Exploring Greece Through Festivals: My First Four Months as the Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellow

 

View over the acropolis of Athens and Mount Lykavitos

I first started coming to Greece in the summer of 2014 and never could have imagined that, 10 years later, I would still be travelling here for work. Thanks to the Elisabeth Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellowship, I am now able to live in Athens for the first time, enjoying the beautiful city throughout the year. In September 2024 I began my stay at the Canadian Institute to finish up my doctoral research on “festivals and regional identity in Hellenistic Thessaly”, which has been aided greatly by the resources of the CIG, and the many contacts I have made as a CIG member.

Theatre at the archaeological site of Pleuron

The purpose of this fellowship being to complete my dissertation, I have spent many hours in the libraries of the foreign research institutes around Athens. In addition to the CIG, I have been able to conduct work in and browse through libraries such as the Blegen of the American School and the library of the British School. In addition to the many hours of research spent in these libraries, I have also been able to expand my research network by attending lectures at the various archaeological schools and institutes, with particular focus for the Greek Religion Seminars at the Swedish Institute in Athens and the TEXNH lectures at the Netherlands Institute in Athens. I am greatly looking forward to the upcoming semester, as the University of Thessaly in March will hold the 8^th annual conference “Αρχαιολογικό Έργο Θεσσαλίας και Στερεάς Ελλάδας” (ΑΕΘΣΕ).  I look forward to attending again to solidify connections with other scholars working on Thessaly and hearing all about the new discoveries in the region. 

Theatre A’ in Larisa, Thessaly

My research seeks to understand the role of festivals in identity-formation processes during the Hellenistic period in Thessaly and attempts to answer the question of how festivals served to connect communities within the region as well as the wider Greek world. My research adds to our regional knowledge of the role of religious festivals in the increasingly internationalized Hellenistic world. This research centers on a comprehensive assessment of Thessalian religious festivals and their interplay with identity formation on a local, regional, and international scale, which serves as an important comparison for other regions in this time period. The dataset for this research primarily involves inscriptions, but also archaeological evidence such as theatres and sanctuaries.

View over the Thessalian plains

There is nothing more inspiring for someone working on Ancient Greece than having the opportunity to walk the streets of Athens, seeing all the ancient remains you have spent your life studying and imagining yourself walking the footsteps of those you study. In between all the work in libraries, I have managed to take research trips as well as more leisurely trips to broaden my knowledge of Greece. This has included travelling around the Peloponnese focussing on many of the sites that held the ancient Panhellenic festivals, as this comparanda connects particularly to my research. Other trips have included exploring Attica more broadly, as well as daily walks around Athens, and the occasional hike up Mount Hymettos.

Christmas lights at Syntagma square

This first semester has more than lived up to my expectations. In addition to academic opportunities, I have also made many personal connections and friends from around Athens, with Red Lion nights really helping to meet those from other archaeological schools. As I fly back to Edmonton for the holidays, I can happily reflect on the first semester of Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellowship and look forward to the upcoming term!

Καλά Χριστούγεννα και Καλή Χρονιά!
Adam Wiznura, Elisabeth Alföldi-Rosenbaum Fellow 2024-2025

From Catalogues to Colossals: Unearthing History During My Greek Odyssey

This fall has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. As an intern at the Canadian Institute in Greece (CIG), I’ve had the opportunity to immerse myself in the heart of Mediterranean history and culture, all while gaining hands-on experience that has deepened my passion for archaeology. My journey began with a flight to Athens, marking my first visit to Greece. Watching the sunrise from the plane as it glided over the Aegean Sea, I felt a mixture of excitement and awe. This was the start of an adventure that would shape my understanding of history, archaeology, and myself.

Settling into the CIG guest apartments, I quickly adapted to the rhythm of life in Athens. The view from my new home was breathtaking, with the Acropolis standing as a constant reminder of the rich past I had come to study. My mornings often began with walks through the vibrant streets, where I encountered local wildlife like cats and turtles, adding charm to my daily routine. At the institute, my work was both rewarding and eye-opening. From cataloguing books to assisting with day-to-day operations, I gained valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts that support archaeological research. The institute’s library became a treasure trove of knowledge, where I delved deeper into topics I had studied at Laurier and would carry with me to Queen’s University.

Beyond my work, Greece itself became my classroom. Visiting the Acropolis, I marveled at the Parthenon’s enduring grandeur and imagined the lives of those who had once walked its marble steps. A trip to Delphi allowed me to stand where the ancient oracles once did, the sacred aura of the site complemented by the breathtaking view of the Parnassus mountains.

At Mycenae, I stepped through the famous Lion Gate and into a civilization I had only read about, feeling the weight of history in every stone. Epidaurus revealed the incredible ingenuity of ancient Greek engineering, with its theater’s acoustics leaving me in awe.

Cape Sounion provided the perfect end to a day with its stunning sunset over the Temple of Poseidon. A visit to Meteora was another unforgettable highlight. The towering rock formations, crowned with monasteries, felt like stepping into another world. Watching the sun set over the Thessalian plains, casting the monasteries in golden light, was a moment of peace and reflection that I will carry with me forever. Each site enriched my understanding of ancient Greece and its profound influence on the modern world. The connections between the archaeological remains and the history I had studied became clearer with every visit.

The experience wasn’t limited to history; it was also about people and culture. From conversations with fellow interns and archaeologists to evenings spent enjoying Greek cuisine and exploring Athens’ vibrant neighborhoods, I’ve come to appreciate the warmth and hospitality of the Greek people.As my time in Greece comes to a close, I’m incredibly grateful to the Canadian Institute in Greece for this opportunity. The knowledge I’ve gained, both academic and personal, will guide me as I continue my studies and pursue a career in archaeology. This summer was more than an internship—it was a journey through history, culture, and self-discovery. I look forward to the day I return to Greece, not just to revisit its ancient wonders but to continue learning and growing in the field I love.

Dante Campanella
Wilfrid Laurier University Intern, Fall 2024