Showcasing Greek History in Canada: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great

Treasures of Ancient Greece at the Canadian Museum of History

On June 4, 2015, the Canadian Museum of History – Canada’s largest and most popular cultural institution located on the shores of the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec – opened the extraordinary and historic exhibition about Ancient Greece: The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great.

More than 1,000 people participated in the opening celebrations which included remarks by a number of dignitaries, traditional Greek dancing performed by Ottawa’s Odyssey Dance Troupe and authentic Greek food courtesy of the Hellenic Community of Ottawa.

Among the many participants were His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios, Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada; the Hon. Robert W. Peck, Ambassador of Canada to Greece; His Excellency George Marcantonatos, Ambassador of Greece to Canada; His Excellency Eleftherios Anghelopoulos, the former Ambassador of Greece to Canada; and, Mr. Costas Menegakis, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary (Citizenship and Immigration).

The opening was a remarkable event with record-breaking attendance. It was a most fitting beginning for an exhibit that offers visitors an impressive look at a people and civilization who transformed the course of humanity.

“I sincerely applaud the Canadian Museum of History and all of its partner organizations for their collaboration and determination to bring hundreds of historic artifacts from Greece and I encourage all Canadians from across the country to visit this truly amazing exhibition,” said Metropolitan Sotirios.

The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great
Unprecedented in size and scope, the exhibition explores 5,000 years of history and features over 500 outstanding artifacts from 21 Greek museums, including many pieces never before displayed outside their homeland. The artifacts illuminate Greece’s role as a cradle of Western culture and democracy. The Greeks – Agamemnon to Alexander the Great is presented from June 5 to October 12, 2015. For more information visit: www.historymuseum.ca/thegreeks/