The Hellenic Museum has developed a high level Greek education guide for the Benaki Museum exhibition Gods, Myths & Mortals. The guide will promote Greek language through primary and secondary schools Australia wide.

The guide – developed in conjunction with Greece’s cultural icon, the Benaki Museum – aims to enhance a student’s appreciation of Greek language by having them think about the past, discuss the present and focus on the future through the priceless and timeless treasures.

“We have developed the guide in order to provide a holistic learning experience for students. One that includes Greek language along with Greek culture and history,” says Hellenic Museum’s Penni Pappas. “And it’s also a great way for parents to become more involved in the student’s education by visiting the museum with their children.”

The education guide works hand-in-hand with a guided tour of the collection for primary and secondary Greek language students. Using the guide, teachers are given the chance to engage the students through questions and activities before, and then after the guided tour.

The Museum chose to launch the education program in March to coincide with the Speak Greek in March campaign. The Museum is also in the process of developing a detailed catalogue specifically for non-English speakers.

“We have the exhibition Gods, Myths & Mortals here at the Hellenic Museum for an unprecedented ten years, so it’s anticipated that we will be encouraging the learning of Greek language in Australia through cultural displays and exhibitions well into the future,” says Ms Pappas.

The collection which spans an incredible 8,000 years of Greek civilization includes: Neolithic pottery; Cycladic statues; Minoan figurines; Mycenaean jewellery; Hellenistic sculptures; Byzantine icons and manuscripts; Post Byzantine secular art and costumes; and Neo-Hellenic art and weaponry, including ornate swords and pistols belonging to Greek revolutionary heroes Kolokotronis and Mavromichalis.

These antiquities showcase the developments of Greek history, when dynasties reigned, kings conquered, and cities fell. Through exploring the cultures and technologies of the past, students are provided the opportunity to immerse themselves in history while gaining new perspectives on today.

For more information on the education guide, as well as guided tours of the Benaki collection Gods, Myths & Mortals, contact the Hellenic Museum on (03) 8615 9016 or info@hellenic.org.au.
The Hellenic Museum is located at 280 William Street, Melbourne and is open from Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 4pm.