The second World Conference of Classics will be held in Athens, Greece, from June 9 to 10, 2026, under the theme "Dialogue between Ancient and Modern: Contemporary Inspirations from Classical Wisdom," organizers announced at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.

According to the briefing, the conference will bring together leading scholars of classical studies worldwide, as well as global experts in civilization, culture and archaeology studies, to foster in-depth dialogue on issues related to classical civilizations and provide an important platform for researchers to exchange ideas, enhance mutual understanding and build consensus.

The conference is jointly organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), China's Ministry of Education, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture of Greece and the Academy of Athens.

In addition to the opening ceremony, plenary sessions and closing ceremony, the conference will feature four parallel forums focusing on key themes. The discussions are expected to explore how classical traditions can give insights to contemporary global challenges and promote mutual learning among civilizations.