A public space for ideas
A nonprofit organization dedicated to making a humanities education more approachable, accessible and engaging.
Coming up
Oct 24, 2026
On August 27th, Athenae Initiative gathered at Bar Milton-Parc for our official launch; it was an evening filled with great conversation, new connections, and most importantly, a shared appreciation for the humanities. Thank to our supporters, we raised over $500 through our 50/50 raffle tickets, which was an amazing way to kick off Athenae's fundraising efforts.
Oct 24, 2026
For Athenae's first workshop, participants designed and carved their own prints, then used them to create their own one-of-a-kind bookmarks — complete with handmade tassels to finish them off. Throughout the activity, we got to learn about the fascinating history of printmaking from Emma Quỳnh Liên Wong, making the workshop not only hands-on, but also educational. And of course, everyone got to enjoy a drink from Kuya's special set menu, featuring coffee, matcha, and homemade syrups and toppings.
Oct 28, 2026
Prof. Freedman will explore The Odyssey through the relationship between the epic, its storytellers, and its audiences: Who are the storytellers in The Odyssey? And who is the audience? From Travis Scott's role as bard in Christopher Nolan's adaptation, to the seductive promise of the sirens to "sing of everything that has happened," this presentation explores the Odyssey through the roles of bards, storytellers, and listeners. What is the power--and what are the dangers--of the story? Why and how does this epic still seduce contemporary audiences?
Field notes
Sep 27, 2026
Through a close reading of Homer's Odyssey, the essay explores transformation, identity, and the unsettling loss of humanity that follows when we are made into something other than ourselves.
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