On the Olympic trail in Athens
Greece and specifically Athens are known for the Olympic Games as well as for theater and artistic masks. This provided students with the ideal opportunity to immerse themselves in all subject areas of the degree program and gain new insights and impressions.
Greek theater in the modern era
The organizing team for the study trip provided a varied program ranging from visits to plays to explorations of architectural masterpieces.
A play that critically dealt with the masks that are typical for Geek theater was also part of the program. In the play, four actors in various costumes played different personalities from Greek mythology.
The Acropolis, more than just a tourist attraction
The play was performed on the roof of a house, which provided a beautiful view over the illuminated Acropolis, which is one of the most important sights and structures of Western culture and was therefore also an important stop on the study trip. In addition to it being a historic monument, visitors can also view the famous Changing of the Guards Ceremony at the Acropolis. Moreover, it offers a breathtaking view of the city of Athens all the way to the Port of Piraeus.
Marvelous structures
On a walking tour, the students explored many other historic buildings such as the Theater of Dionysus or the Temple of Hephaestus, the god of fire, blacksmiths and volcanoes, who is also known as the ugly god.
The new and interactive architecture and cultural initiatives such as at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center generated new perspectives and impressions.
“I was most impressed by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. An empty area has been transformed into a modern meeting point for target audiences and interested visitors of all age groups,” said Director of Studies Asc. Prof. (UAS) Mag. Monika Kohlhofer regarding her personal highlights of the study trip. Together with Angela Scalet (BA) from the degree program, she accompanied the students on their path of exploration through Athens.
A stadium of marble
The program of course also had to include the topic of sports, so a visit to the Panathenaic Stadium was in order. This is the first Olympic Stadium of the modern era and also the only stadium in the world made entirely of marble. Until today, the stadium is used for sports events such as the annual Athens Classic Marathon, which finishes within the stadium.