top of page

INTERNATIONAL LEGO CLASSICISM DAY

#ILCD #ILCD25 #ILCD2025 #InternationalLegoClassicismDay #InternationalLegoClassicismDay2025

 

International Lego Classicism Day is a social media event celebrated across the world every year on the 20th February, the anniversary of the formation of the Brick Classicists Empire or BCE (previously Lego Classicists). Each year, individuals, organizations and institutions participate by playing with ancient history through LEGO and sharing the results on social media using the official hashtags for the day. This year, 2025, is the 9th Annual International Lego Classicism Day. 

 

International Lego Classicism Day was founded by Liam D. Jensen, “The Brick Classicist” in 2017 and has been hosted by many ancient history and classics university departments, museums and institutions including the The Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney, the Museum of Antiquities, University of New England, The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, University of Reading and the British School at Athens.

 

Past participants across the world have included school children, libraries, university classics departments, museums and every day individuals, including the British Museum, the Acropolis Museum, the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick, who have all joined in the fun. The day encourages diversity and inclusion, and participants have come from countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Italy, Greece and the USA. It is co-ordinated from Australia.

 

Many renowned academics, authors and classics personalities have participated in the past including Prof. Mary Beard (classicist, Trustee at the British Museum and TV broadcaster), Prof. Michael Scott (classicist at University of Warwick and TV broadcaster), Dr. Donna Zuckerberg (classicist and author Not All Dead White Men), Natalie Haynes (author and comic classicist) and Dr. Stephanie-Anne Ruatta (classicist and historian of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Immortals Fenyx Rising).

 

By using LEGO bricks, everyone, regardless of their skills, language, culture or education can be directly involved with the ancient world, which provides understanding and perspective relevant to the modern world and our everyday lives. LEGO universalises our ability to communicate and come together in a way that everyone can be a part of.

 

This event celebrates playfulness, connection, diversity and inclusion by encouraging everyone to be able to be equally involved and relevant.

​

Prof. Michael Scott's Inaugural Professorial Lecture This is Sparta: The Ancient World Then and Now 

Recorded on International Lego Classicism Day, 20th February 2019 at the University of Warwick, UK

CAN I GET INVOLVED?

​

International Lego Classicism Day is open to everyone. All you have to do to join in is play with ancient history (any culture!) using LEGO bricks or figures in any way you like and post your results on the day on your social media using the official hashtags!

​

#ILCD #ILCD25 #ILCD2025 #InternationalLegoClassicismDay #InternationalLegoClassicismDay2025

​

You could share a photo of your favourite LEGO ancient world model (the LEGO Pompeii model at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, Sydney, and the LEGO Acropolis at the Acropolis Museum, Athens, are two of my personal favourites), build your favourite classical building with LEGO bricks, or for those lucky enough to be in a part of the world where there are classical ruins, take a photo of a LEGO figure sitting at a famous ancient site. You might even want to make a video, an animation or a graphic novel telling us about your favourite ancient history story! You can do as little or as much as you like – only your imagination is your limit!

 

Everyone can join in, no matter how old you are, where you live, how much you know about the ancient world or whether you are an institution or an individual.

 

Throughout the day, a selection of any participants posts is chosen for posting on Lego Classicists social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter) so make sure you use the official hashtags so that we can see your wonderful LEGO ancient world creations!

​

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

HOW DID ILCD START?

​

The idea for International Lego Classicism Day was born from an email conversation between Liam D. Jensen and Assoc. Prof. Plant (who was the Head of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University) when we worked out it was coming to the first anniversary of the BCE and it was decided to hold a high tea outside their Museum (so Ian is also the co-founder of ILCD).

 

But since then its grown into something much bigger than just an anniversary, as now its been owned by individuals, universities, institutions and museums across the world as a way of engaging with the ancient world through LEGO bricks.

 

In 2021 International Lego Classicism Day was recognised as an official day on the events website eventguide.com and on daysoftheyear.com in 2023.

​​

OFFICIAL LC FAMILY CONTENT
LC Pantheon

​

Hosts

​

Since the inception of International LEGO Classicism Day in 2017 we have invited a classics university department, museum or ancient history institution to be the official host for the day.

​

  • 2025: The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, University of Reading, UK

  • 2024: Ubisoft Quebec (Game Developers of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey), Canada

  • 2023: The Hellenic Museum, Melbourne, Australia

  • 2022: The Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney, Australia

  • 2021: The British School at Athens, Greece

  • 2020: The Department of Classics, Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Adelaide, Australia

  • 2019: The Museum of Antiquities, University of New England, Australia

  • 2018: The Nicholson Museum, University of Sydney, Australia

  • 2017: The Museum of Ancient Cultures, Macquarie University, Australia​

​

​

Brick Classicist of the Year Award

 

The Brick Classicist of the Year award is given out annually on International Lego Classicism Day. The award is given to an existing member of the Brick Classicists Empire or BCE who shows great dedication to opening up Classical study and the ancient world to all of the community and creating a more inclusive engagement.  Read more here

​

  • 2026: To be announced on the day

  • 2025: Prof. Dame Mary Beard

  • 2024: Dr. Irving Finkel

  • 2023: Natalie Haynes

  • 2022: Prof. Michael Scott

  • 2021: Dr. Donna Zuckerberg

  • 2020: Prof. John Bennet

  • 2019: Dr. Stephanie-Anne Ruatta

  • 2018: Michael Turner FSA FLS​

​

​

Special Figures

 

The Brick Classicists Empire releases a special new mini figure BCE portrait to ad to the BCE members on the day

​

  • 2026: To be announced on the day

  • 2025: Prof. Percy & Annie Ure, Founders of the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, UK

  • 2024: Michael Dagostino, Director of the Chau Chak Wing Museum, Australia

  • 2023: Sarah Craig, CEO Hellenic Museum, Australia

  • 2022: Dr. Shuxia Chen

  • 2021: Dr. Chau Chak Wing

  • 2020: Prof. Johannes (Han) Baltussen

  • 2019: Melissanthi Mahut & Michael Antonakos

  • 2018: Mrs Gill Andrews

​​

 

The BCE Pantheon

​

Since 2020, each year on International LEGO Classicism Day the Brick Classicists Empire invites up to 12 institutions, academics and individuals of all ages, called the BCE Pantheon, to create official content for the day across social media platforms.

 

Through this BCE Pantheon the aim is to help spread diverse content about the ancient world to a wider, more general audience to help the understanding of how the ancient world is relevant to us all in contemporary life.

​

If you would like to be involved as an BCE Pantheon content creator for the next ILCD 2026 email your interest at: contact@brickclassicists.com submissions close on 31st January 2026.​

​​​

2026

 

  • Dr. Pippa Steele and the VIEWS Project, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Dr. Cora Beth Fraser and the Hadrian’s Wall Classical Association, UK

​

2025

 

  • Dr. Pippa Steele and the VIEWS Project, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Dr. Cora Beth Fraser and the Hadrian’s Wall Classical Association, UK

  • Dr. Helen Forte, Latin teacher and illustrator of the Minimus Latin Books, UK

  • Dr Paul Grigsby and the Warwick Classics Network, University of Warwick, UK

  • Dr. Bronwyn Hopwood and the Museum of Antiquities at the University of New England, Australia

  • Prof. Michael Scott, University of Warwick, UK

  • Natalie Haynes, Author and Comedian, UK

​

2024

 

  • Dr. Pippa Steele and the VIEWS Project, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Dr. Cora Beth Fraser, Hadrian’s Wall Classical Association, UK

  • Dr. Samantha Masters & Department of Ancient Studies, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 

  • Dr. Helen Forte, Latin teacher and illustrator of the Minimus Latin Books, UK

  • Prof. Amy Smith, The Ure Museum, Reading University, UK

  • Warwick Classics Network, University of Warwick, UK

  • Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities, The University of Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Sarah Craig, CEO & Head of Curation at The Hellenic Museum, Melbourne, Australia

  • Tobias Fulton, Ph.D/MPhil Candidate (Classics), University of Newcastle, Australia

  • Lexie (Alexandra) Henning and the The Ozymandias Project, USA

  • Liam D. Jensen AKA The Brick Classicist, Sydney, Australia

  • Michael Antonakos, Voice actor, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Canada

 

2023

 

  • The British School at Athens, Greece

  • Dr. Samantha Masters, Department of Ancient Studies, Stellenbosch University, South Africa 

  • Prof. John Bennet, Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, UK

  • Department of Classics & Ancient History, Warwick University, UK

  • Dr. Pippa Steele and the VIEWS Project, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Dr. Cora Beth Fraser, Hadrian’s Wall Classical Association, UK

  • Dr. Helen Forte, Latin teacher and illustrator of the Minimus Latin Books, UK

  • Prof. Michael Scott, University of Warwick, UK

  • Robbie Morane-Griffiths, Student Year 7, Dolphin School, Hurst, Berkshire, UK

  • Spyridoula Magoula and Archaeolife: Archaeology & Art, Greece

  • Dr. Elke Close, founder of hellenistichistory.com, Netherlands

​

2022

 

  • Prof. Mary Beard, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Natalie Haynes, UK

  • Dr. Stéphanie-Anne Ruatta, Inhouse Historian at Ubisoft Quebec, Canada

  • Nathan Sawaya, The Art of the Brick, USA

  • Prof. John Bennet and Dr. Michael Loy at The British School at Athens, Greece

  • Chau Chak Wing Foundation, Australia

  • The Jönköpings läns Museum, Sweden

  • ​Dr. Pippa Steele and the Crews Project, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Dr. Paul Donnelly, Australia

  • Constantinos Vasiliadis at the Acropolis Museum, Greece

  • Lexie (Alexandra) Henning and the The Ozymandias Project, USA

  • Jesse Jensen-Kohl Phd candidate at the University of Sydney, Australia

​​

2021

 

  • Natalie Haynes, UK

  • Dr. Pippa Steele and the Crews Project, University of Cambridge, UK

  • Prof. Michael Scott, Prof. Zahra Newby, University of Warwick, UK

  • Dr. Cora Beth Fraser at Open University, UK

  • Jesse Jensen-Kohl Phd candidate at the University of Sydney, Australia

  • Katali Jarefjäll and the Jönköpings läns Museum, Sweden

  • Prof. John Bennet and Dr. Michael Loy at The British School at Athens, Greece

  • A/Prof. Giacomo Pardini at the University of Salerno, Italy

 

2020

 

  • Prof. John Bennet and The British School at Athens, Greece

  • A/Prof. Giacomo Pardini and the University of Salerno, Italy

  • Dr. Donna Zuckerberg, USA

  • Dr. Duygu Camurcuoglou at The British Museum, UK

  • Prof. Michael Scott, Prof. Zahra Newby, University of Warwick, UK

  • Dr. Stéphanie-Anne Ruatta and Ubisoft Quebec, Canada

  • Dr. Samantha Masters, Department of Ancient Studies, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Dr. Cora Beth Fraser at Open University, UK

  • Dr Bronwyn Hopwood and the University of New England, Australia

  • ​Cosi’s Odyssey (Classical social media creator), Australia.

  • Prof. Amy Smith, The Ure Museum, Reading University, UK

  • Constantinos Vasiliadis, The Acropolis Museum, Greece

​

Posts from the General Public 

 

Throughout the day, a selection of any participants posts is chosen for posting on BCE social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram & Twitter).

OFFICIAL BCE CONTENT FOR ILCD

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) portraits are designed and constructed on Gadigal Land, on which the city of Sydney now stands. We respect and honour the traditional owners and their Elders past, present and future.

 

Copyright

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) is a non-profit, artistic and educational project of pop-art portraits of classicists made with LEGO® parts by Liam D. Jensen. LEGO® is the property of the LEGO® Group, Denmark which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.

 

The term “LEGO” is used herein as a description only, for example “International LEGO Classicism Day”, “LEGO Classics Pantheon” and “LEGO Classics” should not to be mistaken for official company names. All photos are the copyright of Liam D. Jensen unless otherwise stated and may not be used without the artist’s written permission and full accreditation.

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) motto “To Do History is to Play” and its classical Greek translation "á¼±στορεá¿–ν παίζειν” is the copyright of Liam D. Jensen and Prof. John Bennet. All rights reserved.

 

The Brick Classicists Empire (BCE) website is copyright of Liam. D. Jensen, 2021-2025.

bottom of page