From Yesterday to Tomorrow:
New Technologies, Cultural Values and Innovation for the Future
The Foundation of the Hellenic World participates in the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, which takes place from September 5 to 13, 2026.
The FHW, as the first organization to use new technologies and virtual reality to promote and disseminate culture, welcomes the public at Pavilion 12 of the Ministry of Digital Governance and invites you to explore some of the innovative applications it has developed, as well as the latest projects in which it participates. 
The FHW's participation in the TIF aims to highlight the potential of virtual reality technologies and inform the public about developments in areas related to technology and culture.
Have you ever talked to a hologram?
Cleo comes straight from the digital world, with the help of Artificial Intelligence, and is waiting for you at our pavilion! Inspired by the Muse of History, she is ready to reveal all our secrets, tell you about our new productions and answer whatever you ask her.
Virtual reality and 3D visualizations
With state-of-the-art VR headsets, get ready to experience an exciting journey into a virtual world! 
You will become "assistants" to Phidias, one of the greatest sculptors of antiquity, and visit his Workshop in ancient Olympia. At the same time, you can participate in two important battles that took place during the 1821 Revolution in the wider area of today's Municipality of Megalopolis, the Battle of the Saint Athanasios Pass (Battle of Karytaina) and the Battle of Drampala.
«Virtual Reality Cinema»
The «Virtual Reality Cinema» will transport you to monuments and places, not as they are today, but through their evolution over time.
Visitors can watch the screenings «Hagia Sophia: 1,500 Years of History», which offers a complete digital reconstruction of the Hagia Sophia church in Constantinople, and «Tour of Ancient Olympia», offering a comprehensive tour of the sacred site of ancient Olympia in the 2nd century BC.
Educational activity «Reenactment of an Excavation» for primary school children.
Children excavate and uncover finds from the past which, with the use of Augmented Reality (AR), they can see in their original form and discover information about them.
Touch Church History
On the impressive touchscreen, you can view selected Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments of the Holy Metropolis of Phthiotis and explore them, listening to information about their history and iconography.
Innovation Competition for Startups in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies
The FHW organized an Innovation Competition for Startups in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies and on Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 14:00-15:00, the results will be announced.
The initiative aims to highlight new business ideas and applications that leverage the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence and XR technologies, creating solutions with growth potential and a meaningful impact on the economy and society.
The selected teams will present their business proposal before the judging committee and the public. Each participant will have 5 minutes to present their proposal, followed by questions from the judging committee.
The evaluation will be based, among other criteria, on the degree of innovation, the use of AI/XR technologies, the maturity and feasibility of the proposal, its growth potential and its business model.
The three winning proposals will receive gift vouchers from Plaisio Computers (1st Prize: 1,000 euros, 2nd Prize: 500 euros, 3rd Prize: 300 euros). In addition, Deloitte offers a particularly significant benefit, direct access to the final selection process for the next cycle of the Deloitte StartUp Accelerator, which will take place in Patras.
Finally, the Foundation of the Hellenic World will undertake to support the winners after the completion of the competition, leveraging its network of partnerships, experience and expertise. The support will include networking with businesses, investors, institutional and technology organizations, guidance for the further development and maturation of their proposals, as well as connections with potential sources of funding and investment opportunities. The goal is for the distinguished teams to gain access to a broader ecosystem that can make a meaningful contribution to the development, international outreach and commercial exploitation of their solutions.
