Ancient philosophy entered the digital age in southern Athens, where visitors put on virtual-reality headsets and stepped into a world featuring some of history's most influential thinkers.

The exhibition, held in Nea Smyrni alongside the Second World Conference of Classics, used artificial intelligence, interactive screens and immersive displays to place figures from Greek and Chinese history in a modern setting.

Among the digital encounters was an imagined meeting between Socrates and Confucius, allowing visitors to explore the ideas of the two philosophers through 21st-century technology.

Artists, academics and members of the Greek and Chinese diasporas attended the event, which also featured cultural discussions and presentations examining the historical links between the two countries.

Hu Heping, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party, said dialogue between civilizations was increasingly important in a world facing shared challenges.

"Different civilizations must cooperate, engage in dialogue and learn from one another," he said. "Only by fully drawing upon the wisdom of peace, the philosophy of coexistence and the innovative spirit within their respective traditions can they strengthen solidarity and mutual support."

Pairing major historians

The exhibition also paired major historians from the two traditions. Herodotus, often described as the father of history in the Western tradition, was presented alongside the ancient Chinese historian Sima Qian  .

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu said digital technology was being used to create an exchange across centuries.

"Through the vivid use of modern artificial intelligence and digital technologies, Confucius and Socrates engage in a dialogue across time and space, while Herodotus and Sima Qian recount the long course of history together," he said.

Organizers said the displays were designed not only to recreate the past but also to examine how classical ideas about ethics, harmony, responsibility and society can be interpreted in the modern world.

The programme also highlighted cooperation between Greek and Chinese museums, universities and research institutions. This includes joint exhibitions, academic projects and initiatives promoting the study of both civilizations.

Georgios Kizaskalou, secretary-general of the Greek Ministry of Culture, said new technology could help introduce classical philosophy to wider audiences.

"Modern technologies can serve as a valuable medium for engaging with the classical ideals that have been handed down to us," he said. "That, after all, is the greatness of the classics: they never cease to inspire and acquire new meaning in every age."

Taking place against the backdrop of the Second World Conference of Classics, the Nea Smyrni exhibition presented ancient storytelling in a strikingly modern form – showing how ideas developed thousands of years ago continue to connect cultures today.