Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey” raised a storm of reactions long before it was even screened, with many people here in Greece saying that it was an affront to our culture. Within a few days of its premiere, however, it caused a wave of positive publicity for Greece, which extended well beyond the usual curiosity of the tourist to spark a fresh interest in the country’s cultural heritage.
One might have expected us to have greater confidence in that heritage. Instead of reacting with suspicion and apprehension, we could approach it with greater self-confidence and a more outward-looking point of view.
We are in possession of a great treasure, of natural and cultural assets whose enduring value has transcended the ages. And instead of investing in this treasure with confidence and daring, we allow our insecurities to diminish it.
