VATICAN CITY, JAN. 24, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences aims to honor what it deems the best newspaper article and short film and television announcement on the importance of Latin and Greek.
By giving out prizes, the dicastery seeks to support the growth of humanistic disciplines and to promote a better appreciation of history and the scientific and cultural development of Europe and related countries.
The pontifical committee believes that the progressive decline in the knowledge of Latin and Greek will lead to an ever smaller number of students capable of dedicating themselves not only to historical but also to philological, philosophical and theological studies at a proper level and, therefore, to blocking serious research in these fields.
The awards are meant to support classical culture in school and academic environments, as well as in the realm of public opinion.
Heading the awards jury is Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, an enthusiast of Latin. Other members of the jury include Monsignor Walter Brandmüller, president of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences.
The best short film will be awarded 7,500 euros. The second prize of 5,000 euros will be awarded to the best television announcement.
The prize for the winner of the newspaper competition is 5,000 euros. The competition has extended to May 31 the deadline for the publication of articles.
For more information on the prizes, e-mail vati644@scienstor.va, or, beginning Feb. 1, consult the committee’s Web page at www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pont_committees/scienstor/it/default.htm.
Pius XII established the pontifical committee in 1954 to promote the development of historical sciences through international cooperation.
