The trial of Socrates… live!

About 2.500 years later, the most famous trial in history is repeated, live streaming and in modern conditions. The difficult task has been undertaken by the Onassis Foundation and will take place on Friday, May 25, at the House of Letters and Arts. There will meet prominent lawyers from Europe and America, who will be called upon to reconsider the social and legal issues behind the accusations faced by Socrates, while the final decision will be made by the public, who will watch the process live, both from the room as well as via the Internet;

Centuries after his death (399 BC), however, the great philosopher sits back in the seat of the accused. With exciting speeches and a river of arguments from both sides, the event aims to re-examine the case, based on historical and contemporary sources and studies, adapting it to the climate of today's public debate and to the prevailing conception of justice. The ultimate goal, through the process and the interesting exchange of legal arguments, is the re-approach of Socrates as a philosopher and his contribution to the public life of ancient Athens.

A similar virtual "trial of Socrates" took place last May in the Federal Court of New York, again on the initiative of the Onassis Foundation. At that time, Socrates was acquitted. Will the verdict change this year?

In the modern trial in favor of Socrates will argue the lawyers Michael Beloff from England and Patrick Simon from France, while in favor of the Athenians the lawyers Elias Anagnostopoulos, if. Professor of Criminal and Criminological Studies, and Dr. Antonis Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation.

The role of judges in this original court will be: Lord Richard Aikens, Judge, Member of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales (England), Sophie – Caroline De Margerie, Judge of the Legal Council of the State (France), Pierre Delvolvi, Member of the French Academy of Ethics and Political Science, Stephan Gass, Vice-President of the Swiss Court of Appeal, Dr. Giusep Nay; Former President of the Swiss Federal Court; Loretta Preska; academic, vol. Professor of Criminal Law, former Speaker of Parliament, Vassilios Rigas, former Vice President of the Supreme Court, Sir Stephen Sedley, Member of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, Francois Terri, Member of the Academy of Ethics and Political Science (France), Professor Harm Peter Westermann Law at the University of Tübingen (Germany).

The new trial will take place in Greek, English and French with simultaneous translation on the main stage of the Roof, at 6.30 p.m. The entrance ticket costs 5 and 10 euros. Information and reservations at 210–90.05.800.