicting
After a successful run in Athens, the exhibition comes “Women in the Inner Sanctuary” Fresco from Akrotiri: Women in the “Inner Sanctuary” (“Worshippers”), ca. 1600 BCE. Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Akrotiri fresco inv. no. 233.
to its most natural setting: the Cyclades. It features 180 This stunning wall painting from the Bronze Age settlement
exceptional artifacts from nearly every Cycladic Island, of Akrotiri portrays female figures engaged in ritual activity
many of which are presented to the public for the very within an enclosed sacred space. The work offers a rare
and intimate look into the spiritual and ceremonial life of
prehistoric Thera, emphasizing the central role of women.
These iconic pieces anchor the narrative of the exhibition,
offering powerful insights into the lives, beliefs, and
Marble head of representations of women in Thera across centuries.
a female figure, Alongside Thera’s treasures, the exhibition brings
likely Aphrodite,
Late Hellenistic together artifacts from Amorgos, Andros, Delos, Ios, Kea,
period. Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Serifos, Sikinos,
Archaeological Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, and Folegandros. Through figurines,
Museum of Thera,
inv. no. 011. sculptures, coins, jewelry, inscriptions, frescoes, icons,
and manuscripts, the exhibition sheds light on the roles
of Cycladic women as goddesses, priestesses, mothers,
merchants, intellectuals, mourners, and more.
Curated by Dr. Dimitris Athanasoulis (Ephorate of Antiquities
of the Cyclades), in collaboration with Dr. Panagiotis Iossif PHOTO: PARIS TAVITIAN © MUSEUM OF CYCL ADIC ART.
(Radboud University) and Dr. Ioannis Fappas (Aristotle
University of Thessaloniki), both Scientific Directors of the
Museum of Cycladic Art, this groundbreaking exhibition
invites visitors to rediscover the Cyclades through the
lens of its women—often silent in historical record, but
vividly present through these enduring works of art. •

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