A special evening full of art, science and musical surprises took place on Thursday 30 March at the St. Elisabeth in Berlin.
The ALPHA MISSION- ΔELOS travelled for the third time in Europe, after the European Parliament (Yahudi Menuhin Hall) and UNESCO headquarters in Paris, this time found itself at the iconic St. Elisabeth; an emblematic place in Berlin built in 1835 by Karl Friedrich Sinkel.
The birthplace of the twin siblings, Apollo and Artemis, lured the guests through the screening of the concert held in Delos by the European Union Youth Orchestra last May, in a packed historic venue. The event was moderated by the distinguished German artist and co-founder of the World Human Forum, Jochen Sandig. The opening speech was given by Effrosyni Chelioti, Director of International Relations of the Helmholtz Association.
The screening was preceded by a discussion on the role of the humanities, arts and space technology in the regeneration of our planet, moderated by Alexandra Mitsotaki, President and co-founder of the World Human Forum. Professor Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Heritage Foundation, Europe’s largest cultural institution and Executive President of Europa Nostra, stressed the value of our historical legacy as humanity and the great importance we must attach to the synergy between ancestral intelligence and artificial intelligence. A synergy that we have strongly observed existing both in global and Greek history as well as in indigenous populations, noting the importance of the connection that ALPHA MISSION- ΔELOS makes towards the two mutually compatible AI’s.
Distinguished scientist and Honorary Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber took the baton by also referring to the importance of historical lessons, noting that the important civilisations of the past that have been destroyed over time are a great lesson for humanity today. Many ancient civilisations were lost because they failed to respect their environment and used its natural resources recklessly and arrogantly. Professor Heinz Wilhelm Hübers from the German Aerospace Centre added the perspective of space research and technology to the debate by talking about the importance of the Overview effect. No other planet, as he said, can provide the right conditions for the development and maintenance of life. Today’s human civilisation is twice as much at risk as in the past as humanity no longer has the option of moving elsewhere. Professor Schellnhuber stressed that contact with space has helped us to fully understand how fragile our Earth is and at the same that is a miracle we must protect and preserve.
At the end of the screening a special surprise awaited the audience as violin soloist rising star Diana Tishchenko went on stage wrapped in a white dress resembling a new age mythical Artemis and performed Bach’s Chaconne.
The event was followed by a small cocktail party where people from different backgrounds had the opportunity to discuss and exchange views on sustainability, art and everything concerning the future. The age-old island of Delos, continuing its timeless history, brings people and ideas together, becoming once again the hub for a new world worthy of all living beings on our planet.
From Berlin, the emblematic Greek island renewed its appointment with the world for this June (4&5), to write the new page of synergies between art, science, technology and the humanities.
