A different “Escape Room” for science and Greek-American friendship

At the Seraphio of the Municipality of Athens (19 Ehelidon & 144 Piraeus) will host at least until the end of December a different “Escape Room”, as the interactive group games of puzzles and knowledge are called. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Greek independence, the Embassy of the United States of America in Athens and the non-profit organization “Science Communication- Sci.Co.” inaugurate the action “USA-Greece: 200 years of innovation”, ie a “escape room” in which visitors, students and young people but not only, can explore the common scientific history of the two countries and finally “escape”, using the their knowledge.

Speaking at the inaugural event for the action, Thodoris Anagnostopoulos, president of the organization Sci.Co. He noted that this is “a project that aims to highlight the science, history and friendship of the two countries, Greece and the United States during these years.” In fact, Mr. Anagnostopoulos referred to the “tragedy of the pandemic”, saying that “if we have to find something optimistic in these two years, at least in our field, we have seen a change in the public’s understanding of science and the importance of scientists. to such an extent that in April 2021 the New York Times published an article claiming that scientists are the new superheroes “. Thanking both the US Embassy for the cooperation, not only in this action but also for the Athens Science Festival, as well as the Municipality of Athens for the support and concession of Serafio, Mr. Anagnostopoulos underlined that “the game is probably the most effective way of education. “We designed the ‘Escape Room’ to celebrate the friendship of the two nations and to highlight some outstanding scientists throughout this period.”

The visit to the place is free and there is the possibility for school tours. Guests are invited to browse through 4 different rooms, each of which represents a specific time period in modern history. At the same time, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about some of the most important historical and scientific discoveries during the last 200 years, through puzzles and riddles, focusing on notable personalities and innovations that emerged from the Greek-American cooperation. This action has been put under the auspices of the Commission “Greece 2021”.

The US Ambassador to Athens, Jeffrey Payat, speaking at the inauguration, said he was “proud” of this “innovative program” as part of the celebrations of the anniversary of the Greek Revolution and “the common values ​​and friendship that unite our countries for more than 200 years “. “This is not only an opportunity to reflect on the history of our remarkable alliance, but also to look to the future of this program,” said Payat. proudly shared by Greeks and Americans: our passion for democracy, equality, human freedom and self-determination, as well as our common innovative spirit and drive for scientific discovery that unites our peoples and is the foundation from which we continue to build. ” Mr. Payat referred to scientists who are part of the action-game, such as Samuel Gridley Howe, a doctor who fought for Greek independence and also practiced medicine here in Greece 200 years ago, and the Greek astrophysicist Vasiliki Kalogera, who works today at Northwestern University and the Center for Disciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics. “As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Greece’s independence and two centuries of ever-strengthening and deeper ties between our peoples, we look forward to an even more dynamic and important future. It is a future that will be guided and defined by science, the passion for progress and discovery! And in this Escape Room, you can find out how it all started! ” concluded US Ambassador Jeffrey Payat.

For her part, the president of the “Greece 2021 Commission” Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, who put the action under her auspices, stressed that one of the messages that emerged from the period we are going through is “the need for cooperation and synergies because “This is the only way forward.” “Every anniversary inevitably pushes us to reflect on our past, to give meaning to the present and to envision our future,” said Ms. Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, adding that the period of “historical awakening that was the Revolution of 1821” was characterized by “complexity”. And “diversity”. Regarding the “Escape Room”, Mrs. Angelopoulou noted that its character is “educational”, “interactive” but also “optimistic” while it contributes to the reminder of the “long course of friendship that exists between the two peoples”. “So this action, the escape room which is a common scientific history of the USA and Greece, first of all honors the ancient Greek philosophy that was the beginning for humanity to think about, it honors many American philhellenes, it honors prominent Greeks who “Many of them determined the scientific course of the human race and of course honors the struggle that Greece made to get to where it is today,” concluded Mrs. Angelopoulou-Daskalaki.

“We are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Greek independence. It is an opportunity for reflection, it is an opportunity for self-criticism, for questioning, it is an opportunity to talk openly about our national conscience, but it is also an opportunity to talk about tomorrow. This future which comes with momentum “underlined the mayor of Athens Costas Bakogiannis, adding:” So this fact, the exhibition has a special meaning because it marries yesterday with today and tomorrow “. Commenting on the “Escape Room” that will be hosted at the Seraphio of the Municipality of Athens, Mr. Bakoyannis noted: “It does not just revive history. It is not just that – especially our children – have the opportunity to re-establish themselves with historical figures who played a key role in who we are today. It is something more. It is that, thanks to the excellent cooperation of the US embassy and Sci.Co., all this is done through a conversation with science. That is, it is done with knowledge, with substance, with seriousness, but at the same time it is done with terms that are understandable to us and our children “.

“The Greek Revolution was not just a national event, it was a global event, always with the data of the time, and the USA and Greece share a special and unique bond, the ideals and values ​​that were born and promoted in the birthplace of democracy. here, in Athens, and they inspired the founders of the United States, while then the American Revolution inspired the Greek revolutionaries “, concluded Mr. Bakoyannis.

Present at the event were the Deputy Minister of Education, Zetta Makri and the President of the Athens Development and Tourism Promotion Company, Alexia Evert.

Working hours:

Monday-Friday 10: 00-13: 00 (school visits) and 17: 00-20: 00, Saturday-Sunday 12: 00-18: 00

To enter the site, visitors must present their vaccination certificate or COVID-19 certificate of illness (up to 6 months). If they do not have any of the above, they must show the relevant confirmation of a negative result from a Covid-19 disease detection test (PCR test or rapid test), which they have submitted in the last 48 hours. Students under the age of 12 should take a negative self-test.

Admission is free and open to the public.