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Anastasia Balezdrova

Aphrodite - the eternal symbol of beauty, femininity and love has inspired thousands of artists. Praised in the hymns of Homer, depicted in the most significant works of artists from different schools, she is still a source of inspiration for contemporary artists.

Proof of this is the new exhibition of the Museum of Greek Folk Art entitled "Aphrodite 2012: Sacred and Profane Purifications." According to the organisers, the exhibition is a challenge to the visitors to redefine the human and social body in today's era.

Over 50 artists from Greece and abroad recreate the vicissitudes of the human body along its historical road, subjected to different tensions and pressures. Starting from the ancient beauty, they present their creative vision and perception and show how romantic passions make our road of life more exciting.

Paintings, photographs, literary evenings, which will present the works of writers and poets of the world, music, theatre and dance events will fill Saturdays and Sundays until April 30.

The Greek national film library will show films for film fans among which will be 7 Greek and 7 foreign films, including "Little Aphrodites" by Nikos Koundouros, "Troades" by Michalis Kakogiannis, "Wings of Desire" by Wim Wenders, "And God Created Woman" by Roger Vadim and "Medea" by Lars von Trier.

The exhibition has been organised on the occasion of the rotating European Presidency of Cyprus. In mythology, Aphrodite was born from the foam of a wave that broke on the beach in Paphos.

The exhibition is held in one of the buildings of the museum -"The Bath-House of the Winds." It has remained since the Ottoman rule and it was operating as a public bath until 1960. In 1990, it was restored and it is now operating as a museum," the director of the museum Elena Melidi told GRReporter.

Many of the artists say that in addition to the main topic - Aphrodite, the hall in which the exhibition will be presented is no less inspiring, "because it symbolizes the purification of body and soul. We leave our old ego here and go away with the new one."

The musical performances will present melodies from antiquity to the Baroque period, tango, contemporary music and traditional songs and genres.

"The Bath-House of the Winds" is located in Plaka, at the foot of the Acropolis, on 8, Kiristou Str. It will be running every day from 8 am to 3 pm except Tuesday. The programme of the musical and theatrical events is available on www.melt.gr and http://aphrodite-project.eu.