Athens is still one of the liveliest cities in Europe, an ancient city which has stayed young. At an early stage the Athenians adopted a questioning attitude toward life and began to develop new ideas. Thus, about 2,500 years ago, in this city there emerged the idea of democracy, which has exerted a decisive influence on modern history. In this cultural environment, literary forms such as the satire, the drama and the comedy were created. The fine arts of Central Europe are deeply indebted to the metropolis of Athens. Many of the surviving statues and temples which have been preserved are among the finest examples of classical art. Here the roots and the role models of Western culture are to be found.