In January of the coming year we will celebrate the centenary of the birth of
Marija Gimbutas,
who was not only a gifted archaeologist but a Master of Thought,
which questioned the basis of the concept of Civilization, as expressed
from Western culture.
We will report initiatives and projects as we become aware of them, with the hope that not everything will necessarily have to take place online, but rather that its celebrations will be an excellent opportunity to meet again in person.
At the moment we know that Joan Marler - already editor of the volume From the Realm of the Ancestors thought about her passing in 1994 and in which she collected essays from collaborators, supporters and research colleagues - is preparing a new anthology which will testify to the paths archaeo-mythological research followed after her and inspired by her.
And that the OPUS Archives institute where hundreds of his publications are kept and available for consultation will dedicate the whole year to an exhibition that will be available both in the physical location, the archives of the Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California, and that can be visited online.
And it is precisely Opus that reports that UNESCO has nominated Marija Gimbutas in the list of prominent figures to be given public international recognition for the merits obtained in the field of knowledge, science and culture of humanity.
Every two years the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) develops a list of anniversaries of historic events and of eminent personalities for celebration.
For the 2020-2021 time period, UNESCO named Marija Gimbutas to their list in recognition
of her upcoming 2021 centennial. To participate in honoring Gimbutas, we
I am busy finalizing the research and development of a new year-long
exhibit, which begins January 23, 2021, the 100th anniversary of her birth.
At that time, we will launch the exhibit in a virtual format that will
be made available to all, and the physical exhibit will remain in place
for anyone who visits once campus is open again.
OPUS is proud to be able to share valuable materials from Gimbutas' mythology and archeology collection with you, especially in conjunction with UNESCO's stated interest in an international perspective of education, science, and culture and the distinction they have bestowed upon her.