The first World Conference of Classics opened in Beijing on Thursday, bringing together some 600 scholars from over 30 countries and regions to discuss how the wisdom of past civilizations can inspire and inform modern society.
Jointly sponsored by China and Greece, the conference themed on "Classical Civilizations and the Modern World" is scheduled from Wednesday to Friday. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the conference on the same day, encouraging the participating experts and scholars to embrace the responsibility of advancing classical studies, contribute to the preservation and development of civilizations, and enhance their exchange and mutual learning. "China is actively dedicated to pushing for the inheritance and development of civilizations, enhancing international cultural exchanges, and promoting global dialog, and pays attention to seeking wisdom and drawing nutrition from different civilizations," said Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.
China is ready to collaborate with all parties to carry out the Global Civilization Initiative, address various challenges confronting all mankind, and advance the progress of human civilization, Li said.
Participating scholars and experts spoke highly of China's efforts to fostering dialog between classical civilizations and taking the wisdom of the past to inform the future.
"Most universities these days are moving more towards the sciences. I understand that, I mean, clearly in the aftermath of the pandemic, for example, we do need biomedical sciences. For China, the world's largest nation to invest so much in dialog between different forms of classicism, I think it's a hugely important statement. I'm so excited and so pleased to be here and be a part of this," said Tim Whitmarsh, professor of department of classics, University of Cambridge and fellow of the British Academy.
"I'm really excited and proud to be a part of this wonderful conference that bridges two of the most ancient civilizations, the ancient Greek and the ancient Chinese. I believe that China is taking a step forward in order to do an innovation in the field of classics," said Eugenia Manolidou, director of Elliniki Agogi School of Athens.
"China is a cradle of ancient Asian civilizations. This is where it all began. In a world of turbulence, perhaps classics and perhaps the way China conducts the research on classics, is a way to find the lost stability on a global level as well," said Nikolaos Bourazelis, attorney with Athens Bar Association.
In studying the present in tandem with the past, the conference features forums revolving around classical wisdom and the age of digital intelligence as well as the future of humanity.
First World Conference of Classics opens in Beijing
