OLYMP'ARTS-OLYMP'ARTS official website

FOUNDING
CHARTER

* "The Eternal Olympics" - The Art and History of Sport
- Publisher Nicolaos Yalouris - Caratzas Brothers Publishers
- New Rochelle - New-York 1979

The "Olympic Arts" were created to take up the artistic competitions that had been initiated in ancient Greece, in 566 BC.
* The generic tittle became "Arts de l'Olympe / Olymp'Arts" in 2016, with the IOC agreement.

In the ancient Greek calendar, every four years, the third year after each sport olympiad, global art activities were organized and promoted at some sacred spot.

Artists all over the world, amateur and professional, are invited without any age or cultural restrictions.

All existing art disciplines will be covered.

The main goal of OLYMP'ARTS is to show the main role of art in building a better world. The purpose is to bring people from different cultural backgrounds together and surround the works that can reflect unique values, such as Universality, Aesthetics, Harmony and Non-violence, proving that art is the carrier of deep and persistent values.

In addition to its etymology, one of the goals of OLYMP'ARTS is to provide an opportunity for talented artists lacking the necessary means of spreading their message to become recognized global artists.

The OLYMP'ARTS trophy will be awarded to some of the best works after selection on the specified website (under development) according to the specified general competition rules.

Each Modern OLYMP'ARTS competition will assign a theme to all artists to facilitate their efforts to develop their inspiration and creativity to purely human and universal values.

The highest international decision-making bodies will guarantee the impartiality of their activities and will respect the stated purposes.

Marc Verriere
Founding President

1993

In March 1993, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, sent a letter supporting the Founding President, Mr. Marc Verriere, in the establishment of the "Comité Exécutif des OLYMP'ARTS".

1993

In November 1993, Henri Lopes, Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO, sent a letter confirming that Ms. Madeleine Gobert, Director of the Division of Arts and Cultural Life, would represent UNESCO at the inaugural meeting of the "Comité Exécutif des OLYMP'ARTS".

1994

In April 1994, Mr. Nelson Paillou, President of the International Olympic Committee Paris Centenary Congress, sent a letter supporting the Founding President, Mr. Marc Verriere, in the establishment of the "Comité Exécutif des OLYMP'ARTS".

1995

On July 10-11, 1995, 68 representatives from 65 countries and regions signed the first "OLYMP'ARTS" Charter at UNESCO headquarters and established the "Comité Exécutif des OLYMP'ARTS".

2007

In March 2007, in accordance with Article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code, the "Association 《Les OLYMP'ARTS》" was established in Geneva; later in January 2021, it was officially renamed the "International OLYMP'ARTS Committee", abbreviated as IOAC.

2014

In 2014, the "Association 《Les OLYMP'ARTS》" began to launch plans for the first "OLYMP'ARTS" and was preparing to host the first OLYMP'ARTS competition in France.

2015

In July 2015, the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach, sent a letter of appreciation to the International OLYMP'ARTS Committee for its strong belief in Olympic values, copied to the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Jacques Rogge.

2016

In 2016, the generic term 《OLYMPIC ARTS》 of our appellation of origin has been modified with reference to Mount Olympus, which the shape of our logo denotes, becoming “Olymp’Arts”. Indeed, this revival of the “Olympiads of Art”, introduced by ancient Greece according to a precise calendar of which the modern concept belongs to us (official deposit INPI 1992, renewed in 2015), has always been independent of the IOC. It is to better differentiate ourselves from the sporting world and avoid any confusion that this change of terminology in our generic title was implemented. This change has been approved by the IOC in a letter dated February 12, 2016.

2018

In 2018, the French National Commission for UNESCO, the French President's General Office, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Solidarity, and the Mayor of Cannes sent letters to support the International OLYMP'ARTS Committee in holding the OLYMP'ARTS in Cannes.

2019

In 2019, the French Ministry of Culture and the French Ministry of European and International Affairs sent letters to support the "International OLYMP'ARTS Committee " in holding the OLYMP'ARTS in Cannes.

2021

In January 2021, the OLYMP'ARTS, originally scheduled to be held in Cannes, France 2021, was canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the International OLYMP'ARTS Committee decided to postpone it to 2023.

2022

On June 29, 2022, the International OLYMP'ARTS Committee held an International Press Conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, announcing that the OLYMP'ARTS 2023 will be held in Geneva, Switzerland in July 2023, and the participants registration was also launched on the official website.

2023

On October 5, 2023, the OLYMP'ARTS 2023 opened at the Zappeion Palace in Athens, Greece. This global art celebration, held every four years, focused on the theme of "Environment, Climate, and Energy," aligning closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The festival aimed to carry on the tradition of the ancient Olympic arts, connecting the world through art, and announced that the next edition will take place in 2027.

2024

On December 4, 2024, OLYMP'ARTS hosted its annual awards ceremony under the theme "Beauty Will Save the World" at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, where it honored the OLYMP'ARTS 2024 Artists of the Year. The prestigious gala convened artists, cultural leaders, and distinguished figures from across the globe, showcasing art's power to connect cultures worldwide.

2025

On July 16, 2025, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris hosted the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Olymp’Arts Charter. Representatives from 70 countries and regions gathered to sign the historic Olymp’Arts Manifesto, reinforcing global commitment to cultural exchange through art. The event also unveiled Olymp’Arts' five-year strategy focused on international art festivals and youth development, positioning art as a vital force for global unity and peace.