The National Museum of Australia has rescheduled the planned British Museum blockbuster Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes to open on 17 December 2021.
Ancient Greeks was originally slated to be this year’s summer blockbuster and open in December 2020.
Logistical challenges in bringing international exhibitions to Australia during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have prompted the rescheduling of Ancient Greeks.
To compensate, the Museum will extend Endeavour Voyage: The Untold Stories of Cook and the First Australians until April next year after opening in June 2020, itself being delayed by several months due to COVID-19.
Endeavour Voyage showcases the Indigenous perspectives of those living on the east coast of Australia in 1770 alongside the experiences of the Endeavour crew. The exhibition is the result of a close collaboration between the National Museum and seven Indigenous communities.
Featuring some 170 objects which explore the theme of competition through sports, politics, drama, music and warfare, Ancient Greeks will open in Western Australia before starring at the Museum from 17 December 2021 until 1 May 2022.
The National Museum will be Ancient Greeks’ only east coast Australian venue. The exhibition will then conclude its Australasian tour with a final stop in New Zealand.
Museum director, Dr Mathew Trinca, said he is delighted more people will have the opportunity to see Endeavour Voyage and looks forward to bringing Ancient Greeks to Canberra next year.
“We are delighted to bring Ancient Greeks to east coast audiences next year. I know they’ll be mesmerised by the stories of competition in the ancient Greek world and by the beautiful depictions of athletes, the ceramics, sculptures, armour and jewellery featured in the show.”
Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes will be the fourth in a series of British Museum exhibitions that have featured at the Museum following Rome: City and Empire (2018), A History of the World in 100 Objects (2016), and Encounters: Revealing Stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Objects from the British Museum (2015).
