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The Society for the
Revival of the Nemean Games
"It is our belief that the modern
Olympic Games, despite their obvious success in many respects, have
become increasingly removed from the average person. Our goal is the
participation, on the sacred ancient soil of Greece, of anyone and
everyone, in games that will revive the spirit of the Olympics. We will
achieve this by reliving authentic ancient athletic customs in the
ancient stadium of Nemea."
Statement of the Purpose of the Society,
December 30, 1994
The Society for the Revival of the
Nemean Games is a movement born from more than 20 years of excavation
by the University of California at Berkeley in the panhellenic
Sanctuary of Zeus at Nemea, Greece, and from the enthusiasm and
dedication of local residents of Nemea who feel that they could make an
important contribution to today's world because of their personal ties
to Nemea.
Members of the Society for the Revival of the Nemean
Games in the Ancient Stadium at Olympia for the lighting ceremony of
the Atlanta Olympic Games Flame, March 30, 1996
It was at Nemea that the ancient Greeks
celebrated athletic and religious festivals that were part of the cycle
of games at Delphi, Isthmia, and (best known today) Olympia. It was at
one of these four sites that, for a brief period each year, wars and
hostilities were suspended by a sacred truce, and all Greeks gathered
in recognition of their common humanity. This impulse toward peace -
albeit limited to a few days each year - was the first in the history
of mankind on an organized, regular, and international scale. Thus, the
festivals at Nemea, Olympia, Delphi, and Isthmia are the direct
ancestors of today's United Nations and Olympic movement. The ancient
stadium discovered at Nemea is, therefore, an important monument in the
history of such institutions.
The Olympic movement has become an ever
more important and complex international event, and a symbol of the
nobler aspirations of our human race. But it has also become
increasingly removed from those who are not extraordinarily
athletically gifted. The average person, inspired by the ancient
lessons of peace and hopeful of participation in the movement finds
even the role of spectator difficult to fulfill at the modern Olympics.
The Society for the Revival of the
Nemean Games believes that there is scope for the average person to
participate in such an international athletic festival where no records
will be kept and no medals awarded. Races will be organized by gender
and age, and all participants will be rewarded only by feet sore from
contact with the same stones and the same soil where ancient feet ran
more than 2,000 years ago.
The Fourth Nemead will take place on
June 21-22, 2008. More information can be found in this pamphlet 2008Games.pdf and to register
please contact the Society for the Revival of the Nemean Games:
nemeagames2004@yahoo.gr
At the bottom of this page are links for those who wish to become a
member of the society, to register for the games, or to learn more
about the games.
Members of the Honorary Committee
Links
Become a
Member
Participate
in Games
2008
Ancient Basis for
Modern Games
Movie: "Step into History: Nemea 2004"
(Link to free Real Player for Movie)
UCB
Web Feature
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