Panathenaia, ancient Greek festival honoring Athena

[Earthcup]

Panathenaia, a Greek festival honoring Athena, begins the evening of August 2nd and continues until sunset August 9th.

Only comes around every 5 years, or 3 depending on the source, and was celebrated with athletic, musical and beauty(male) contests! There was also a big parade through Athens in honor of this Goddess.

Just picked up this bit 'o info and thought I'd pass it along! :D

*makes a note to stock up on olive oil this summer*

Athenian calendar dating from the 1st Olympiad to 300 years in the future.... http://www.numachi.com/%7Eccount/hmepa/

[Earthcup]

Oh and the Greek new year is begins sunset, July 11th. :)

[gunner]

wasn't athena the goddess venerated in the parthenon in ancient greece? and it seems to me that some where in the southern u.s. somebody built a replica of the parthenon years ago, last i heard recently it was being restored. perhaps it might be worth a visit on august second for those that follow the olympian pantheon.

[Mithrea]

I don't know if this is what you are talking about, but there is a giant Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee which was built for a U.N. meeting (I think), at the invitation of the governor of TN. I just visited there recently and took pictures with my friends camera. If she ever gets them back, I plan to post them. It was really cool. :D

[gunner]

that would be the one, i thought i remembered it as being in tennesee, thank you

[Kaylara]

Originally posted by gunner
wasn't athena the goddess venerated in the parthenon in ancient greece? and it seems to me that some where in the southern u.s. somebody built a replica of the parthenon years ago, last i heard recently it was being restored. perhaps it might be worth a visit on august second for those that follow the olympian pantheon.

I know that Morning Glory and Oberon Zell-Ravenhurst were involved in this... I'll look into it a bit more...

Kaylara

[Azure]

Er, I live in Nashville, and the Zells really have nothing to do with it - if they claim they do, well. . . the most they could have done is donated some money to help gild the Statue of Athena Parthenos - just like everyone else here.

However, if you watch the Discovery channel feature on the Grrek Parthenon, they give a very good, detailed history of our local one.

I will post some pictures this evening if you like - I have some on disk.


Of note, the Panathenaia was also a major theatre festival in ancient Greece, with performers competing for prizes, like the City Dionysia.

[Earthcup]

I thought it was built for some fair..... you can find awesome pics of it online.

I wonder if anyone's going to do something at the Parthenon in Nashville for Panathenaia?

[Azure]

It was built for a World's Fair.

There's a cool art gallery inside as well.

There's nothing planned as far as I know. I personally go and have the occassional heart to heart with the Goddess every now and then, but that's about it.

[TheTempestuous1]

When I was in Paris I went to this church that was built in the style of the parthenon, it was really cool looking, it's called "La Madeline" So if you're ever in Paris ;)

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Azure,
I live close to Nashville, well, not too close, but my husband does drive there to work everyday. About and hour and a half one way. Last time I was at the Parthenon, was about 6 years ago. Sounds like I need to make another visit!

[Azure]

Tell me when you want to go, and we can meet up :)

[Witchy Cowgirl]

Sounds great....don't get to Nashville much....but next time, even if it's not to visit the Partenon....well have to try to meet....THANKS!:)

[Mnemosyne]

I didn't know that I could experience so many emotions in such a short time period. When I read the title of the thread, I thought that this was going to talk about a celebration that has already passed. :( But then I got to reading about the Panathenaia and realized that I have plenty of time to prepare. :) Thanks for the information, Earthcup.