Gold of the Thracian horsemen: Treasures from Bulgaria : Montreal, Palais de la civilisation, 30 May-4 October 1987

The imperishable treasure in this exhibition entitled "Gold of the Thracian Horsemen - Treasures from Bulgaria", showcases the marvelous works of art created millennia ago and moves us to wonder and admire them as they will for generations to come. Archaeological research has shown that the Thracian people, who were, according to Herodotus "the most numerous nation in the world after the Indians", were endowed with such creative genius that we may well describe their land as one of the cradles of civilization. The cultural heritage of the world is greatly enriched by the extraordinarily beautiful creations of the Thracians. The masterpieces shown here were made over a period stretching from the end of the Chalcolithic era (the fourth millennium B.C.) up to the Roman occupation of the Balkan peninsula. These magnificent works from the dawn of time are, in their universal human qualities, important to us and to posterity. We need their human and spiritual values, for they make us the heirs of a great culture which is still to some extent unknown and insufficiently appreciated. The Thracian works of art are mute but eloquent witnesses to man's endless quest for beauty and harmony. Each of these objects, made by the skillful hands of Thracian craftsmen, depicts an aspect of the struggle between good and evil, in which both men and animals take part.