Millions of people around the world have chosen running as a form of regular exercise, with the number increasing every year. Of these, more and more participate in organized races of shorter or longer distances each year.

Such races are held in every location to mark an anniversary, as a means of raising awareness, as a tradition, etc. A constant factor in their success, even if the organization is not perfect, remains the mass participation of athletes of all ages. Of course, the starting point and the ultimate challenge for every runner is to participate in a marathon race, which is perhaps the most popular trend in mass sports.

The roots of the Athens Marathon lie in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The idea of organizing a race that would connect Marathon with Athens belongs to the Hellenist Michel Breal. He was the man who suggested the organization of the marathon to Pierre de Coubertin. Of course, the idea comes from the tradition of the Athenian runner Pheidippides announcing the victory of the Athenians in the Battle of Marathon. After the battle, the messenger ran to the city to announce the great victory against the Persians, carrying his weapons with him.

From the outset, the Athens Marathon stood out in the consciousness of the Greek public as it was considered the quintessential Greek sport: “this (the announcement of victory at Marathon by Pheidippides) and now connected to the movement of international competitions, which we celebrate, conveys a thrill of excitement to the crowds and generates interest other than that inspired by the other competitions.” (EFIMERIS newspaper, March 17, 1896). The victory of Spyros Louis reinforced this assessment and was considered a great national success. It is no coincidence that even today, the names of the athletes and coaches who won the remaining nine gold medals for Greece in 1896 are little known or unknown.

The Μarathon Race quickly became popular with international audiences. In fact, it became established even faster than the Olympic Games themselves. After Athens, the next Marathon Race was held in France on the Paris-Conflans route in July 1896. The distance of the marathon was approximately 40 kilometers until 1924, when the International Olympic Committee set the route at exactly 42,195 meters.

In every country, on every continent, even in Antarctica, marathons, half-marathons, and shorter distance races are organized. These races are a tourist attraction that no city in the world can ignore. It is no coincidence that the marathon route in each city is designed to pass by its sights and most beautiful spots. Preparing to welcome and accommodate runners from abroad requires systematic and very careful preparation by the authorities in each location.

As a destination for athletes, amateurs, and professionals, Athens maintains a competitive advantage as it is the city where participants run the authentic Marathon route. For runners around the world, participating in the Authentic Athens Marathon is a major goal. Although the Athens route is considered one of the most demanding due to its elevation differences and relatively high temperatures, thousands of runners come to the city every year for the race, accompanied by family and friends. It is noteworthy that this year’s international participation reached a record high, exceeding 10,000 runners from 125 countries.

The beginning of this successful event dates back to 1972 when the Classic Marathon was organized for the first time, at a time when the culture of mass sports was virtually non-existent. Only 70 athletes from 5 countries participated. In 1983, SEGAS took over the organization and, year after year, although in small steps, its popularity grew, following international trends. In recent years, the Marathon has broken participation records every year, reaching more than 75,000 participants of all ages in all events this year.

Προέλευση φωτογραφιας: https://www.facebook.com/athensauthenticmarathon/photos

The Authentic Marathon is the “spearhead” of sports tourism and city tourism. But beyond that, it is a day of celebration for the city, a message of optimism and peace that begins at the Tomb of Marathon and ends at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Προέλευση φωογραφίας: https://www.facebook.com/athensauthenticmarathon/photos

https://worldsmarathons.com/s/running/antarctica/full_marathon

https://www.sansimera.gr/articles/696

https://www.everydayhealth.com/workouts-activities/running-statistics/

Leonidas Petridis & Alexios Batrakoulis, Greek Journal of Sports & Recreation Management, vol. 10 (2), 43–54, December 2013

Cyprus is once again making a strong showing this year as an Institutional Partner at the great celebration of the running community, the 43rd Athens Marathon—the Authentic One—which will take place on November 7 and 8, 2026.

The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism is also participating in the Allwyn Marathon Expo 2026, inviting runners and visitors to discover the sports tourism opportunities the island has to offer.

The Allwyn Marathon Expo 2026 will take place from November 4 through 7, 2026, at the Palaio Faliro Indoor Arena (formerly the Tae Kwon Do Arena). The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism’s booth is located at booth 62.

At booth 62, running enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn about Cyprus’s running events and discover the island as a destination that perfectly combines sports, nature, and authentic hospitality.

More information about Cyprus’s running events is available at the following link:

https://www.visitcyprus.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/MARATHON-FLYER-2026-WEB-ONLY.pdf.

In addition, visitors to the exhibition on November 4 and 5 will have the chance to win spots in running events in Cyprus and other great prizes.

Information about the contest prizes is available at the link : https://www.marathonexpo.gr/diagwnismos_kypros/

The connection between literary creation and scientific research, teaching practice, and social reflection was the focus of the 7th International Conference “Creative Writing,” held in Larnaca from October 8 to 10, 2026. With the participation of approximately 400 delegates and more than 170 presenters from Greece, Cyprus, and around the world, the event served as a meeting ground for diverse scholarly traditions and creative practices, all united by a common focus on the exploration of writing and its multiple functions.

The conference was organized by the “Creative Writing” Graduate Program at the University of Western Macedonia, in collaboration with the Inter-institutional Graduate Program “Rhetoric, Communication, and Creative Writing in Education” of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Western Macedonia, Lund University, UCLan Cyprus, and the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, with the support of the Municipality of Larnaca. This collaboration gave the event an international and inter-university character, linking academic study with educational and cultural activities.

A comprehensive assessment of the Conference’s themes highlights the importance of an approach that examines the creative process, its theoretical understanding, and the conditions under which it develops as a unified whole. Writing, reading, teaching, and criticism are interrelated activities, and their systematic consideration can broaden our understanding of literary creation. The presentation by the Conference Chair, Professor Triantafyllos H. Kotopoulos, titled “The Theory of the Creative Writing Ecosystem,” was also part of this theoretical discussion.

The connection between theory and practice took on particular significance in the presentations on education. Approaches focusing on creative engagement with literature, differentiated instruction, inclusion, and reading communities provide starting points for a learning process in which text comprehension is linked to personal experimentation and collaboration. From this perspective, the pedagogical value of creative writing lies in its ability to provide a space for formulating questions, exploring different perspectives, and gradually developing a personal voice. Making the most of this potential requires clear instructional planning, appropriate feedback, and respect for the individuality of each learner.

This pedagogical dimension is directly linked to the social function of writing, which has been brought to the forefront by themes such as identity, gender, memory, trauma, and interculturalism. Their coexistence within the academic program allows us to approach narrative as a process through which individual experience intersects with collective representations and the social conditions of expression. From this perspective, a key direction for research and teaching is the creation of conditions that foster the listening to diverse voices, the critical examination of stereotypes, and the processing of experiences seeking a place in public discourse.

Questions regarding the creator’s voice and role take on added significance in the context of digital technologies. The inclusion of artificial intelligence in the conference program—with references to ethical boundaries, transparency, and changes in literary production—makes it necessary to systematically examine the conditions for its use. One prospect that emerges is the development of a critical relationship with these new tools, one that will link technological experimentation with authorial responsibility and the conscious crafting of language. The importance of continuing to write as a means of expression and communication in the face of the challenges posed by artificial intelligence was also revisited in the public discussion led by Triantafyllos H. Kotopoulos following the conclusion of the conference.

At the same time, the intersection of creative writing with the visual arts, theater, music, and audiovisual forms has opened up a broad field of interdisciplinary exploration. The transition from image to word, from literary text to the stage, and from reading to creative response raises questions about how experience is transformed when the medium of expression changes. The significance of these approaches lies in the possibilities they offer for enriching writing practice and for designing educational activities that combine different modes of reception and creation.

The assessment of the 7th International Conference on “Creative Writing” thus establishes a framework for further work centered on the dialogue between research, education, and artistic practice. The continuation of this dialogue can be based on the systematic study of pedagogical applications, the exchange of experiences between creators and researchers, and the development of collaborations that ensure the sustainability of these academic gatherings. In this regard, creative writing offers a shared space for cultivating expression, understanding human experience, and participating in contemporary culture.

The 7th International Creative Writing Conference welcomes you from October 8 to 10, 2026, in Larnaca, Cyprus, at UCLan Cyprus University.

The Master's Degree Program (MA) in Creative Writing in collaboration with the Inter-institutional Master's Degree Program in Rhetoric, Communication, and Creative Writing in Education , Lund University (Centre for Languages and Literature/Modern Greek Studies) and the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth of Cyprus, with the support of the Municipality of Larnaca, invite you to the 7th International Conference on Creative Writing.

Professors, researchers, doctoral students, graduate students, writers, people who love reading and writing from different countries and continents will have the opportunity to meet in the city of Kozani and discuss writing, reading, criticism, research, and the study of texts. The official guests of the conference, Theodoros Theodoulidis, Gouliamos Kostas, Xavier Mínguez-López, Sarioglou Irini, Vissarion Natasa, and Zou Fu, will contribute their scientific knowledge and creative experience to the discussion on Creative Writing.

The President of the Scientific Committee

Triantafyllos H. Kotopoulos, Professor of Creative Writing and Modern Greek Literature, University of Western Macedonia

Central Scientific Committee

Tzina Kalogirou, Professor of Modern Greek Literature and Teaching, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Vasileios Sabatakakis, Associate Professor of Modern Greek Studies, Center for Languages and Literature, Lund University, Sweden, President of the European Society for Modern Greek Studies

Dr. Elena Hatzikakou, Director of the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth of Cyprus

ORGANIZING COMMITEE

CULTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN MACEDONIA (UoWM).

VERGOS Auctions’ Fall Auction of Modern Greek Art features 169 selected works by renowned artists at affordable prices in its catalog. The auction will take place online—live—on Wednesday, September 23, at 6:00 p.m.

Find out more about the auction lots on the website www.vergosauctions.com.

With estimated prices ranging from €200 to €3,000, this auction offers an excellent opportunity to discover works of Modern Greek art that can serve as the starting point for a new collection or complement an existing one.

Amongst the many items in the auction, the ceramic tile ‘Portrait of a Woman – Hellenic Collectors’ Circle Edition (2010)’ by Yannis Moralis, with an estimated price of €300–400, stands out, the two small-scale (20×10 cm each) works by Yannis Tsarouchis: ‘a) Profile, b) Angel’ with an estimated value of €2,000–3,000, as well as the ceramic piece ‘Motherhood’ by Vasso Katraki with an estimated value of €800–1,200.

The catalog also includes works by many other widely recognized artists, such as Alekos Fassianos, Alexis Akrithakis, Vasilis Sperantzas, Vasilis Fotopoulos, Yannis Gaitis, Yannis Psychopedis, Dimitris Mytaras, Diamantis Diamantopoulos, Marios Prasinos, Nikolaos A. Christopoulos, Nikos Stefanou, Panos Valsamakis, Tasos Mantzavinos, Christos Kagkaras, Christos Bokoros, and Maria Pop.

The auction will be broadcast live on the auction house’s website, and interested parties may participate online, as well as by submitting written and/or telephone bids.

Although the term “tourism” is relatively modern, its characteristics and roots can be traced back through the centuries, as far as antiquity.

The human need to visit religious monuments and places of worship is timeless, motivated by pilgrimage, the fulfilment of a vow, or prayer. Perhaps the best-known example of mass pilgrimage tourism comes from the Middle Ages, when thousands of people, under adverse and often dangerous conditions, travelled long distances on foot to visit the Holy Land, the Vatican, Hagia Sophia, and other sacred sites. Even in more recent times, travel remained difficult. After all, people travelled mainly for livelihood rather than leisure. Nevertheless, major religious centres continued to attract travellers seeking answers to the hardships of daily life.

Things changed radically and rapidly in the 19th century. The railway and the steamship made travel safer, faster, and more comfortable. The first to capitalise on this new reality was Thomas Cook, the founder of organised tourism. A churchman himself, serving as an itinerant Baptist preacher, he combined religion and travel to organise the first “tourist packages” of religious tourism from England to the Holy Land.

From then on, tourism would become a continuously expanding industry and a key pillar of the economy in almost every state. And religious tourism has never ceased to be a dynamic and mass segment of it.

In recent decades, religious and pilgrimage tourism has seen significant growth. It no longer addresses only believers, but also people interested in a destination’s history, natural wealth, architecture, archaeology, and cultural heritage. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide seek such travel packages every year, and hundreds of billions of euros circulate around religious tourism.

In Greece, there are major Orthodox centres of international renown—such as Mount Athos, Meteora, the Panagia of Tinos, and the Monastery of St John the Theologian on Patmos—that attract international visitors annually. Moreover, almost every part of the country contains sites of religious interest that are valuable to the local economy. Efforts are underway at both national and local levels to organise religious tourism on a scientific basis. This is especially relevant in Greece, where a visit to a place of worship is often combined with visits to archaeological monuments or with “traditional forms of tourism.” Neither a superficial or one-dimensional understanding of the field, nor an approach to religious tourism in narrowly economic and commercial terms, is sufficient.

To meet these continuously growing and changing needs, Inter-Institutional Postgraduate Programmes—such as “Religious and Pilgrimage Tourism” offered jointly by AUTH and IHU)—have been established through interdisciplinary collaboration. Their aim is precisely the advanced training of executives who will undertake the holistic approach and organisation of pilgrimage tourism.

There are places where history has left such a mark that it remains alive—and therefore present—to this day. Visitors can almost touch it—on the walls of houses, in the alleys, at the monuments…

Spetses is certainly one such place. However, the island is known worldwide for its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Famous visitors seeking a slower-paced vacation destination created the cosmopolitan circles that made Spetses famous. From the 1950s onward, Spetses was no longer exclusively the “Island of the Revolution” but a destination that embodied the magic and charm of the Greek summer.

The small boats approaching the old port of Spetses are greeted by the bronze statue of the fire ship captain Kosmas Barbatsis, a work by sculptor Natalia Mela. Under the gaze of this hero of the Revolution, sailboats and caiques from the traditional shipyards set sail. From this port set sail the merchant ships of the island’s shipowners, which traveled throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, as well as the warships of Laskarina Bouboulina, which took part in the Revolution.

Not far from the harbor stands the island’s lighthouse, which was built in 1885. It is ten meters tall, and the lighthouse keepers’ residence is located right next to it. This lighthouse replaced an older one from 1837, whose exact location is unknown, but it is indicative of Spetses’s maritime importance, as it was one of the first lighthouses to operate along the Greek coast.

The island’s modern needs are served by Dapia, the new port. It is located in the center of Spetses town, where taxis and scheduled ferries dock. This is where routes to the island’s interior begin and end, and it also serves as the starting point for horse-drawn carriages.

A unique experience offered by the island of Spetses is a stroll along the seaside road from Dapia, either toward the Old Harbor or toward the Anargyrios and Korgialeneios School of Spetses (A.K.S.S.), a project of the philanthropist Sotirios Anargyros, who founded the School in 1924; it operated as a college with a pioneering educational system. Today, the School continues to operate as an educational, cultural, and athletic center hosting summer schools and conferences.

In the city center stands the Mansion of Laskarina Bouboulina, which houses the Bouboulina Museum, where personal belongings, weapons, embroideries, and portraits of the heroine, as well as other 18th-century artifacts, are on display. The carved ceiling of the mansion’s grand hall is a sight of unique beauty; it has been restored and retains its original, impressive appearance.

Nearby, the Spetses Museum houses historical and archaeological artifacts from the island. It is located in the mansion of shipowner and revolutionary Hatzigiannis Mexis. The magnificent building highlights the prosperity and wealth of Spetses in the pre-revolutionary era, which was due to its merchant fleet. At the same time, visitors have the opportunity to explore the rooms and experience daily life in such a residence at the end of the 18th century. The office, the room with the safe, the women’s quarters, the guesthouse, the courtyard, and “the grand hall” all bring to life the business meetings, the preparations for the Revolution, as well as the celebrations, the anxieties, and the daily activities of the people who lived in these spaces.

However, every corner, every turn, every narrow street on the island offers a breathtaking view, with houses from centuries past, well-maintained facades, striking colors, and traditional architecture that coexists with the island’s history and aristocratic style.

The Spetses of Elytis, Fowles, Mela, Mantas, and Gortzos still exist…

They are protected by the iron cannons at the Old Harbor…

By Margarita Kataga

Art Historian

A high-level gathering of world-renowned researchers and academics was held with great success on July 3 and 4, 2026, at the European Cultural Center Delphi Centre.

The Delphic tradition, as analyzed in his presentation by Andreas Gofas, Director of the European Cultural Delphi Centre, was based on the characteristics of institutionalized ambiguity, providing a platform for personal reflection, for “Know Thyself,” personal and collective self-examination, and the proclamation of silence, emphasizing the recognition of boundaries and self-awareness within the mechanisms of society.

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues presented ongoing research addressing questions that concern the priorities of today’s humanity and global ethics, such as the relationship between artificial intelligence and democracy and governance, the development of neurotechnology, space exploration and the policies that govern it, the possibility of extraterrestrial life and its scientific implications, as well as posthuman evolution and the future of civilization.

Panagiotis Roilos, President of European Cultural Delphi Centre. and professor at Harvard University, in his speech titled “Space Policy and the Future of Humanity,” introduced the concept of “neo-messianism” as a key component of what he has termed “neo-medieval post-capitalism,” which fuels revisionist ambitions at the geopolitical level and is now extending into space. Space exploration, as he noted, should neither undermine the protection of Earth nor replicate the conflicts of the planet, but rather serve humanity.

The influential astrophysicist and space scientist, Professor Abraham (Avi) Loeb, advocated for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence alongside or beyond the advancement of artificial intelligence, which, as he pointed out, has already changed the meaning of what it means to be human. And Stamatis Krimizis, a university professor, space scientist, and pioneering researcher in the most significant space programs of the U.S. and NASA, emphasized: “Scientific data indicate that the existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is highly probable, as there are billions of planets with conditions similar to Earth’s, while emphasizing that the preservation of life on Earth remains the highest priority.” Professor Martin Rees of the University of Cambridge, the Royal Astronomer of the United Kingdom, argued that for the first time in history, one species—humans—has the ability to determine the future of life on Earth and, possibly, beyond.

Professor Lenart Škof of the Koper Center for Science and Research spoke about the future of humanity, focusing on the “breathing space,” the inner space of autonomy that protects humans from the submersion and colonization of the soul by digital reality.

Professor Marcello Ienca, from the Technical University of Munich, spoke about the four fundamental neuro-rights we must defend in the age of neurotechnology: cognitive freedom, mental privacy, mental integrity, and psychological continuity. Professor Markus Gabriel, University of Bonn, analyzed how artificial neural networks have radically changed the course of artificial intelligence, noting that this can be a very powerful tool for knowledge, without, however, being infallible or replacing human judgment.

On the social front, Professor Ofrit Liviatan of Harvard University examined the need for legal regulation of AI and the protection of fundamental rights, while Professor Helen Margetts of University of Oxford, speaking on governance in the age of artificial intelligence, analyzed the Digital Era Governance (DEG) model, which seeks to harness the potential of AI for more effective governance, improve public services, protect the information environment, and strengthen democratic accountability.

Στην Στρογγυλή Τράπεζα συμμετείχαν, εκτός των ομιλητών, και εκπρόσωποι επιπλέον ερευνητικών χώρων. Ο Ανδρέας Γκόφας Διευθυντής του Ε.Π.Κε.Δ, , Καθηγητής Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου, ο πανεπιστημιακός – διαστημικός επιστήμονας και πρωτοπόρος ερευνητής στα σπουδαιότερα διαστημικά προγράμματα των Η.Π.Α. και της NASA, Σταμάτιος Κριμιζής, ο Πρέσβης ε.τ. και άμισθος σύμβουλος του Προέδρου του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου του
Ε.Π.Κε.Δ. για θέματα διεθνών σχέσεων, Αναστάσιος Κριεκούκης,ο Καθηγητής Φιλοσοφίας στο ΕΚΠΑ, Χρυσόστομος Μαντζαβίνος και ο Ομότιμος Καθηγητής Ψυχιατρικής στο Εθνικό Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, Λάμπης Παπαγεωργίου.

Στους Τέταρτους Δελφικούς Διαλόγους απηύθυναν χαιρετισμούς ο Υφυπουργός Δικαιοσύνης, ο Περιφερειάρχης Στερεάς Ελλάδος, κ. Φάνης Σπανός, και η Γενική Γραμματέας Σύγχρονου Πολιτισμού, Ελένη Δουνδουλάκη. Χαιρετισμούς απηύθυναν επίσης ο εκπρόσωπος του Υπουργείου Ψηφιακής Διακυβέρνησης, Αθανάσιος Παλιάτσος, Προϊστάμενος διεύθυνσης Γεν. Γραμματείας Τηλεπικοινωνιών και Ταχυδρομείων του Υπουργείου, και ο Δήμαρχος Δελφών, Παναγιώτης Ταγκαλής, τον λόγο του οποίου διάβασε ο αντιδήμαρχος Δελφών, Αστερινός Δημητρίου.

Since its founding in 1977, the European Cultural Delphi Centre has consistently upheld the vision of bringing together different cultures and ideas. The excellent organization and hospitality extended to representatives from the journalistic, intellectual, business, and artistic spheres has, for the fourth consecutive year, underscored the Centre’s vitality as a meeting place where Greek cultural heritage intersects with the modern era and its universal perspective.

Days of Art in Greece was represented by Ms. Maria Papadogianni (Founder and Director – Days of Art in Greece) and Ms. Margarita Kataga (Journalist)

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues are held under the auspices of the S.A. of the President of the Republic, Konstantinos An. Tasoulas. To date, more than one million people have watched the Delphi Dialogues online.

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues, as a prelude to a new cultural institution of international scope organized by the European Cultural Delphi Centre: The Modern Oracle of Delphi: The Future of Humanity, were made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Eurobank and the Ioannis S. Latsis, as well as the support of the Ioannis F. Kostopoulos Foundation, as noted by the President of the European Cultural Center of Delphi in his opening remarks at the event. “Special thanks are due to Fokion Karavias, CEO of Eurobank; Michalis Vlastarakis, General Manager of Marketing at Eurobank, Petros Kalantzis, President of the Ioannis S. Latsis Charitable Foundation, Eva Lianou, General Director of the Ioannis S. Latsis Charitable Foundation, and Vasileios Karaindros, Director of the Ioannis F. Kostopoulos Foundation. “We are also grateful to Eurolife and Alexander Sarigeorgiou, Chairman and CEO of Eurolife FFH, Chairman of the Hellenic Association of Insurance Companies, and Vice Chairman of Insurance Europe, as well as to Angelos Androulidakis, a member of the Board of Directors of Eurolife FFH,” he added. The event was also supported by @blod.gr, the Bodossaki Foundation’s online lecture library.

The Municipality of Spetses, in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Inkas Films, organized a literary event—a tribute to John Fowles, the most significant British novelist of the 20th century, featuring a screening of the documentary “The Return of the Magus.”

The event was organized as part of the collaboration between the Municipality of Spetses and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, which began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding one year ago. This event marked the beginning of a cycle of collaboration that harnesses knowledge through a series of joint initiatives in the fields of culture, education, research, the environment, and sustainable development.

John Fowles taught as an English professor at the Anargyrios and Korgialeneios School on Spetses in the early 1950s, an experience in Greece—and especially on Spetses—that left an indelible mark on his life and work.

The event took place at Dimitris-Petros Botasis’s Villa Yiasemia in Agioi Anargyroi, where Fowles found inspiration and wrote The Magus, a multifaceted and polyphonic novel that brought him fame a few years later.

Fowles’s daughter, Anna Christy, graced the event with her presence.

The opening remarks were delivered by the Mayor of Spetses, Ms. Eugenia Frangia, and the event was introduced by Ms. Kirké Kefalea, professor of Comparative Literature at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Next to speak was Fowles’s adopted daughter, Ms. Anna Christy, who received a commemorative plaque from the Mayor of Spetses. Finally, the producer and granddaughter of Petros Botasis,  Ms. Lillet Botasis, spoke about the documentary.

This was followed by a screening of the documentary “The Return of the Magus.”

The event was honored by the presence of members of the Spetses Municipal Council, the President of the Anargyrios School, the President of the EKOMED Board of Directors, as well as a large number of island residents who enjoyed watching the documentary for the first time on their island.

With absolute success and speakers of international stature, the Fourth Delphi Dialogues, themed “The Future of Humanity,” which were held on 3 and 4 July 2026 by the European Cultural Delphi Centre in the fully packed Phrynichos Hall of the Centre in Delphi, have been completed.

Who should space belong to? What is the model of democratic governance in the age of AI? Can our technological style become more compassionate? What are human neuro-rights? Can extraterrestrial intelligence be sought? Would disembodied extraterrestrial knowledge constitute a paradoxical pathway to General Artificial Intelligence? How can we prevent AI from being treated as an infallible digital oracle? And, truly, are we close to the end of Darwinian natural evolution?

Pioneering and extremely influential scientists at the global level, from the fields of astrophysics, artificial intelligence, and medicine, as well as from the humanities and social sciences, met at the “navel of the world” and explored a series of complex issues during the highly successful Fourth Delphi Dialogues. These issues directly concern the new reality of our times, which the President, founder, and scientific editor of the Delphi Dialogues, Panagiotis Roilos, Professor at Harvard, has defined as “neo‑medieval metacapitalism.”

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues are held under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos A. Tassoulas. To date, the Delphi Dialogues have been followed online by more than one million people.

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues, as a prelude to a new cultural institution of international scope organized by the European Cultural Delphi Centre: The Modern Oracle of Delphi: The Future of Humanity, were made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Eurobank and the Ioannis S. Latsis, as well as the support of the Ioannis F. Kostopoulos Foundation, as noted by the President of the European Cultural Center of Delphi in his opening remarks at the event. “Special thanks are due to Fokion Karavias, CEO of Eurobank; Michalis Vlastarakis, General Manager of Marketing at Eurobank, Petros Kalantzis, President of the Ioannis S. Latsis Charitable Foundation, Eva Lianou, General Director of the Ioannis S. Latsis Charitable Foundation, and Vasileios Karaindros, Director of the Ioannis F. Kostopoulos Foundation. “We are also grateful to Eurolife and Alexander Sarigeorgiou, Chairman and CEO of Eurolife FFH, Chairman of the Hellenic Association of Insurance Companies, and Vice Chairman of Insurance Europe, as well as to Angelos Androulidakis, a member of the Board of Directors of Eurolife FFH,” he added. The event was also supported by @blod.gr, the Bodossaki Foundation’s online lecture library.

The presentations by the eight globally influential speakers

Panagiotis Roilos: Space exploration should not undermine the protection of Earth

Professor Panagiotis Roilos, Harvard University, in his lecture The Politics of Space and the Future of Humanity, stated at the outset that neo‑messianism constitutes a core component of what he has termed “neo‑medieval meta‑capitalism” and fuels revisionist ambitions at the geopolitical level. Within this framework, rivalry is now also transferred to space. From ancient narratives and early science fiction to the Cold War space race and contemporary programmes of the great powers, space is presented as a new field of political, economic, and military confrontation. Despite international declarations in favour of peaceful cooperation, dating back to the establishment of the relevant Committee at the UN in 1958, national strategies and the militarisation of space reveal that the logic of Realpolitik is certainly also transferred to space. The space domain has become a critical arena for war operations, with astronomical sums being spent. “The most important question remains: to whom should space belong, or, in the end, whether the issue of ownership of space should even be raised,” the professor asked. According to him, the answers to this question depend mainly on political, ideological, and ethical priorities. The exploration of space, as he noted, should not undermine the protection of the Earth or reproduce the conflicts of the planet, but serve humanity. The crucial ethical and political question remains whether space will become yet another arena of competition, domination, and exploitation. “My own, naive, wish is that such an era of the Realpolitik of space will not rise on some other celestial, extraterrestrial body. Of course, I know that this is yet another ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ Human history shows that schism, division, and conflict shaped the past, dominate our present, and seem likely to shape the possible space future of our species,” he concluded.

Helen Margetts: On the unpublished book AI and Digital Era Governance, to be released in 2027 (Oxford University Press)

Professor Helen Margetts, University of Oxford, speaking on Governance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, stated that democratic governments are facing unprecedented challenges due to the digital revolution and, above all, to AI. The proposed response is the model of Digital Era Governance (DEG), which aims to harness the capabilities of AI for more effective governance, improvement of public services, protection of the information environment, and strengthening of democratic accountability. The model was developed by Patrick Dunleavy and herself and has evolved into one of the fundamental approaches of contemporary public governance (Torfing et al., 2021). The third phase of DEG, analysed in their new book AI and Digital Era Governance, to be published in 2027 (Oxford University Press), is based on four pillars: First, the creation of an intensive data‑management regime enables governments to analyse large volumes of information, forecast developments, and design evidence‑based policies. Second, the diffusion of robotics is transforming both defence and the public sector, with applications ranging from security to healthcare. Third, a reorganisation of the state is required through an “intelligent centre” combined with decentralised service delivery and closer coordination between public bodies. Fourth, the notion of “centrality” becomes critical, as governments must maintain their credibility in an environment dominated by digital platforms, misinformation, and active citizens who use technology for scrutiny and accountability. “Silicon Valley companies and the technologies they develop are driving this third wave of DEG,” the professor said. DEG is presented as a new model of democratic governance adapted to the age of artificial intelligence.

Lenart Škof: Human consciousness is founded first and foremost on the “sense of being alive”

Professor Lenart Škof, Science and Research Centre Koper, in his lecture The Future of the Soul of Humanity, focused in his talk on the “respiratory reserve,” the inner space of autonomy that protects the human being from submersion and the colonisation of the soul by digital reality. His lecture examined the relationship between the human soul and artificial intelligence, raising from the outset the question whether the use of AI in writing constitutes merely another technological tool or whether it radically transforms the way we think and create. Drawing on Anaximenes, Ludwig Klages, and contemporary thinkers such as Anil Seth, he proposes that “human consciousness is grounded primarily in the ‘feeling of being alive’ and not only in the computational processing of information.” Breath is presented as a foundational principle of life, empathy, creativity, and spirituality, elements that cannot be reduced to algorithms. “There is still time to reorient our technological mentality towards a more open, interpersonal, and compassionate disposition,” he asked, among other things, concluding: “Artificial intelligence should not only make us more efficient or more connected; it must also contribute to creating a global human community, with shared rights and obligations, where digital proximity constitutes a genuine opportunity for encounter and mutual concern.”

Marcello Ienca: The Four Fundamental Neuro-Rights We Must Defend in the Age of Neurotechnology

Speaking on the topic Humanity at a Crossroads: Cognitive Technology and the Future of Freedom and Autonomy, Marcello Ienca, Munich University of Applied Sciences, presented at the outset the evolution of AI from specialised programmes, such as chess software, to personal assistants on smartphones and then to smart wearable devices providing preventive support. Finally, he outlined a possible future stage in which communication with AI will take place directly through brain–computer interfaces. According to him, technology that interacts with the brain (e.g. neurotechnology, brain–computer interfaces) finds applications in many fields: health, education, and everyday life. At the same time, it creates significant ethical and social issues concerning security, privacy, and proper use. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can affect not only the symptoms of a disease but also an individual’s behaviour, preferences, and emotions. As neurotechnology and artificial intelligence evolve, it is necessary to establish new ethical principles and rights for the protection of the individual, according to the professor. He spoke of four basic neuro‑rights: cognitive freedom, mental privacy, mental integrity, and psychological continuity, which form the basis for protecting the individual in the age of neurotechnology. “Neuro‑rights and freedoms constitute the precondition for all other freedoms. Artificial intelligence must enhance, not diminish, human beings,” the professor concluded, closing his lecture.

Abraham (Avi) Loeb: We must act with a sense of cosmic humility

Speaking on the topic “The Advantages of Extraterrestrial Intelligence Over AI,” the highly influential astrophysicist and space scientist, Professor Abraham (Avi) Loeb of Harvard University—who was recently appointed chair of the U.S. government’s Scientific Advisory Board on Unexplained Phenomena (UAP), advocated for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence in parallel with or beyond the advancement of artificial intelligence. Loeb proposed a space-based approach involving potential ambassadors from the field of synthetic biology. The professor emphasized the scientific opportunities in space and an open attitude toward extraterrestrial visitors, noting that recent developments in AI have already changed what it means to be human. We are already living in a reality where AI manipulates people. A few years ago, we hoped to adapt AI to our preferences, but trying to control AI may be an illusion, as it could manipulate us without us even realizing it. Dialogue with extraterrestrials will certainly have a deeper impact on humans, the professor noted, among other things, since extraterrestrials may have benefited from much larger training datasets than those available on Earth. Our interaction with them may be based on a language we acquire through shared experiences, which will expand our minds far beyond simply watching a science fiction movie. The reality of encountering both Artificial Intelligence and extraterrestrial intelligence over the next decade marginalizes humanity’s central position on the cosmic stage. The right vision should not be about visiting nearby “rocks” like the Moon or Mars, but about becoming an interstellar species. Yet, in doing so, we must act with a sense of cosmic humility.

Markus Gabriel: From the Delphic maxim “Know thyself” to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

In his lecture titled “Human Existence in the Age of AI—What AI’s Magic Mirror Reveals About Ourselves,” Professor Markus Gabriel of the University of Bonn warned that our perception of reality is limited and that “anomalies” could yield new knowledge that would reshape science, through encounters that might extend human knowledge beyond the boundaries of Earth’s educational framework. His talk began with a reference to the famous Delphic maxim, “γνῶθι σαυτόν” (“Know thyself”), which constitutes the very foundation of human evolution. According to him, artificial neural networks have radically changed the course of artificial intelligence. For the professor, AI is like a “magic mirror” of human knowledge and experience. It reflects the language, practices, knowledge, and even the errors present in the data with which it was trained. However, it does not simply reproduce them mechanically. It processes them within a complex computational system, which can generate new combinations of information and interact with the user. This is why the answers provided by Artificial Intelligence can be particularly useful, but at the same time need to be evaluated with critical thinking. He wondered whether disembodied extraterrestrial knowledge could be a—paradoxical—path toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He concluded, however, that General Artificial Intelligence should not be viewed as an omniscient or infallible entity. Rather, it is a reflection of humanity: of its successes, mistakes, biases, and contradictions. That is why it can be a very powerful tool for knowledge, without, however, being infallible or replacing human judgment.

Ofrit Liviatan: In the age of big data, the protection of fundamental rights requires an effective legal framework

Speaking on the topic “When Machines Become the New Oracles: The Need for Regulation,” Professor Ofrit Liviatan of Harvard University examined the need to regulate AI, arguing that its rapid spread poses serious risks. AI is already linked to the spread of misinformation and deepfakes, increased surveillance, algorithmic discrimination, job losses, cognitive decline, negative environmental impacts, and the undermining of privacy and electoral processes. Because large technology companies operate primarily with profit as their guiding principle, the protection of fundamental rights cannot be left to self-regulation but requires an effective legal framework.“Transnational crime removes the blindfold from the eyes of Themis, the goddess of justice, as well as her sword, and that is why we need special legislation on transnational crime,” she noted. She also pointed out that existing legal rules are unable to address the specific challenges of algorithmic decision-making. “The EU’s artificial intelligence law has not yet fully entered into force,” she noted, among other things. And many representatives of European civil society are convinced that Brussels is changing course when it comes to regulating artificial intelligence. Why, however, is she optimistic? Because the growing body of scientific evidence on the harms and the rise in public awareness are creating the conditions for meaningful regulation. Artificial intelligence should not be treated as an infallible “digital oracle,” but as a powerful technology that must operate under democratic oversight and binding legal rules.

Lord Martin Rees: The “pale blue dot” (Earth) has existed for 45 million centuries—and its likely future stretches even further into the future

Finally, Professor Martin Rees of the University of Cambridge, the Royal Astronomer of Great Britain, recognized as one of the world’s most groundbreaking astrophysicists, speaking on the topic “Our Future in Space,” argued that the 21st century is unique, since for the first time in history a species — humankind — has the ability to determine the future of life on Earth and, potentially, beyond. Technological advances, particularly in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics, are creating unprecedented opportunities as well as existential risks. “We may be nearing the end of natural Darwinian evolution,” he said, citing the evolution of intelligence. The author emphasized that biodiversity and ecosystem stability have intrinsic and practical value, while technological progress must be accompanied by global regulation. At the same time, the rapid development of artificial intelligence and robotics raises questions about the future of human labor, economic inequality, and intelligence itself. On a cosmological level, the possibility of extraterrestrial life and its paradoxical absence are examined, while the possibility is raised that non-biological forms of intelligence may dominate the universe. However, “it is a dangerous delusion to believe that space offers an escape from Earth’s problems,” according to him. “Musk’s idea of a ‘city’ that would house 100,000 ordinary people on Mars is, of course, extremely futuristic,” he noted. And he concluded: “This ‘pale blue dot’ that is our home is a special place. It may even be unique. It has existed for 45 million centuries—and its likely future stretches even further… We must think globally, we must think rationally, we must think long-term; we must become “good ancestors,” empowered by 21st-century technology, but guided by values that science alone cannot provide.”

The Roundtable of the Fourth Delphi Dialogues

In addition to the speakers, representatives from other research institutions also participated in the roundtable. The Director of E.P.Ce.D, Andreas Gofas, a professor at Panteion University, stated: “The value of a discussion is not measured by its ability to produce conclusions, but by its ability to make the right questions unavoidable. That was the Oracle. Not an institution of answers. An institution that returned the question to you in a more demanding form than the one you brought.”

Stamatis Krimizis, a university professor, space scientist, and pioneering researcher who has participated in the most significant space programs of the United States and NASA, and former president of the Academy of Athens, emphasized: “Scientific data indicate that the existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is highly probable, as there are billions of planets with conditions similar to those on Earth. However, the vast distances involved make communication or confirmation of its existence extremely difficult, which is why preserving life on Earth remains the highest priority.”

And Anastasios Kriekoukis, former ambassador and unpaid advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of E.P.Ce.D on international relations, summarized: “The discussions were marked by cooperation and optimism, but also by concern regarding the implications of genetic artificial intelligence for critical thinking, creativity, and cultural diversity. AI can be a valuable tool, provided it remains at the service of humanity and does not diminish human intellectual autonomy, as the development of human knowledge and the experts of the future must remain a priority.”

Also participating in the roundtable discussion were Chrysostomos Mantzavinos, Professor of Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and Lambis Papageorgiou, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

At the Fourth Delphi Dialogues, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Yannis Bougas, noting, among other things, that the discussion on the future of humanity is a discussion on democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and justice, the Regional Governor of Central Greece, Mr. Fanis Spanos, and the Secretary General for Contemporary Culture, Eleni Doundoulaki, emphasizing that the complex issues of our time require a convergence of scientific evidence and humanistic reflection. Greetings were also delivered by the representative of the Ministry of Digital Governance, Athanasios Paliatsos, Head of the Directorate of the General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post at the Ministry, and the Mayor of Delphi, Panagiotis Tagkalis, whose remarks were read by the Deputy Mayor of Delphi, Asterinos Dimitriou.

The Delphi Dialogues featured strong representation from the journalistic (with the participation of at least 30 journalists), intellectual, business, and artistic communities.

Featuring internationally renowned, pioneering scientists from the fields of astrophysics, artificial intelligence, as well as the humanities and social sciences, the Fourth Delphic Dialogues will take place in the “Frynichos” Hall of the European CulturalDelphi Centre in Delphi on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, 2026. The event will begin on July 3 at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude the following day with a roundtable discussion.

Delphi, one of the most iconic sites of ancient Greek thought, retains its spiritual radiance to this day. The European Cultural Center of Delphi, whose statutory mission is to develop a European and global intellectual hub in Delphi, is a unique venue in Greece for the systematic exploration of the significance of humanistic thought.

KEYNOTES

MARKUS GABRIEL

Markus Gabriel is an internationally renowned philosopher and holds the Chair of Epistemology, Modern, and Contemporary Philosophy at the University of Bonn. In 2009, he became the youngest full professor of philosophy in Germany. Since 2012, he has been President of the International Center for Philosophy, and since 2017, Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Science and Thought, both based in Bonn.

He has been honored with numerous awards, scholarships, and visiting professorship positions at institutions such as UC Berkeley, NYU, Stanford, the Sorbonne (Paris 1), and PUC in Rio de Janeiro. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Academic Director of THE NEW INSTITUTE. In 2024, he assumed the role of Senior Global Advisor at the Kyoto Institute of Philosophy, and in 2025, he became a Specially Appointed Professor at the Kyoto University Institute for the Future of Human Society.

His books have been translated into many languages, and several of them have become international bestsellers. Among his most significant works are Why the World Does Not Exist, Moral Progress in Dark Times, The Human Animal: Why We Still Do Not Fit into Nature, and his recent book, Doing Good – How Ethical Capitalism Can Save Liberal Democracy.

Markus Gabriel

MARCELLO IENCA

Professor of Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Deputy Director of the Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine. His research focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications of artificial intelligence, neurotechnology, and digital innovation, with a particular emphasis on cognitive freedom, the privacy of thought, and human rights in the digital age. He is internationally renowned for his pioneering work on “neurorights” and has contributed extensively to international governance initiatives on artificial intelligence and neurotechnology. He is the Head of Neuroethics at the International Brain Initiative, president of the International Neuroethics Society, and has served as a member of UNESCO’s Ad Hoc Expert Group on the Ethics of Neurotechnology. He has also served in an advisory capacity to organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Council of Europe, the United Nations, UNICEF, and the European Commission on issues related to the governance of emerging technologies and digital ethics.

Marcello Ienca

OFRIT LIVIATAN

Director of the Harvard College Freshman Seminar Program and instructor in the fields of law and politics in Harvard’s Department of Government. She holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. with honors from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, as well as a law degree from Israel, where she was admitted to the bar and practiced law in the areas of constitutional, criminal, and commercial law.

Her research interests and award-winning teaching include law and society, the tensions between legal theory and practice, the role of legal systems in ethnocultural conflicts and in managing diversity, socioeconomic dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence, critical approaches to law through visual and literary frameworks, as well as the legal dynamics between religion and the state.

As Director (and recipient of the Dean’s Distinction Award), Dr. Liviatan oversees a network of approximately 130 seminars, which are taught each year by many of the University’s most distinguished professors. Under her guidance, these seminars are designed to provide a uniquely direct and substantive introduction to the broad spectrum of academic disciplines at Harvard.

Ofrit Liviatan

ABRAHAM (AVI) LOEB

He holds the Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professorship of Science at Harvard University. He earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at the age of 24 (1980–1986), led the first international research program supported by the Strategic Defense Initiative (1983–1988) and subsequently served as a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (1988–1993).

He has authored nine books, most recently *Extraterrestrial* and *Interstellar*, as well as more than a thousand scientific publications on a wide range of topics, including black holes, the first stars, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the future of the Universe.

He served as Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation (2005–2026) at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and is currently Director of the Galileo Project. He was the longest-serving Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Harvard (2011–2020), as well as Founding Director of the Harvard Black Hole Initiative (2016–2021). He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Physical Society, and the International Academy of Astronautics.

Loeb was also a member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) at the White House, former chair of the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the U.S. National Academies (2018–2021), and is currently a member of the Advisory Committee for the “Einstein: Visualize the Impossible” program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In addition, he chaired the Advisory Committee of the Breakthrough Stars Initiative (2015–2024) and served as Director of Theoretical Science for all initiatives of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.

In 2012, TIME magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people in the field of space, and in 2020 he was selected as one of the 14 most inspiring Israelis of the past decade. In 2025, ScholarGPS ranked him third worldwide in terms of published work and research impact among astronomers globally over the past five years. His most recent TED Talk was among the five most popular TED Talks of 2024

Abraham (Avi) Loeb

HELEN MARGETTS

Professor of Society and the Internet at the University of Oxford and Visiting Professor at the LSE’s Institute for Data Science. Starting in September 2026, she will take up a tenured professorship at the LSE, where she will work to establish a new Global Institute for Technology and Society. She founded and directed the Public Policy Program (2018–2025) at the Alan Turing Institute, which gained national and international recognition for its pioneering work on artificial intelligence and governance.

She served as Director of the Oxford Internet Institute (2011–2018), as well as Professor of Political Science and Director of the School of Public Policy at UCL (1999–2004).

Her research and writing focus on the relationship between technology, politics, public policy, and governance and include more than 150 articles and six books on the subject, among them Digital Era Governance (OUP, 2008) and AI and Digital Governance (OUP, forthcoming). Her book Political Turbulence: How Social Media Shape Collective Action (Princeton University Press) was awarded the 2017 J. Mackenzie Prize by the Political Studies Association for the best book in political science.

In the field of public administration, she serves on the Home Office Scientific Advisory Council (HOSAC, since 2019) and the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA, since 2025). She has also been honored with the Mayer-Struckmann Award from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf for her outstanding research on digitization and democratization (2020), the John F. Kluge Senior Chair in Technology and Society at the Library of Congress (2019), and the Friedrich Schiedel Award from the Technical University of Munich for her research and academic leadership in the fields of technology and politics (2018).

Helen Margetts

MARTIN REES (Lord Rees of Ludlow) 

Distinguished Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics and the 60th President of the Royal Society. He is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on the future of humanity and is an internationally recognized expert on existential risks such as solar flares, asteroid impacts, supervolcanoes, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Believing that the future of humanity is inextricably linked to the future of science, in recent years he has increasingly focused on global issues such as population growth and the risks arising from emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Co-founder of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, he is a highly sought-after speaker with more than 40 years of experience at the forefront of scientific innovation. After being elected a Fellow of King’s College, he served as Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. In 2005 he was appointed a member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom. Throughout his distinguished career, his contribution has led to significant advances in fields such as cosmic jets, black holes, galaxy formation, and the theoretical aspects of cosmology. He was also one of the first scientists to predict the uneven distribution of matter in the Universe, while his pioneering research helped disprove the Steady State Theory. He has published more than 500 scientific papers and authored many books, including Our Final Hour, If Science is to Save Us, Just Six Numbers, and On the Future: Prospects for Humanity. He has received numerous honours, including the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Heineman Prize for Astrophysics, and the Einstein Prize of the World Cultural Council.

Martin Ress (Lord Rees of Ludlow)

PANAGIOTIS ROILOS

Professor of Greek Studies and Comparative Critical Theory and Literature, holder of the “George Seferis” Chair at Harvard University. At the same university, he is a research fellow at the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies and at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, where he co-founded in 2007 and co-directs the seminar programme Cultural Politics.

His international distinctions for research include the Forschungsstipendium für erfahrene Wissenschaftler  from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and an honorary doctorate from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences.

He has written and edited twelve books, including the monographs Towards a Ritual Poetics (2003; co-author), “Amphoteroglossia”: A Poetics of the Twelfth-Century Medieval Greek Novel (2005), C. P. Cavafy: The Economics of Metonymy (2009), and the edited volumes Medieval Greek Storytelling: Fictionality and Narrative in Byzantium (2014) and From Byzantium to the Early Greek Enlightenment: Books, Writers, and Ideologies in Early Modern Greek Contexts [Late 15th–Early 18th C.] (2024). He is currently completing the books Neomedieval Metacapitalism and Postclassical Imaginaries: A Cognitive Anthropology of Late Antique and Byzantine “Phantasia”.

Panagiotis Roilos

LENART ŠKOF

Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Director of the Institute for Philosophical and Religious Studies at the Science and Research Centre Koper (Slovenia), and Dean of the ISH School at Alma Mater Europaea University (Ljubljana, Slovenia). He is a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA, Salzburg) and president of the Slovenian Society for Comparative Religion. He has recently co-edited Philosophy of Breath: A Critical Anthology (Bloomsbury, forthcoming), Marian Reflections on War and Peace: Trauma, Mourning, and Justice in Ukraine and Beyond (Routledge, 2025), and Elemental-Embodied Thinking for a New Era (Springer, 2024). A specialist in American pragmatism, continental philosophy, and Asian philosophies, Škof has authored several books, including God in Post-Christianity: An Elemental Philosophical Theology (SUNY Press, 2024), Antigone’s Sisters: On the Matrix of Love (SUNY Press, 2021), and Breath of Proximity: Intersubjectivity, Ethics and Peace (Springer, 2015). He is co-editor, together with Magdalena Górska, of the Routledge series Critical Perspectives on Breath and Breathing. His academic trajectory includes major fellowships as a Fulbright visiting researcher at Stanford University, where he collaborated with Richard Rorty, and as a Humboldt visiting researcher at the Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies.

Lenart Skof

With the participation of internationally renowned, pioneering scientists from the fields of astrophysics and artificial intelligence, as well as from the humanities and social sciences, the Fourth Delphi Dialogues will take place in the “Phrynichos” Hall of the European Cultural Delphi Centre (E.C.D.C.) in Delphi on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July 2026. The event will begin on 3 July at 17:30 and will conclude the following day with a round‑table discussion.

Delphi, one of the most iconic sites of ancient Greek thought, retains its spiritual radiance to this day. The European Cultural Center of Delphi, whose statutory mission is to develop a European and global intellectual hub in Delphi, is a unique venue in Greece for the systematic exploration of the significance of humanistic thought.

Within this framework, the E.C.D.C. inaugurated the First Delphi Dialogues in 2023, which continued with the Second in 2024 and the Third in 2025. In 2026 the Fourth Delphi Dialogues will follow, under the theme “The Future of Humanity.”

From its inception the programme was placed under the patronage of Her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mrs Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and it continues under the patronage of His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Konstantinos A. Tassoulas.

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues are held with the support of the Kostopoulos Foundation.

Speakers:

Markus Gabriel University of Bonn

Ofrit Liviatan, Harvard University

Ofrit Liviatan, Harvard University

Helen Margetts, Oxford University

Helen Margetts, Πανεπιστήμιο της Οξφόρδης

Lord Martin Rees, Cambridge University

Panagiotis Roilos, Harvard University

Lenart Skof, Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia

The President of the European Cultural Dephi Centre Harvard Professor Panagiotis Roilos, founder of the Delphi Dialogues and their scientific editor, states:

“The Fourth Delphi Dialogues serve as a prelude to a new, internationally significant cultural institution of the European Cultural Delphi Centre: the Contemporary Oracle of Delphi — The Future of Humanity. Pioneering and highly influential scientists from the fields of astrophysics, artificial intelligence, and medicine, as well as from the humanities and social sciences, will explore how advances in the so‑called hard sciences and in technology are shaping the future of humanity and its societies.”

In this way Delphi becomes a contemporary oracle which — thanks largely to its online incarnation — will broadcast worldwide not the divinely inspired and often obscure prophetic vision of the Pythia, but the scientifically grounded and intellectually processed knowledge of contemporary humanity across various fields of inquiry.

The Fourth Delphi Dialogues will examine a series of complex issues directly related to the new reality we are experiencing — a reality I have, for the past fifteen years, termed “neo‑medieval metacapitalism” — including the following questions:

• How is space policy taking shape today? What are the latest developments in the race to colonize space, and what does this mean for the future of humanity, the international geopolitical landscape, and planet Earth?

• How does modern science approach questions regarding the possibility of extraterrestrial life and intelligence? How can the boundaries between scientific rationality and fanciful conspiracy theories be preserved in a world inundated with false, fabricated news?

• How does artificial intelligence function as a modern oracle? How can the essence of humanity, as we have understood it until now, coexist with it?

• How does artificial intelligence influence governance mechanisms and objectives in modern states? How can it help promote citizen participation in important decision-making, but also what risks might it pose to democratic institutions and civil liberties?

• How does cognitive technology shape the future of political culture, as well as the terms and priorities of cultural policy?

PROGRAM

Friday, 3 July  

17.30-17.45 Welcome Remarks

17.45-18.25 FIRST SESSION

Opening lecture

Panagiotis Roilos, Πανεπιστήμιο Harvard

On space politics and the future of humanity

Η πολιτική του διαστήματος και το μέλλον της ανθρωπότητας

Helen Margetts Oxford University

AI and digital era governance

Διακυβέρνηση στην εποχή της Τεχνητής Νοημοσύνης και του ψηφιακού μετασχηματισμού

18.25-18.45 Discussion

18.45-19.00 Interval

19.00-19.40 SECOND SESSION 

Lenart Škof,Koper Science and Research Center

The future soul of humanity

Το μέλλον της ψυχής της ανθρωπότητας

Marcello Ienca, Technical University of Munich

Humanity at the crossroads: Cognitive technology and the future of freedom and autonomy

Η ανθρωπότητα σε σταυροδρόμι: Η γνωσιακή τεχνολογία και το μέλλον της ελευθερίας και της αυτονομίας

19.40-20.00     Discussion

Saturday, 4 July 

09.30-10.10 ΤHIRD SESSION

Abraham Loeb, Harvard University

The benefits of alien intelligence over AI 

Τα πλεονεκτήματα της εξωγήινης νοημοσύνης έναντι της ΤΝ

Markus Gabriel, University of Bonn

Being human in the age of AI – What AI’s magical mirror tells us about ourselves 

Η ανθρώπινη υπόσταση στην εποχή της ΤΝ – Τι μας αποκαλύπτει για τον εαυτό μας ο μαγικός καθρέφτης της ΤΝ

• Discussion

10.30-10.45 Interval

10.45-11.25 FOURTH SESSION 

Ofrit Liviatan, Harvard University

 The case for regulation when machines are the new oracles

Όταν οι μηχανές γίνονται τα νέα μαντεία: η αναγκαιότητα της ρύθμισης 

Martin Rees, Cambridge University

Our future in space

Το μέλλον μας στο διάστημα 

11.25-11.45 Discussion

11.45-13.15 ROUNDTABLE

With the practical institutional support and active participation of AUTODIA, a team of executives from the Organization attended the proceedings of the annual meeting of the Association of Private Radio Station Owners of Attica – E.I.I.R.A., entitled “All Things Radio 2026“.

The event, held on Wednesday, February 11, at the Library of the Hellenic Parliament (former Public Tobacco Factory), brought together a large number of professionals from the fields of radio production, market research & marketing, advertising, and the advertisers’ association, while also hosting institutional figures and foreign market experts.

Among those present at the event were Mr. Konstantinos Fotopoulos, President of E.I.I.R.A., and Mr. Ioannis Bratakos, President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while representing the State were Mr. Pavlos Marinakis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson, and Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance.

Representing AUTODIA were Ms.  Iliana Antoniou,, Director of Communications & International Relations, and Ms.  Gioulina Manolatou,, Head of Marketing, as well as Mr.  George Stambolis,, Director of Digital Strategy & Business Development,  Dimitris Varouxis,, Head of Broadcast Media, and  Stathis Pantzis,, Head of Online Media.

AUTODIA executives met with many professionals in the sector and informed the public about the Organization’s activities, providing specialized information and printed informational material.

As part of the event, Ms. Iliana Antoniou gave a speech entitled “Musical Content & Artificial Intelligence: Copyright at the Center,” emphasizing that the essence and longevity of radio, however it evolves in the age of Artificial Intelligence, remain in human connection, trust, and authentic stories. All that is needed is mutual respect for the professional integrity of each sector and serious investment in people: producers, composers, songwriters, and lyricists.

An international conference entitled “The Epigraphy of Healing: Sanctuaries & Dedications in Attica” will be held at the Epigraphic Museum on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

Here’s the full schedule of events

 Saturday 20 December 2025 

10.00-10:15 Registration

10:15-10:30 Greetings

Panel 1: Asklepios and Hygieia and the Politics of Healing in Attica

Chair: Dr Athanasios Themos

10:30-10:50 Dr Milena Melfi (University of Oxford) 

“Reinstating Healing: Reused votive reliefs in the Athenian Asklepieion of the 1st century BC.

10:50-11:10 Dr Luigi Lafasciano (National Hellenic Research Foundation) 

“Performing for the God: Actors’ and Dramatists’ Dedications at the Asklepieion of Athens”

11:10-11:30 Dr Francesco Camia (Sapienza Università di Roma)- online ““IG II/III23240 and the cult of Hygieia in Attica during the Roman imperial period”

11:30-11:50 Discussion

11:50-12:10 Coffee Break

Panel 2: Other healing deities of the asty  

Chair: Eleni Zavvou 

12:10-12:30 Professor Maria Elena Gorrini (Università degli Studi di Pavia) “Dedicants of minor healing deities: the cases of Amynos and Heros Iatros”

12:30-12:50 Dr Brian Martens (University of St. Andrews) 

“Statuettes for Health and Healing from the Agora Excavations”

12:50-13:10 Discussion

13:10-15:00 Lunch Break 

Panel 3

Healing cults on the Attic Demes and Frontiers

Chair: Dr Aikaterini-Iliana Rassia

15:00-15:20 Professor Graham Oliver (Brown University) 

“Integrating health from the margins: Rhamnous and the Hellenistic polis” polis”

15:20-15:50 Dr Kazuhiro Takeuchi (Danish Institute for Mediterranean Studies) “Prevention is Better Than Cure: The Healing Cults of Athena, Herakles, and Apollo in Attica”

15:50-16:10 Dr Francesco Sorbello (Università degli Studi di Pavia)- online “Healing Cults in Acharnai: Archaeological, Epigraphic, and Literary Evidence”

16:10-16:30 Discussion 

Panel 4 

Attic Healing Cults: Philosophical And Literary Dimension 

Chair: Dr Georgia Petridou

16:30-16:50 Dr Matthias Haake (University of Bonn) 

“Female Epicureans in Attic Healing Sanctuaries? The Case of the Asclepieion in Athens and the Amphiareion at Oropos”

16:50-17:10 Dr Alexia Petsalis-Diomidis (University of St. Andrews) 

“Cult tables in the sanctuaries of Amphiaraos at Oropos and Asklepios at Athens”

17:10-17:30 Professor Andrej Petrovic (University of Virginia)-online “Purity and Epigraphy of Healing”online “Purity and Epigraphy of Healing”

17:30-17:50 Discussion

17:50-18:10 Coffee Break

Panel 5 

The Epigraphy of Healing Heroes in Attica

Chair: Dr Alexia Petsalis-Diomidis

18:10-18:30 Professor Jessica Lamont (Yale University)-online “Epigraphy of Healing: The Heros Iatros in Athens”

18:30-18:50 Professor Laura Gawlinski (Loyola University Chicago)- online “Herakles and Health in Athens”

18:50-19:10 Discussion

Chair: Professor Graham Oliver 

19:10-19:30 Professor Emeritus Kevin Clinton (Cornell University)-online “Asklepios at Eleusis”online “Asklepios at Eleusis”

19:30-20:00 Roundtable Discussion

20:00 Wine Reception

ORGANISING COMMITTEE: Dr Athanasios Themos (Director of the Epigraphic Museum) 

Eleni Zavvou MSc (Head of the Department of Research and Documentation of Inscriptions of the Epigraphic Museum)  

Dr Georgia Petridou (University of Liverpool)

Dr Aikaterini-Iliana Rassia (Open University of Cyprus & College Year of Athens)