At the inaugural World Conference of Classics, Tim Whitmarsh, a Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge, delivered a rallying cry for cross-cultural collaboration and youth engagement. 🎓 His keynote speech highlighted how ancient civilizations can inspire modern unity, saying: \"When young people connect with the past, they build bridges to the future.\"
Breaking Down Barriers Through History
Whitmarsh emphasized that studying classics isn’t just about dusty scrolls—it’s a toolkit for understanding diverse societies. \"The Mediterranean wasn’t just Greek and Roman,\" he noted. \"It was a vibrant network of exchange—much like our digital world today.\" 🌐
Youth: The Future of Heritage
With Gen Z driving trends in #BookTok and museum selfies, Whitmarsh urged educators to make classics \"as relatable as a viral TikTok.\" His call? Use tech, art, and pop culture to spark curiosity. 🎨📱 \"If Homer had Instagram,\" he joked, \"the Odyssey would’ve been an epic unboxing video.\"
The event drew scholars from over 30 countries and regions, proving that Socrates and Confucius can indeed share a digital stage. 🏛️🤝
