The special exhibition “Daedalus: Legends of Crete” will run from April 15 to July 27, 2025, at the Gallery of the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men) in the Palace Museum. The exhibition is jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Hellenic Republic, the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage of Greece, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Palace Museum. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, as a joint promotion partner of the exhibition, has also contributed to the event.

Showcasing New Achievements in Sino-Greek Cultural Exchange, Ushering in a New Chapter in Dialogue of Civilizations

China and Greece are both ancient civilizations with a long history of friendly exchanges. This exhibition is not only an important outcome of deep cooperation between the Palace Museum and Greek cultural institutions but also a meaningful example of mutual learning and exchanges between civilizations.

The opening ceremony took place on April 14 at the Palace Museum, presided over by Lou Wei, executive deputy director of the Palace Museum. Wang Xudong, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and director of the Palace Museum, Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic, Evgenios Kalpyris, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the People’s Republic of China, and Kent Wong Siu-Kee, managing director and CEO of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, attended and delivered speeches.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Olympia Vikatou, director of the General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage of Greece, Stella Chryssoulaki, general director of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Xin Qi, special consultant to the International Confucian Association, Song Xinchao, chairman of ICOMOS China, Zheng Hao, a first-level inspector of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Yan Yalin, director of the Archaeology Department of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), Liu Yang, director general of the Department of Museums and Social Relics of the NCHA and director of the China Cultural Heritage Information and Consulting Center, Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group, Zhang Lixin, Party secretary and director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, Du Haijiang, Party secretary and deputy director of the Palace Museum, Zhu Hongwen, deputy director of the Palace Museum, as well as ambassadors or embassy representatives from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Jordan, officials from ministries and associations including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and NCHA, heads of major domestic cultural and heritage institutions, and experts and scholars in Greek culture and art.

Wang Xudong noted that this exhibition marks a new milestone in Sino-Greek cultural relations. The Palace Museum and the Ministry of Culture of the Hellenic Republic have reached an intention for strategic cooperation and will deepen collaboration in areas such as exhibitions, heritage conservation, academic research, and digital communication. He expressed hope that the exhibition will foster a deeper dialogue between the craftsmanship of ancient Greece and the architectural philosophy of the Forbidden City, as well as between the seafaring spirit of the Minoans and the pioneering spirit of Zheng He’s voyages, revitalizing cultural heritage in the contemporary era.

Lina Mendoni said that as two of the world’s great civilizations, Greece and China have both made extraordinary contributions to philosophy, art, science, and technology. Both cultures are renowned for their pursuit of knowledge, spirit of exploration, and appreciation for innovation. The mutual respect and deep connection to each other’s ancient traditions make this cultural dialogue profoundly meaningful.

Evgenios Kalpyris pointed out in his speech that the Hellenic Republic to the People’s Republic of China places great importance on bringing distinctive exhibitions to Chinese audiences. In recent years, exhibitions of Greek archaeological artifacts have been displayed in cities such as Shanghai, Changsha, Nanjing, and Beijing, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors keen to explore Greece’s prehistoric and historical civilizations. He said that more exhibitions are planned for other cities in the future. He believes that by presenting these classic and world-renowned cultural relics, the exhibitions can inspire cross-border cultural exchanges and bring the hearts of the two peoples closer through the power of culture.

Kent Wong said that the choice of the Palace Museum to hold this exhibition allows people to appreciate invaluable treasures without traveling abroad, offering a chance to appreciate the timeless charm of ancient Greek civilization right in Beijing. Chow Tai Fook is committed to enhancing exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, promoting excellent traditional culture and craftsmanship globally, and fostering international cultural dialogue and exchange.

Exploring the Roots of Ancient Greek Civilization: “Minoan Culture”

The special exhibition “Daedalus: Legends of Crete” takes the legendary figure of Daedalus — the master craftsman of Greek mythology — as its narrative thread. It combines mythological tales with archaeological findings to present the Minoan culture of the Bronze Age on Crete Island — an important source of ancient Greek civilization.

The Minoan culture, one of Europe’s earliest Bronze Age civilizations, is celebrated for its grand palace architecture, exquisite murals, highly developed maritime trade networks, and unique writing systems. The exhibition’s namesake theme, “Daedalus,” draws on the mythical figure symbolizing craftsmanship and creativity, famous for building the Labyrinth and creating wax wings.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses one of the world’s most important collections of Minoan artifacts. This exhibition is China’s first special exhibition focusing on Minoan culture, featuring 172 pieces (sets) of precious artifacts from the museum’s collection and one modern replica. The exhibition is divided into six sections: “Mythology,” “Labyrinth,” “Bronze,” “Craftsmanship,” “Statues,” and “Voyages,” presenting the achievements of Minoan culture from approximately 3000 BCE to 1100 BCE.

The exhibition brings the iconic Knossos Palace site to the Gallery of the Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwu men), offering an immersive experience. Visitors can follow Daedalus’ journey from mythical tales into the tangible archaeological world, exploring the beauty of Minoan architecture, murals, writing, bronze, painted pottery, gold ornaments, stone tools, seals, and sculpture.

A special concluding section, “Moonlight Over the Sea,” displays 13 significant artifacts from the Palace Museum’s collection, dating from China’s late Neolithic period to the Shang and Zhou dynasties. This section highlights the diversity and shared features of early human civilizations.

This exhibition, based on mutual respect and new museology approaches, is a collaborative achievement between curators from the Palace Museum and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. It sets a new example for the Palace Museum in planning and introducing overseas exhibitions.

As one of the key exhibitions celebrating the centenary of the Palace Museum, the event will also feature a series of academic lectures and educational programs designed to enhance public appreciation of ancient civilizations and foster continued cultural cooperation between China and Greece in heritage preservation, research, and public engagement, thus breaking new ground for international cultural exchange and writing a new chapter for inter-civilizational dialogue.

Visitors should scan the QR code at the entrance of the exhibition hall to enter.