The International Delphic Council (IDC) is a charitable, non-governmental organization (NGO). According to the official website, IDC is the highest authority for all matters regarding the Delphic Games of the modern era, both for youth and for adult.[1] The headquarters of the IDC is in Berlin, Germany.
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The Delphic Games of the modern era trace back to the ancient Greece traditional Pythian Games of Delphi as a symbol for peace. These Games were between artists and ethnic cultural groups. They took place each year preceding to the Olympic Games. The historic Pythian Games in Delphi can be traced as far back as 2,600 years ago. The spiritual leaders form the Pan-Hellenic to perform what they can, such as wonders, theatre, music, poetry to praise the god Apollo of wonderful light, the symbol of the Oracle of Delphi. The Pythian Games were one of the four Panhellenic Games, a forerunner of the modern Olympic Games, held every four years at the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi.[2]
After the revival of the Olympic Games at the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin from 1912 to 1948 were held in different countries around the world Art competitions at the Olympic Games. Competitions in various forms of art were thematically related exclusively to the sport.
Also in the first half of the 20th century, there was a move to revive the Pythian Games at Delphi again, thanks to the initiative by the Greek poet Angelos Sikelianos.[3] In 1927, the Delphic Festival was held for the first time, but the revival was then abandoned due to the excessive costs of organizing it, but at the present time there are in Delphi annually summer Delphic Festivals, focused largely on tourists.[4]
| Meeting with Melina Mercouri, Greek Minister of Culture, 1989 | Conversation with Tzannis Tzannetakis, Greek Minister of Culture, 1990 | Meeting with Evangelos Arabatzis, Director of European Cultural Centre of Delphi, 1993. |
The International Delphic Council (IDC) was founded in 1994 – 100 years after formation of the International Olympic Committee. The founder Mr. J. Christian B. Kirsch invited people from eighteen Nations of five continents to Berlin to the founding congress in Schönhausen Palace aiming to revive the Delphic Games and providing a unique forum for worldwide arts and culture.[5] The founding countries were Argentina, Austria, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Kazakhstan, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Switzerland, United States.[6][7][8][9]
The symbolics of the International Delphic Movement reminds of the Olympic symbolics. The flag with the Delphic rings that are connected in a circle like a flower, was designed by Christian Kirsch [6] and symbolizes the connection of the six Delphic art categories.
The first president of the IDC was Hon. Mrs. Ebun A. Oyagbola of Nigeria, the General Secretary and Founder is Mr. J. Christian B. Kirsch, Germany and the present President is Mrs. Prof. Divina Bautista, Philippines since 2009 in office.[10][11][12][13]
Following the old Grecian pattern Amphictyonic League, the IDC Executive Board received since 2001 the same name - Amphictyony. The Board is elected for two years by the General Assembly of the IDC. On the IX. Session of the IDC in Jeju, Korea, the current Executive Board (Amphictyony) was elected.[14]
The International Delphic Council has also Delphic Ambassadors, including famous people like Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Lothar de Maizière (Germany).
Just as for the International Olympic Committee, the private sector is for the International Delphic Council the only source of financing. One can not say that large sponsors immediately expressed their willingness to support this new initiative.[15] That is the reason why the host country of the Delphic Games is not just looking for private sponsors, but in addition depends on the financial governmental support.
The International Delphic Council (IDC) is the co-ordinator and chief executive body of the worldwide Delphic Network. The member countries will establish national Delphic organisations (council, committee, association, union, etc.) which will coordinate with the IDC to promote and organize the Delphic Games. They receive from the IDC, the confirmation of admission after the official registration in the country.[16] There are most important requirements in two statutes - both national and international organizations - for successful cooperation.[17]
After 1994, these countries Belarus, Deutschland, Georgia (country), Greece, China, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia and USA were in the establishment of the National Delphic organizations particularly active.[18] The first regional Youth Delphic Games were held in Georgia, Albania and Russia.[19]
The National Delphic organizations design their own logo, which includes some of the IDC-symbolics.[20] In preparation of the national qualifications specially designed logos of these national games, which are endorsed by IDC.[21][22]
The decision on the venue of the next Delphic Games will be taken by vote of the members of the IDC Board at an extraordinary meeting.
The national Delphic organization of the host country together with IDC prepare for holding Delphic Games. This initiative has received many greetings from around the world, among other from Yehudi Menuhin [23] and Elena Obraztsova[24] und so weiter.
The National Delphic organizations of host countries produce after meeting with the IDC thematic posters, brochures, stamps and other products that are dedicated to the Delphic Games and the IDC Congress. The host country for the event can get support from international organizations and by its Parliament or the government.
If possible, the National Delphic organizations are opening their official websites.[25][26]
IDC and NDC Russia
The National Delphic Council of Russia (NDC Russia) held its founding in December 1998, at conference in Kursk, where Secretary General of the IDC Christian Kirsch participated. 19 March 1999 was NDC Russia at the Ministry of Justice registered, and soon afterwards officially recorded in the International Delphic Council recorded, according to IDC-status.
26 June 2000, the Head of NDC Russia V.Ponyavin turned to the Secretary General of the IDC C. Kirsch, with the request, the first Delphic Games for adult in Moscow from 1 to 10 December 2000 let to hold.[27]
Later, however, has the NDC Russia from the International Delphic Council separated, and now Russian websites and Pressa claim, the Delphic idea would be revived in 2000 by Russians.[28][29]
Despite the withdrawal of the National Delphic Council from the International Delphic Council, the Russian delegations took part in the International Delphic Games in 2007 and 2009.[30][31][32] This confirm also the illustrated Delphic calendars.[33][34]
The IDC, organize Adult and Junior Delphic Games every four years, two years apart from each other in different countries – the countries having interest to host the games are urge to bid for and it is being decided by the IDC Board Members which comprise of eleven people.
The Delphic Games is in six Delphic Art Categories, and it is under the patronage of International Institutions - the Council of Europe, UNESCO and ASEAN states.[35][36][37][38][39][40][41]
Since 1997 six international Delphic Games has been organized - three for adult and three for junior.
| Year | Event | Location | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | the first Junior Delphic Games | Tbilisi / Georgia | A Day of Dreams |
| 2000 | the first Delphic Games | Moscow / Russia | The New Mellenium |
| 2003 | the second Junior Delphic Games | Düsseldorf / Germany | Creativity & Peace |
| 2005 | the second Delphic Games | Kuching / Malaysia | Revitalising Endangered Traditions |
| 2007 | the third Junior Delphic Games | Baguio City / Philippines | Bridging Arts & Culture for our Children's Future |
| 2009 | the third Delphic Games | Jeju-si / South Korea | In Tune with Nature |
| 2011 | the fourth Junior Delphic Games | Johannesburg / South Africa | Provoke, Innovate, Inspire |
To the 15th Anniversary of the International Delphic Council (1994–2009) the appearance of a new Delphic ritual was proposed. With water ceremony from the Castalian Spring at Delphi the IDC presents this Holy Water ritual to the hosting country of Delphic Games.[42]
At the opening ceremony of the III Delphic Games 2009 in Jeju , Kim Tae-hwan, Jeju Governor and prominent actress Ko Doo-sim, the cultural ambassador of the Jeju Delphic, exhibited a combining ritual in which two waters ― from the Castalian Spring and from the lake on the peak of Mount Hallasan ― were mixed together to celebrate a successful opening.[43][44]
In the future – six months prior to the Games – a Kastalian Spring Water Ceremony will symbolise the count down till the Opening next Delphic Games.[14]
Events
On 14 March 2010 the International Delphic Council has organised the celebration of the Delphic Games during the Grand Finale Show at the ITB Berlin, the world's biggest and most important exhibition in tourism. There was the Feast of Delphic Games under the motto: «Arts and Culture - an experience for all senses».[45] This event corresponds to the UNESCO initiative: «2010 - International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures».[46]
In a relaxed atmosphere all visitors and exhibitors had the chance to enjoy the Feast of Delphic Games at the Grand Finale Show of ITB Berlin 2010.[47]
In addition to the celebration of the Delphic Games for the ITB Berlin in 2011, an international contest for short documentaries - the Delphic Art Movie Award 2011 - is scheduled. This was intiated by the International Delphic Council.[48][49][50][51]
Delphic arts and culture categories
The International Delphic Council (IDC) and the hosting nations National Delphic Council (NDC) meet together and choose the disciplines out if the Delphic arts categories as presentation programme for the Games.
Acoustic Arts (i.e. Singing, instrumental, electronic sounds ...)
Performing Arts (i.e. Dance, theater, circus ...)
Lingual Arts (i.e. Literature, lectures, moderation ...)
Visual Arts (i.e. Painting/graphics, sculpture/installation, photography/film, architecture, design, fashion, handicraft ...)
Social Arts (i.e. Communication, internet, media, pedagogic, didactic ...)
Ecological Arts (i.e. Landscape and city planning, preservation and conservation of nature, buildings, memorials and monuments ...)
Jury
The competitors presents and demonstrate their work traditionally or modern arts to make the programme attractive. The independent experts served as Judges to decide for professional work and take decision for the best price award. The Judges are specialist like art teachers, professional artist and prominent persons.
Prize and award
The most important elements of the Games are artistic competitions the presentations and exhibitions. Exceptional artists will be honoured with special awards of the International Delphic Games such as:
Delphic Medals Award - gold, silver and bronze for comparable Delphic art categories.
Delphic Lyre Award - exceptional artistic individual performance as a part of a larger synthesis of the arts
Delphic Laurel Award - for outstanding and incomparable artistic performances
Delphic Certificate - for all active participants of the Delphic Junior Games and of the Delphic Games for adults