Panel Discussion | Antiquity under Pressure

Continuity in Change and the European Narrative

On the occasion of the exhibition SPOLIA 44 by Nora Okka, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) is hosting a panel discussion titled "Antiquity under Pressure – Continuity in Change and the European Narrative."

What do we actually mean when we speak of "Antiquity"?

This panel discussion invites participants to re-examine a familiar concept. Rather than being viewed merely as a closed chapter of history, Antiquity can be understood as a dynamic process shaped by the continuous interplay between the past and the present.

Amidst a complex framework of myth, scholarship, and transformation, important questions arise regarding our culture of remembrance: How do we determine what is remembered, and how do contemporary interpretations influence our view of historical documentation? Given that the study and reception of Antiquity face shifting perspectives within both academic institutions and public discourse, examining how its core concepts adapt over time is highly relevant. Practical examples will illustrate how our understanding of the past evolves alongside societal changes, and how Antiquity continues to influence art, religion, and European identity.

The panelists are leading voices in the humanities: Horst Bredekamp, Martin Maischberger, and Lorenz Winkler-Horaček.

Panel discussion in connection with the exhibition SPOLIA 44 by Nora Okka

Antiquity under Pressure – Continuity in Change and the European Narrative

June 24, 2026

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

BBAW (Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities) Jägerstraße 22-23, 10117 Berlin, Einstein Hall (Einsteinsaal)

Spolia 44

Exhibition dates: June 6 – July 11, 2026

Exhibition venue: Unter den Linden 8 (Academy Wing of the State Library), 10117 Berlin