kathimerini.gr
Panathēnea: Reviving Ancient Games as a Modern Tech Festival in Athens
Lars Rasmussen and Eloida Visviki, inspired by ancient Panathenaic Games, are launching Panathēnea, a tech festival in Athens from May 7-9, 2024, with over 30 international speakers, including Melanie Perkins (Canva CEO) and Peter Vesterbacka (Angry Birds founder), supported by Aegean Airlines and National Bank of Greece, aiming to establish Athens as a European tech hub.
- What specific actions and collaborations led to the creation of Panathēnea, a new international tech festival in Athens?
- Lars Rasmussen, co-founder of Google Maps, and his wife, Eloida Visviki, moved to Greece in 2021 and aimed to boost the Greek startup ecosystem. Initially investors, they recognized Greece's rapid growth and sought to create a significant international tech festival, similar to Lisbon's Web Summit or Helsinki's Slush. Their efforts, involving collaboration with Greek venture capital and the government, led to the creation of Panathēnea.
- How does Panathēnea aim to connect Greece's historical legacy with its modern technological aspirations, and what specific mechanisms will be used to achieve this?
- Inspired by the ancient Panathenaic Games, Rasmussen and Visviki, along with a team of Greek university students, are launching Panathēnea, a tech festival. This initiative, supported by major Greek corporations like Aegean Airlines and National Bank of Greece, aims to establish Athens as a leading European tech hub. The festival's success is seen as crucial for Greece's economic growth and international recognition in the tech sector.
- What are the long-term economic and cultural impacts that Panathēnea's success could have on Greece, and what challenges might it face in achieving its ambitious goals?
- Panathēnea's long-term vision is ambitious, aiming to become a globally recognized event on par with the Nobel Prize ceremony within 5-7 years, attracting 150,000 attendees. This festival aims not only to celebrate Greek innovation but also to establish Athens as a significant player on the global tech stage, attracting international investment and talent. The festival's success will depend heavily on sustained support from the Greek government and private sector.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive towards the Panathēnea festival and its organizers. The challenges encountered are presented as hurdles overcome rather than major setbacks, contributing to a narrative of success and triumph. The headline (if there were one) would likely reflect this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely celebratory and positive, which might be interpreted as biased. Words and phrases like "tremendous," "fantastic," and "ambitious" frequently appear, potentially skewing the reader's perception. More neutral language could provide a more balanced perspective.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the creation of the Panathēnea festival, potentially omitting other significant events or initiatives within the Greek startup ecosystem. While this focus is understandable given the article's subject, a broader overview might provide a more complete picture of the Greek tech scene.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article details the creation of Panathēnea, a technology festival in Athens aiming to boost Greece's startup ecosystem. This directly contributes to innovation and infrastructure development by fostering collaboration, attracting investment, and showcasing Greek technological advancements. The festival's ambition to become a leading European event further strengthens its impact on infrastructure (event infrastructure) and innovation.