Activity review on the Numismatic Collection workshop at the 1st Athens Archaeology Festival

The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection celebrated the International Archaeology Day on 18 October at the 1st Athens Archaeology Festival, hosted by the British School of Athens.

More than 500 people of all ages visited the inviting and luscious green garden of the British School of Athens to learn all about the myths and mysteries of ancient times.

A workshop with major appeal

The Numismatic Collection workshop titled “The myth of Heracles on ancient coins” stood out among the 10 educational and interactive workshops hosted.

It was extremely popular, attracting all the festival goers and receiving only positive feedback and raving reviews.

The hero Heracles through coins

The workshop took the audience on a journey in the world of ancient mythology and numismatic art, through the myth of Heracles, the most popular ancient hero.

The participants had the chance to become acquainted with coins from ancient cities and rulers who chose to depict moments from Heracles’ life and labours on them. The workshop also helped them discover what these images symbolised and why they had been selected.

A multisensory experience

At the same time, visitors:

• Touched true replicas of ancient coins.
• Participated in experiential mystery games.
• Solved riddles inspired by the ancient semi-god.
• Created their own coins following the ancient technique.

This way, the workshop developed into an interactive journey, expertly combining history, creativity and entertainment.

The Festival and a connection to cultural heritage

The Athens Archaeology Festival, an initiative by the British School of Athens in partnership with organisations from the fields of archaeology and cultural sciences, aimed at bringing the audience, and especially children, closer to the exciting world of archaeological research and Greece’s cultural heritage.

In a day full of activities, discoveries and creativity, the Festival was able to turn archaeology from a science of the past into a living experience in the present.

The Festival’s message

The keen interest and enthusiastic participation confirmed the need for such initiatives, which bring us into contact with our cultural heritage through experiential learning and entertainment.

According to Dr Dimitra Tsangari, Archaeologist – Numismatist, Curator of the Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection and Head of Cultural Collections and Archives: 

“It was truly moving to see so many people, of all ages, approaching our work with such curiosity, excitement and smiles. Our participation at the festival was more than an outreach activity; it was a reminder that archaeology – even numismatic archaeology – can inspire, connect and transfer culture in a lively and experiential manner. We left full of joy, ideas and the feeling that our work has an impact!”