The oldest surviving epigrams are inscriptions at Greek sanctuaries around 500 BC. Accordingly, the word ‘epigram’ is derived from the Greek word ἐπιγράφειν (epigraphein = to write on).

Good epigrams had to be short and to the point, and they soon tended to become more poetic. So, they were not just the ancient version of KISS (Keeping It Short and Simple) but also close to what we call an interpretive theme. An epigram should catch a whole in a brief sentence that included some deeper meaning.

In 1802, Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote – in epigram style:
What is an epigram? A dwarfish whole,
its body brevity, and wit its soul.

Of course, not all epigrams fulfilled this requirement; in fact, some were rather long – as not all interpretive themes are strong interpretive themes. But one can find enough good examples to support the idea.

According to the historian Herodotus (484-425 BC), one of the most famous epigrams was placed at Thermopylae, where a small group of Spartan warriors fell in 480 BC in their attempt to repulse a massive Persian army. According to a modern translation of Herodotus’ text (taken from the novel ‘Gates of fire’, Pressfield 1998:1), it read:
Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by,
that here obedient to their laws we lie.

Obviously, reading this was meant to make the place resonate with its visitors by referring to the universal concept of faithfulness, even providing the reader with a task beyond the site. This also fulfils all five requirements IE suggests in its training handout ‘Creating an interpretive theme’, by:

• Supporting but also exceeding the physical experience of the site
• Revealing a universal concept that is relevant to all people
• Being one short and simple sentence and including only one strong idea
• Exciting not only the author but most likely also getting under the skin of others
• Being suitable as a summarising statement in an interpretive text or talk.

A more in-depth investigation of the Thermopylae epigram can be found in Ziogas (2014). Since in ancient times, the Spartans, especially those who inhabited the region of Laconia in Peloponnese, were famous for being succinct; such phrases were also called Laconic phrases. Among the countless anecdotes around their use is one about Philipp II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, sending a messenger to Sparta with a lengthy letter. The letter announced that he would kick the Spartans out if he would get to Laconia. It is said that the Spartan letter of reply just read: “If”. One can imagine that Socrates was a great admirer of Laconic phrases…

As usual, the Romans were among the first who included the Greek tradition of epigrams into their own culture, although shifting towards more satirical versions. Subsequently, one can trace epigrams throughout the following 2,000 years of European history. Most likely, you can also find good epigrams in the literary history of your own region.

References:
Coleridge, S.T. (1802) ‘Epigram’. The Morning Post and Gazetteer from 23 September 1802.
Pressfield, S. (1998). Gates of fire: An epic novel of the battle of Thermopylae. New York: Doubleday
Ziogas, I. (2014) ‘Sparse Spartan verse: Filling gaps in the Thermopylae epigram’. Ramus 43 (2): 115–133

Thorsten Ludwig is an interpretive trainer and planner based in Germany. Since 1993, he has run Bildungswerk interpretation as his own company. You can get in touch with him at: Th.Ludwig@interp.de.

To cite this article: Ludwig, Thorsten (2022) ‘Interpretive themes during the Ancient era?’ in Interpret Europe Newsletter 2-2022, pg.5

Available online:

As someone who deals with tourism on a practical level – as a head of a tourist office and as a tourist guide – but also as someone who deals with tourism on a scientific level by scruntinising tourism trends and communication in tourism, I can not hide my enthusiasm for a workshop like the heritage interpretation one delivered by Interpret Europe.

This type of workshop and the training of various tourism stakeholders to interpret and show love for their heritage, shows how Interpret Europe keeps pace with tourism trends. More and more people are looking for a unique experience and some more meaning, some special message, and not just a list of facts and boring data.

Personally, what thrilled me the most in the workshop was the enthusiasm of the trainer, whose energy moved all participants to get involved from the very beginning and very successfully master the techniques of heritage interpretation. As someone who deals with communication on a scientific level, I noticed that some participants made significant progress, and our trainer constantly pointed out good and bad practices and enabled everyone to become an even better interpreter.

Each of us can make our own contribution to the interpretation of heritage through original interpretive walks and speeches. Every country, and especially small countries like Croatia, needs a special story to attract attention. Interpreting heritage as a communication tool is something that all countries, and especially those less recognisable countries, should be encouraged to embrace.

When we become aware of the importance of communication, but especially the importance of interpretation, then we will no longer have to worry about our heritage because it will be in the hands of those who recognise the importance of heritage preservation.

Many thanks to Interpret Europe, to the trainer, Ivana Zrililć, and to all participants who made me an even better interpreter.

Dejan Gluvačević, PhD, is a private entrepreneur and external associate at Faculty of Political Science (University of Zagreb, Croatia). His scientific research includes areas of destination branding and communication in tourism. Professional experience gained working as a PR manager, tourist guide and manager of a travel agency.

To cite this article:
Gluvačević, Dejan (2020) ‘Interpretation – more than communication’. In Interpret Europe Newsletter 4-2020, 16.

Available online: http://www.interpret-europe.net/fileadmin/Documents/publications/Newsletters/IE_newsletter_2020_4_winter.pdf