Exhibition Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter in Archaeological Museum in Zagreb

EXHIBITION

Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter
Ancient and Modern Olympic Games

26 June –  October 2024
Archeological Museum in Zagreb, 1st floor

The Olympic Games, a phenomenon with over 2500 years of history, have connected people and provided a stage for talented athletes to showcase their strength, skill, speed, and agility since 776 BC. They have inspired many individuals and united museums such as the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb and the Croatian Sports Museum. Curators from these institutions, along with authors from the Croatian Olympic Committee and the Croatian Olympic Academy, have created an exhibition at the palace on Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19, which takes you on a journey through the history of the Olympic Games.

The ancient Olympic Games were held every four years in Olympia, a modest valley in south-western Greece. Despite the modesty of the location, they gained great prestige. Olympia was not a metropolis but a sanctuary with basic sports facilities. According to tradition, the games began in 776 BC, although the exact date is uncertain, and their origins were religious. The name "Olympia" comes from Zeus Olympios, the supreme Greek god. Archaeological research has uncovered altars dedicated to various deities, making the site a magnet for pilgrims. The religious significance spurred the initial athletic competitions. Pilgrims initiated the first improvised competitions, and over time many came for the love of sport. The stadium initially consisted of a sandy track surrounded by a grassy embankment for spectators and marble seats for judges.

With the arrival of the Romans in 146 BC, the Games became dependent on the rulers' will. Social changes, natural disasters, and the rise of Christianity contributed to their decline. The Games ended under emperors Theodosius I and Theodosius II, who banned pagan cults and ordered the destruction of Greek temples.

The idea of reviving the Olympic Games emerged after the discovery of ancient Olympia in 1766. In various countries, especially Germany, Scandinavia, Great Britain, the USA, and Greece, efforts were made to revive the competition. However, these activities remained of local significance until the appearance of Pierre de Coubertin, a French nobleman, educator, and historian.

Coubertin believed that the social and technological changes of the late 19^th century required a new man. He recognized the significant role of sports in education, particularly inspired by the British school system. He conceived the philosophy of Olympism and initiated the modern Olympic movement. The main idea of Olympism is that sport can establish an altruistic society full of joy, courage, progress, and peace among nations.

At the Congress in Paris on June 23, 1894, Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It was agreed that the first modern Olympic Games would be held two years later in Athens.

"Olympism is a philosophy of life and a way of living based on respect for human dignity and universal ethical principles."

— Olympic Charter (Pierre de Coubertin)

The exhibition at the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb on Zrinjevac reveals the history and significance of the Olympic Games through various artefacts such as statues, posters, medals, and equipment. The goal is to depict the deeper meaning of the Olympic Games, celebrating all ancient and modern participants.

In the spirit of the phrase mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body), for those seeking inspiration, the exhibition offers a journey through history and highlights the lasting value of sports as a means for personal and social development. Therefore, we invite all athletes, amateurs, and professionals to explore the fascination of the Olympic Games and be inspired by their spirit.

Impresum

Organisers: Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, Croatian Sports Museum, Hrvatski olimpijski odbor, Croatian Olympic Academy

Exhibition Authors: Nina Gostinski (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Porin Šćukanec Rezniček (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Ana Popovčić (Croatian Olympic Academy), Petra Husain Pustaj (Croatian Sports Museum), Marijan Sutlović (Croatian Sports Museum), Ana Wild (Croatian Sports Museum)

Conservation and restoration: Vedran Mesarić (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb)

Expert associates: Miroslav Nađ (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Tomislav Bilić (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Ozren Domiter (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Slađana Latinović (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb)

Graphic Design: Nedjeljko Špoljar - Sensus Design Factory

Photographs: Igor Krajcar (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Croatian Sports Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Technical Realisation: Vedran Mesarić (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Ivan Troha (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb)

Marketing and public relations: Davorka Maračić (Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), Sergej Novosel Vučković (Croatian Sports Museum)

Educational program: Ana Popovčić (Croatian Olympic Academy), Marijan Sutlović (Croatian Sports Museum)

Proofreading: IDI VIDI d.o.o.

The exhibits on display were lent by: Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, Croatian Sports Museum, Glyptotheque Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, International Olympic Committee

Co-organizers: Embassy of the French Republic, French Institute in Croatia, Embassy of the Hellenic Republic

The exibition has been supported and financed by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the City of Zagreb