‘The Memory of Ancient People’ show
Created by skillful writers who were also great painters, Mexican codices are seen today as works of art. A number of these are showcased in «The Memory of Ancient People,» an exhibition currently on display at the Association for Macedonian Studies’ gallery in Thessaloniki. This colorful exhibition showcases copies of illustrated manuscripts produced by the magnificent civilizations of the Maya, the Aztecs and various other ethnic groups whose societies flourished in Central America. Providing first-hand information, these manuscripts became historical sources, as they recorded the achievements of these indigenous societies on both a cultural and a scientific level. The codices present a wealth of information on a number of issues including religious convictions, rituals and history, as well as the organization of financial and calendrical structures prior to the arrival of the Spanish, while it also sheds light on the changes that the latter brought or developed following their occupation. The production of the codexes continued until the 18th century, 200 years after the Spanish conquest. This led to a number of experts expressing an interest in studying them at length. The «Memory of Ancient People» exhibition in Thessaloniki was jointly organized by the municipality’s cultural department, the Association for Macedonian Studies and the Mexican Embassy in Athens, and will run until March 28.
