Immersion in ancient childhood at Quai Wilson

Since 1^is November, Quai Wilson in Geneva is the scene of a fascinating exploration: that of childhood in Antiquity. Designed in collaboration between the City of Geneva and the Hardt Foundation for the Study of Classical Antiquity, this exhibition entitled “Growing up in Antiquity” is an immersion into the mores and customs of the Greco-Roman era, highlighting light of the surprising aspects of the lives of young people at that time.

14 panels

The exhibition unfolds in fourteen illustrated panels, each addressing a specific theme linked to ancient childhood: from birth to education, including games, clothing and even work. The public discovers often surprising notions, such as the limited role of education for girls, reserved mainly for boys, or the forms of entertainment and initiation rites which accompanied the transition from childhood to adulthood. adult. This free event, accessible to all, allows it to reach a wide audience, including young people.

For Lucie, 6 years old, who came with her father, Marco, to applaud her brother who is participating in the Geneva 20 km, visiting the exhibition was a happy coincidence. “I learned a lot of new information,” she said. For example, that education was mainly reserved for boys at the time.” Her father is also delighted to be able to share historical information with his daughter: “It’s great to be able to discover history in this way, through a walk. The exhibition is very well done, easy to understand, even for children.”

Declaration of the Rights of the Child

The event, which also celebrates the centenary of the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1924 by the League of Nations, is part of a desire to commemorate and raise public awareness of the place and rights of children. children in our modern society.

Beyond the exhibition, additional activities are proposed to enrich this reflection. On November 11, the Hardt Foundation welcomes Véronique Dasen, professor of archeology at the University of Friborg, for a conference on the “first thousand days” of the child in classical Antiquity. This conference will be held at the Palais Eynard. Madame Dasen will explore the care and attention that infants received, far from being neglected.

The exhibition “Growing up in Antiquity” is intended not only to be a window into the past, but also an invitation to reflect on the values ​​and advances that have shaped our relationship with childhood and the rights of the youngest.

Fabien Kuhn is responsible for the Signé Genève section. He is also a journalist in the local section and has worked at the Tribune de Genève for 20 years, notably for the website.More info

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments