Homerathon Returns to NHM
The ancient Greek poet Homer’s Odyssey is arguably the greatest adventure story ever told, inspiringmany contemporary literary adaptations and films about heroes embarking on fateful and twisting journeys as they make their way home.
This month, the National Hellenic Museum (NHM) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Department of Classics and Mediterranean Studies are proud to co-present their popular Homerathon, a reading of the Odyssey aloud in its entirety with public participation, on Friday, October25 from 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at NHM (333 S. Halsted Street, Chicago).
Museum admission is free on both dates for this special event. Registration for Homerathon readers is now open. For more information or to register as a reader, visit
nationalhellenicmuseum.org/homerathon. Select passages will be reserved for walk-in guests.
Students and lifelong learners of all ages with an interest in Greek storytelling and mythology are encouraged to sign up in advance to read aloud a short three-minute passage from the Odyssey. School groups are welcome. Alongside the readings, educational activities will be offered throughout
Homerathon, including play areas with replicas of ancient children toys such as astragaloi (ancient dice), and mythology-based coloring activities and puzzles.
The original text of Homer’s Odyssey was written in ancient Greek. During Homerathon on October 25 and 26, readings will primarily be from Professor Stanley Lombardo’s English-language translation.
“There is a reason this ancient text is so enduring. Homer’s Odyssey brims with universal themes: the emptiness of loss, the unpredictability of love, and the strength and endurance of the human spirit through incredible challenges,” says Katherine Kelaidis, NHM’s Director of Research and Content.
“Reading the poem aloud honors the oral storytelling tradition of ancient epics, which were recited aloud to audiences, usually by memory. Of course, during our Homerathon, readers will have the text in front of them!” For more information, visit https://nationalhellenicmuseum.org/homerathon/.
