The Search for Self and the Return Home: In Conversation with Eugenia Manolidou

Homer’s *Odyssey* serves as a timeless blueprint for the human condition, framing the journey of *nostos*—or homecoming—as a profound quest for self-knowledge. By navigating life’s inevitable obstacles, individuals reconcile with their personal narratives, mirroring the protagonist's own path to identity. The ancient Greek concept of *philoxenia* further underscores this, establishing a sacred, universal duty to care for strangers that transcends specific cultural or political affiliations. Reclaiming this classical inheritance requires active engagement with the language and traditions of the past, which remain accessible and vital for cultivating freedom in an era dominated by technological distraction. Composer and classicist Eugenia Manolidou emphasizes that integrating these historical rhythms and values is essential for navigating modern life, transforming education from a mere accumulation of information into a transformative process of discovering one's true purpose and place in the world.