The United Nations-designated International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations was marked on Tuesday with a high-level cultural forum in Athens, Greece, under the theme "Civilization and Peace: From the Parthenon to the Old Summer Palace."

Held at the University of Athens School of Philosophy, the event "Ancient Capitals Dialogue" brought together officials, scholars, cultural heritage experts and young professionals from China, Greece and other countries to explore the role of ancient civilizations in promoting mutual understanding, peace, and sustainable development.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone Ramirez said in a video address that cultural heritage goes beyond monuments and includes ideas, values, and ways of life. He noted that "the coexistence of ancient traditions and a shared future is not only possible but essential," describing the dialogue as reflecting "a shared desire to transcend boundaries and build new models of cooperation."

Dimitrios Drosos, dean of the host university's philosophy school, said Greece and China share a deep mutual respect for each other's cultural legacies and a commitment to preserving wisdom and beauty across time. "This dialogue offers a rare opportunity to trace the deeper links between civilizations," he said.

Xiong Chengyu, chair of the Ancient Capitals Dialogue and professor at the Communication University of China (CUC), said global and sustainable cultural communication is key to shared civilizational prosperity.

Zhang Shuting, president of CUC, said the Parthenon and the Old Summer Palace represent the enduring spiritual resonance of Greek and Chinese civilizations. "Civilization is not only a legacy of the past, but also a force for future development," he said. "Only through dialogue can we plant the seeds of peace through mutual cultural understanding."

Over a dozen academic institutions, including the University of Crete, the University of Athens, Tsinghua University, and the Central Academy of Drama, took part in panel discussions focusing on topics ranging from Sino-Greek philosophy and education to digital heritage preservation and comparative urban aesthetics.

Cultural institutions from China and Greece also signed cooperation agreements on joint heritage preservation and communication, including efforts to establish the Parthenon and the Old Summer Palace as "sister heritage sites." A multimedia exhibition titled "Memory and Regeneration of the Old Summer Palace" was unveiled at the University of Athens, the first time it has been displayed in Greece.

The Ancient Capitals Dialogue is co-organized by the Communication University of China and the University of Athens. Launched in 2022, it has previously been held in cities including Paris and Jaipur.