Summer in Greece is synonymous with sunshine, the sea, and a vibrant cultural scene. This season, island escapes and visits to historic destinations offer more than breathtaking landscapes: they also provide the opportunity to discover some of the year's most exciting art exhibitions. From landmark retrospectives of acclaimed artists to innovative group shows in remarkable heritage sites, Greek News Agenda offers a selection of exhibitions not to miss during your summer travels through the Greek islands. Take a deep breath—and dream!

NAXOS

The AFI collective brings together seven accomplished artists who, working with a wide range of materials—including paint, brushes, wood, iron, clay, handmade paper, thread, and fabric—and embracing the principles of slow making, translate ideas and traditional craft techniques into a contemporary visual language. Their new exhibition «syn AFI” at the historic Bazeos Tower on Naxos (until September 27, 2026) moves beyond a straightforward presentation of artworks, opening instead a meaningful dialogue with the monument’s handcrafted, sculptural architecture. In doing so, it proposes an alternative yet harmonious way of inhabiting the space—one that is both multisensory and multidimensional. The Naxos Festival, in the Bazeos Tower (lower photo right), began in the summer of 2001, as a bold and imaginative idea to transform an exceptional preserved monument, of the 17th century, into the current analogue of the function for which it was built: a temple of art, education and culture. (lower photo left: work by Inger Carlsson, lower photo right The Bazeos Tower)

(upper photo: Naxos Chora, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/naxos)

AMORGOS

“Mnemosyne” is a curatorial concept unfolding across the island of Amorgos, spanning three distinct locations from north to south through three interconnected exhibitions that invite visitors to journey across the island by way of memory, landscape, and the natural elements (July–August). Each exhibition explores a different facet of the overarching theme and can be experienced independently, while together they form a broader narrative linking water, place, time, and human experience. The journey begins in Aegiali with “Remembrance,” continues in Chora with “Whispers of Water,” an encounter between painting and ceramics that examines water as a force of transformation, and concludes in Kolofana with “Memory,” bringing together artists from a range of disciplines.

(upper photo: Amorgos Chora, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/amorgos)

TINOS

The Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation presents the solo exhibition by Argiris Rallias titled “Litany” in the Museum of Marble Crafts in Pyrgos on Tinos (until November 30, 2026). The exhibition, curated by Christoforos Marinos, takes place in a venue dedicated to marble craftsmanship on Tinos and the connection of this precious material to labour, worship, community and everyday life. In Pyrgos, a land with a strong tradition in the art of marble, Rallias's sculpture meets the long history of local craftsmen, merging technical knowledge with creation. The exhibition's title alludes to the litany as the movement of a community around something that transcends it. In Rallias's work, this community includes people, animals, the dead, the relatives, objects and the landscape itself. Each sculpture carries a plea, a loss, a small request for protection ((photo lower left).

The Cultural Foundation of Tinos presents this summer the painting exhibition “From Chaos to Cosmos”, featuring works by Anna Maria Tsakali and Edouardos Sakayan (photo lower right). Conceived as a creative dialogue between two leading figures of the contemporary Greek art scene, the exhibition brings together their distinct painterly languages to engage with the existential, social, and ecological questions of our time. (until August 23, 2026)

(upper photo: Dovecoats, a feature of the Tinos landscape considered some of the most impressive works of art in the Cyclades, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/tinos)

CHIOS

The Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation presents the temporary photography exhibition by Giorgos Tatakis titled “Caryatis IV | Chios” in the Chios Mastic Museum (until December 31, 2026). The exhibition includes thirty-six photographs in black and white, selected from numerous images captured by Tatakis on Chios (lower photo George Tatakis, Chios island, Mastichochorea, Olympoi, 2021). They depict women of various generations in landscapes, settlements and historical buildings on the island. Having documented traditional costumes and their variations from twenty-one villages of Chios, Tatakis points out: "In all my travels, I have never encountered another place with such an extraordinary diversity of traditional costumes. Chios, with its exceptional textile production and unparalleled quality of fabrics, combined with the prosperity ensured by commerce, gave rise to this remarkable variety of attire. Villagers in settlements located very close to each other sought to display their wealth by distinguishing themselves from their neighbours, and so, each village developed its own distinctive attire".

(upper photo Chios, The Mastic Villages, https://www.discovergreece.com/north-aegean-islands/chios)

SYROS

The Municipality of Syros–Ermoupolis presents the group exhibition of contemporary art “Metoikoi – Transition, Integration, Creation”, hosted at the Cyclades Art Gallery from 1 to 30 August 2026. The exhibition brings together works by distinguished Greek visual artists (Daskalakis, Georgiou, Manousakis, Sakayan, Misouras, Giannakaki, Rorris, Filopoulou, Ragkou, Tzamouranis, Lappas, and Samios) and develops a creative artistic dialogue with the history, identity, and cultural heritage of Ermoupolis.  The Cyclades Art Gallery (photo lower right) has been housed since 1994 in four of the former transit warehouses on the northern quay of the port of Syros, in Ermoupolis. The warehouses were built between 1834 and 1839 based on designs by the Bavarian architect Johann Erlacher, who accompanied King Otto, and were among the earliest buildings constructed in Ermoupolis.

2026 is a truly special year as Syros  honor the 200th anniversary of its city’s naming, Ermoupolis. The anniversary cultural program of the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis unfolds before you as a celebration of memory, creativity, and culture (photo lower left). Through a rich program of concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, and activities for all ages, Syros transforms into a meeting point for arts and culture.

(upper phot Syros, Ermoupolis, Vaporia district, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/syros )

And after immersing yourself in the world of art, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the idyllic beaches of the Greek islands

Naxos, Plaka beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-beaches-naxos)

Amorgos, Agios Pavlos beach (https://www.amorgos-island.gr/en/section/aegiali-beaches/, https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-things-do-amorgos )

Tinos, Kolympithra beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-beaches-tinos)

Chios, Mavra Volia beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/explore-10-best-beaches-chios)

Syros, Delfini beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-beaches-syros)

The post Arty Summer Holidays on the Greek Islands, Part 2/4 (Naxos, Amorgos, Tinos, Chios, Syros) appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The inscription of “The Greater Olympus Area” on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Mixed Property was unanimously approved during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment and Energy expressed their joy, pride, and great satisfaction. The decision was adopted during the Committee's 48th session, held in Busan, South Korea, from 19 July. (cover photo: Stefani Summit, Mount Olympus, https://www.culture.gov.gr/)  

The inclusion of the mythical mountain on the World Heritage List is one of the highest international distinctions in the field of cultural and natural heritage conservation. It recognizes the Outstanding Universal Value of Olympus, placing it among the world's most iconic heritage sites that merit special protection and stewardship for the benefit of humanity.

Climbing road to Olympus from the west side (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

View of the Enipeas Gorge

Approximately 50,000 visitors climb Mount Olympus each year. For local authorities and stakeholders, its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List represents both an opportunity and a challenge, as it is expected to strengthen protection against the growing pressures of tourism development and climate change. Under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, properties inscribed on the World Heritage List benefit from an internationally recognized framework for protection and conservation.

The "abode of the immortals," as Homer described it, was designated Greece's first national park in 1938 in recognition of its unique natural landscape. In 1981, UNESCO designated Olympus as a Biosphere Reserve, and in 2021 it was declared a National Park by presidential decree.

"The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has unanimously decided, during its meeting in South Korea, to inscribe Mount Olympus on the prestigious World Heritage List, confirming its status as one of the world's most significant sites of cultural and natural heritage," said President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas in a statement.

"From today, the mythical Mount Olympus becomes a mountain belonging to all humanity—one that must be protected forever. UNESCO's unanimous decision to inscribe it on the World Heritage List is a landmark national achievement," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a social media post.

Calling it a historic decision taken in Busan, South Korea, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, Greece's Permanent Representative to UNESCO and head of the Greek delegation, also welcomed the inscription in a post on social media. "The unanimous global recognition of Mount Olympus as a cultural and natural property of Outstanding Universal Value is a historic achievement. The hard work, coordination, and close cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency made this landmark decision possible," said Giorgos Koumoutsakos, among other remarks.

Daphne oleoides (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

At the same time, Olympus is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem, rare species of flora and fauna, and important archaeological and historical monuments that reflect the region's long cultural heritage. It is also one of Greece's premier tourist destinations and one of the country's most recognizable symbols, embodying the enduring legacy of Greek mythology and inspiring people around the world.

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni stated: "The inscription of Mount Olympus on the UNESCO World Heritage List confirms Greece's enduring commitment to the protection, promotion, and sustainable management of its cultural and natural heritage, in accordance with the principles of the World Heritage Convention. At the same time, it enhances the international profile of a place that has long been a timeless symbol of Greek civilization, nature, and our shared world heritage, underscoring the international community's collective responsibility to safeguard it for the benefit of present and future generations. This inscription uniquely encapsulates the inseparable bond between our cultural and natural heritage. Through the Homeric epics and the works of ancient Greek literature, Mount Olympus carried Greek mythology and Greek culture to every corner of the world. It remains the eternal home of the Olympian Gods and a landscape of extraordinary richness and dramatic beauty, inspiring awe and reverence while continuing to stimulate thought, the arts, the sciences, and cultural creativity across the globe. In Homer's epics, Olympus is described as polyptychos ('many-peaked'), makros ('towering' or 'lofty'), niphoeis ('snow-clad'), and polydeiras ('deeply ravined'). These Homeric epithets became the starting point of an enduring tradition of inspiration. The image of Olympus, shaped by Homer's poetic genius nearly three millennia ago, remains unchanged to this day, inspiring the same sense of admiration and reverence in modern visitors."

Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou stated: "Greece's natural environment is a living and inseparable part of our identity, history, and culture. Its protection and enhancement lie at the heart of our government's policy. Mount Olympus, designated Greece's first National Park in 1938, is a sanctuary for rare birds of prey and is home to 28% of the country's plant taxa—more than 1,900 species, including 27 that are endemic to Olympus and found nowhere else in the world—as well as significant wildlife populations. From Mount Olympus—a global symbol linking the ancient myth of Greece's highest mountain as the abode of the gods with our country's environmental future—to the Untrodden Mountains initiative and the new National Marine Parks announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and now being implemented, we are demonstrating in practice that the protection of nature and biodiversity remains a steadfast national priority. Through the establishment and strengthening of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), we have laid the foundations for a modern, integrated system for managing Greece's protected areas. Thanks to the close cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Culture, and NECCA, a comprehensive nomination dossier was prepared for Mount Olympus' inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, successfully bringing to fruition an effort that began in 2014."

Mount Olympus (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

The successful completion of Mount Olympus' nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Mixed Property is the result of close and fruitful cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environment and Energy in safeguarding and promoting Greece's cultural and natural heritage. The nomination dossier was prepared by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), supervised by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in cooperation with the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture, drawing on the expertise of both institutions in the fields of natural and cultural heritage. The successful outcome of the nomination highlights the value of cross-sectoral cooperation. Combined with the contribution of the competent authorities and their specialized expertise, the scientific community, local government, relevant stakeholders, and other interested parties, this cooperation led to the preparation of a highly complex dossier that successfully met the rigorous requirements of the World Heritage Convention.

This inscription is of particular significance, as Mount Olympus has been inscribed on the List as a Mixed Property, one of the most demanding categories under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Inclusion in this category requires comprehensive documentation demonstrating both the site's cultural and natural values. Mixed Properties represent a relatively small proportion of all inscriptions on the World Heritage List. Mount Olympus was also the only mixed-property nomination submitted for consideration during the current session of the Committee. Together with the previously inscribed sites of Meteora and Mount Athos, Greece now has three Mixed Properties on the World Heritage List. With a total of 21 World Heritage inscriptions, this achievement is of particular importance for the country, further strengthening Greece's international presence within the framework of the Convention.

Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) on Mount Olympus (photo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1719/gallery/ )

Waterfall at the Enipeas Gorge (left), Ramonda (Jankaea) heldreichii at the Enipeas Gorge (right)

At the same time, this inscription recognizes the exceptional natural value of Mount Olympus as a site of outstanding importance for biodiversity. Rising to an altitude of 2,918 metres, and owing to its proximity to the Aegean coast, its extensive altitudinal range, rugged terrain, topographical isolation, and historical role as a glacial refuge, Olympus supports 1,983 taxa, representing more than 25% of Greece's flora. This remarkable botanical richness, combined with the exceptionally high concentration of narrowly endemic species—species found nowhere else in the world but on Olympus—endows the mountain with global significance, making it a true "ark of biodiversity." At the same time, Olympus hosts a rich fauna, including numerous species of birds and mammals, as well as the brown bear and the largest Greek subpopulation of the wild goat, along with reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Sanctuary of Isis at the Archaeological Park of Dion. Dion stands in the northern foothills of Mount Olympus, and exercises complete control over the narrow defile leading from Macedonia to Thessaly

Mount Olympus, Greece's highest mountain and a timeless symbol of Greek civilization and world cultural heritage, as the mythical home of the Twelve Olympian Gods, occupies a central place in the worldview of the ancient Greeks. Its influence, conveyed through the Homeric epics, Hesiod's Theogony, and later literary traditions, extended far beyond the boundaries of the ancient world. Today, Olympus continues to inspire literature, the arts, philosophy, the sciences, and contemporary global cultural expression. The archaeological site of Dion (photo above), located at the foot of the mountain, represents the most significant material expression of the worship of the Olympian Gods, organically complementing this exceptional cultural and natural landscape.

Read also:

Olympus: The mountain of the gods

The post The Greater Olympus Area inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

Summer in Greece is synonymous with sunshine, the sea, and a vibrant cultural scene. This season, island escapes and visits to historic destinations offer more than breathtaking landscapes: they also provide the opportunity to discover some of the year's most exciting art exhibitions. From landmark retrospectives of acclaimed artists to innovative group shows in remarkable heritage sites, Greek News Agenda offers a selection of exhibitions not to miss during your summer travels through the Greek islands. Take a deep breath—and dream!

ANDROS

The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation presents at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Andros a tribute to Germaine Richier (1902-1959), one of the most important figures in 20th century European sculpture, titled “Germaine Richier (1902-1959) – Conversations” (until September 27, 2026). The exhibition retraces the entirety of Richier’s artistic career; despite her premature death at the age of 57, she left behind a remarkably coherent body of work devoted entirely to the exploration of living forms. The exhibition also features a reconstruction of Richier's studio and highlights her work in printmaking. (upper photo: Andros Chrora, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/andros)

PAROS

As part of the cultural program of Paros Park, the Porto Aoussa art space in Naoussa, Paros, hosts the exhibition “Memories from the Aegean” by internationally renowned photographer Robert A. McCabe (until September 30, 2026). The exhibition features 82 selected photographs, personally chosen by the artist specifically for Paros. Through McCabe's lens, visitors journey across the Aegean islands from the 1950s to the late 1970s, discovering a Greece that existed before the tourism boom and the arrival of modern transportation. His photographs capture people who are humble yet proud, living and working within an authentic, unpretentious landscape. At the same time, the photographs reveal the innocence of islands such as Paros, Mykonos, and Santorini, long before they evolved into the cosmopolitan destinations they are today.

(upper photo: Paros Naoussa, https://www.discovergreece.com/cyclades/paros)

POROS

The Citronne Gallery on Poros island presents two solo exhibitions: "The Game of Emergence" by Aphrodite Liti (lower photo left, until September 13, 2026) and "Traces" by Nikos Podias (lower photo right, until September 30, 2026), the latter organized in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands. Aphrodite Liti sets up a sculptural world where sea, memory and myth fuse into a single spatial experience. A contemporary conceptual practice emerges as the artist creates an open field of relations and interactions—between the art and the setting, matter and light, the natural and the artificial, the familiar and the surreal. She employs reflection, scale and transformation to correlate nature, myth and dream. Nikos Podias collects mundane materials and reworks them into precious, almost votive objects. Fragile matter—paper, teabags, tin foil—comes into the Archaeological Museum of Poros to meet the sturdiness of marble, the hardness of metal and the earthly density of clay.

(upper photo: Poros, https://www.discovergreece.com/attica/poros )

SAMOS

The group exhibition “Fragments and Futures”, presented at Art Space Pythagorion (until October 2, 2026), the exhibition venue of the Schwarz Foundation on Samos, brings together contemporary artists whose work engages with the visual languages, material remains, and mythic narratives of classical archaeology. Through painting, sculpture, installation, performance, and digital media, these artists reconsider how ancient forms and artefacts continue to shape our cultural imagination. The exhibition asks: What does it mean to “unearth” the past today? How do contemporary artists reinterpret the ruins and relics of antiquity in light of present-day questions about identity, heritage, and historical narrative? Rather than treating classical archaeology as a fixed canon of beauty and order, the exhibition foregrounds it as a site of active interpretation. The exhibition is curated by Katerina Gregos and Ioli Tzanetaki. (lower photo: Lucia Tallová, From the series Unstable Monuments, 2023)

(upper photo: Samos Pythagorio, https://www.discovergreece.com/north-aegean-islands/samos)

CORFU

The National Gallery’s Corfu Annex presents the exhibition ”Alekos Fassianos. Under the Summer Sun” (until January 11, 2027). The poetic gaze of Alekos Fassianos unfolds through figures, colours, and moments inspired by everyday life and memory. Bringing together 46 works – including oils, acrylics, and prints – the exhibition offers a representative overview of the artist’s creative journey. The featured pieces are drawn from the collections of the National Gallery, the Alekos Fassianos Museum, and private collections, spanning nearly six decades of his artistic production. Together, they highlight both the consistency and the evolution of Fassianos’s practice, alongside his singular ability to transform life’s “small, ordinary” moments into images full of life and intensity. (lower photo: Fassianos Alekos (1935 - 2022), Set for the Play “Let’s go for a Walk”, Oil on canvas, 300 x 400 cm, National Gallery)

(upper photo: Corfu, https://www.discovergreece.com/ionian-islands/corfu)

And after immersing yourself in the world of art, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters of the idyllic beaches of the Greek islands

Andros, Old Lady's Leap beach (https://andros.gr/en/beaches.html, https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/10-best-things-do-andros)

Paros, Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach) (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/12-best-beaches-paros#chrissi-akti-beach)

Poros, The Russian Bay (https://visitporos.com/beaches.html)

Samos, Tsamadou beach (https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/best-of/12-best-beaches-samos)

Corfu, Palaiokastritsa beach (https://visit.corfu.gr/category/beaches/, https://www.discovergreece.com/travel-ideas/cover-story/best-beaches-corfu)

The post Arty Summer Holidays on the Greek Islands, Part 1/4 (Andros, Paros, Poros, Samos, Corfu) appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

«Ὡς χαρίεν ἔστ’ ἄνθρωπος, ἂν ἄνθρωπος ᾖ» - How beautiful—mature—a person is when they are truly humane

94 archaeological sites, monuments, and museums - 12 regions - 190 events – 95 productions featuring music, theatre, visual arts/performance (1 July to 31 August 2026)

The Ministry of Culture’s initiative “All of Greece, One Culture” returns for a seventh consecutive year in the summer of 2026 to present its richest and most diverse programme to date. An inextricable part of Greece’s cultural map and a vibrant meeting point where cultural heritage and modern creativity intersect, the initiative has been substantially enhanced this year, with the number of productions increasing, more than 900 artists featured in the programme, and greater participation from local communities. For two months, from the 1st of July to the 31st of August 2026, emblematic archaeological sites, monuments, and museums across Greece will come to life through original works of the performing arts, offering audiences a unique cultural experience. The Ministry of Culture provides free admission to all events in the “All of Greece, One Culture” 2026 programme.

Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, the Ministry of Culture’s “All of Greece, One Culture” programme has become one of Greece’s leading cultural institutions. Every July and August, it presents high-quality events at archaeological sites, monuments, and museums, creatively connecting contemporary art with cultural heritage. The programme also supports cultural professionals and local communities, attracting enthusiastic audiences from Greece and abroad. The initiative has its own website (www.allofgreeceoneculture.gr ), which is compatible with all mobile devices. Through the platform, users can be informed about the full programme of events and about each production separately, as well as make the necessary bookings for all the events. At the same time, this website offers an interactive map showing all performances by region, and in the “Sites & History” section, one can find presentations of all the archaeological sites that have hosted the events from 2020 to the present day.

All of Greece, One Culture 2026 - Locations & history: 94 archaeological sites, monuments, and museums - 12 regions. With the unique privilege of presenting its events at archaeological sites, monuments, and museums across Greece, the programme has been enhanced this year with 19 new venues, further expanding the initiative’s map. Through the inclusion of new archaeological sites, monuments, and museums, the programme strengthens its presence across the country, bringing to light locations of special historical and cultural significance as venues for modern artistic creativity and cultural dialogue.

The programme’s seventh run centers on a thematic focus inspired by the famous line from Menander’s play O Dyskolos (The Difficult), “How beautiful—mature—a person is when they are truly humane.” Creators and artistic groups have been invited to measure themselves against the enduring question of humanity and the need to return to humanity as a measure of artistic creativity in modern times, and to create original works of performing arts, as well as hybrid forms of artistic expression in dialogue with the specific thematic field. At a time when humanism and meta-humanism, live spectacles, and the digital condition coexist and confront one another, the return to humanity as a measure of artistic creativity is a necessary gesture. The context of “All of Greece, One Culture,” grounded in a dialogue between modern culture and the cultural repository of emblematic archaeological sites, is the ideal framework for creating works that explore the broad scope of wonder opened by Menander’s quote.

The programme includes 95 new productions featuring music (23), theatre (34), performances/events for young audiences (13), dance (14), visual arts/performance (8), and music theatre (3). The productions will be showcased in two performances each at 94 archaeological sites, monuments, and museums across 12 regions of Greece, excluding Attica, highlighting each place’s uniqueness and enhancing cultural decentralization. A total of 190 events will be held at various venues, including ancient theatres, Roman Odeons, Byzantine monuments, museums, castles, mosques, mansions, and sacred monasteries.

The events featured in 2026’s programme were selected by a special evaluation committee of the Ministry of Culture, following an open call issued via the Ministry’s online portal: drasis.culture.gr. In line with the initiative’s philosophy, these events are directed towards innovative and hybrid forms born of the dialectical pairing of multiple art forms in each event. The productions were developed from original proposals submitted by artistic groups. The evaluation committee, in collaboration with the pertinent authorities of the Ministry of Culture, selected the archaeological sites to showcase the productions across 12 regions of Greece.

This year’s TV spot for the “All of Greece, One Culture” programme draws inspiration from human nature. Filming took place at the National Archaeological Museum and features two students from the GNO Professional Dance School, Georgia Dimou and Georgios Tsiggos. The video was created using 3D animation techniques. Among the museum’s precious exhibits, human figures depicted on ancient statues come to the fore. In the spot, as the statues crack, the human figures within them come to life, move, experience emotions, and create. The campaign’s main concept highlights the connection from ancient times to the present, with humanity serving as the common thread linking all cultures and the driving force of creation throughout the centuries.

Events On Demand: The “All of Greece, One Culture” 2026 platform also offers audiences 30 selected filmed productions from 2024 and 2025, available on demand and free of charge

Booking for events is open through the programme’s official website:

www.allofgreeceoneculture.gr

The post All of Greece, One Culture 2026 appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

On May 29, the Grand Arsenal of Chania hosted an event that captures the new era opening for Greece’s largest island, Crete.  The Economist  and Powergame.gr  organized the conference “Investing in Change: How Crete is Being Transformed,” with thematic pillars spanning from development and tourism to infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, road safety, circular economy, and culture.

Crete is currently at a pivotal development crossroads. Major infrastructure projects that are being implemented or planned — from road networks and water management works to energy interconnections — combined with strategic investments in tourism and hospitality, are shaping a new development model for the island and for the Greek periphery as a whole. Strengthening infrastructure resilience, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, upgrading the tourism product and attracting international investment constitute decisive factors for the long-term prosperity of Crete and of Greece. The main pillars to be addressed during the conference include:

• The strategic importance of major infrastructure projects for Crete’s economic growth
• Investments in tourism and the transition to a high-quality, sustainable hospitality model
• The role of energy and interconnections in shaping a new productive landscape
• The contribution of local production and the primary sector to the island’s extroversion
• The cooperation between Government, Local Authorities and the private sector in accelerating development.

(Source, agenda and key speakers: https://events.economistenterprise.com/  )

In the context of the conference, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participated as the keynote speaker in a conversation with Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London. The discussion was moderated by Alasdair Ross, Countries Editor for The Economist’s The World Ahead, and Joan Hoey, Greece analyst and Europe consultant for the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

In his opening remarks, referring to Greece’s economic transformation and the investments being made in Crete, the Prime Minister noted, among others:

“We are in Crete, and this is an island which has benefited tremendously from significant public investment. And let me just highlight three projects of great importance. The first, which has already been completed, is the two electric interconnections between Crete and the mainland. These are important not only for reasons of energy security, but also because Crete used to burn diesel oil in order to produce electricity, and now it can benefit from an interconnected network and also leverage the significant renewable potential that the island has.”

“The second incredibly big public investment has been the new airport in Iraklion. When we’re looking at the potential of this island as the sort of the epicenter of the dynamic Greek tourism industry, we cannot envision an island growing to the 21^st century with 20^th century infrastructure. The old airport in Heraklion is struggling to meet the increased demands of people wanting to come to Crete. So building a brand new airport was a priority for us. It will be ready hopefully in 2028. 70% of the project has been completed.”

“And the third big infrastructure project was building a new highway that essentially runs across the northern part of the island. Again, a very significant public investment in infrastructure which is necessary to drive the island forward.”

“So for us, when we look at our agenda, public investments do play an important role alongside policies that foster entrepreneurship, bring in investment, and leverage the comparative advantages of our country. And of course, also all these projects, they’re being constructed by our big construction companies. So this is essentially a public-private partnership, given that these are concession models, which in our mind work very, very well. So this is no longer just about stabilizing the country, improving its image abroad. I think this work to a great extent has been done. Of course, we always need to be very vigilant. This is about the new phase of growth in which public investment plays a very, very important role, especially here in Crete.”

(Source: https://www.primeminister.gr/en/2026/05/29/38626 , Photos: https://www.ertnews.gr )

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in conversation with Mariana Mazzucato at the “Investing in Change: How Crete Is Being Transformed” conference in Chania

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos A. Tasoulas, officially opened the proceedings of the conference noting, among others: "Twenty-eight centuries ago, the beauty and wealth of Crete were described in the Odyssey by Odysseus himself, speaking to Penelope in Book 19: ‘There is a land called Crete in the midst of the wine-dark sea, fair and fertile, surrounded by water, with countless people and ninety cities...’ It is this Crete that has brought us together today—to speak about its beauty and its potential for the sustainable development of its natural wealth, which it has preserved through the centuries."

(Source: https://www.presidency.gr/)

Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, delivered a Keynote speech about the importance of European connectivity for sustainable development. Mr Tzitzikostas noted, among others, "Europe is investing in Crete. Through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), through its infrastructure and transport budget, through the European Investment Bank, through cohesion policy, and through investments in transport, energy, and tourism. It is investing through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which, with €1.37 billion in funding, supports 93 businesses, 72 of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. Europe invests because it believes in this place. It invests because it recognizes its potential. It invests because Crete is not Europe’s periphery. Crete is the center of the Mediterranean. Europe, therefore, is not merely a source of funding. It is a partner; it is an ally. And connectivity is not a technical issue—it is a political one. It is a choice. It is a vision.”

“Crete possesses everything it needs to play a leading role and to become a strategic asset for Greece, which can and should develop into a central hub of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), indeed serving as one of its key terminal gateways. Just as Greece is evolving into a strategic hub for the whole of Eastern Europe through the Aegean–Black Sea rail and road corridor project that we have signed and are now launching—a project that has been my highest priority since I first assumed office. Crete has the geography, the culture, and the people. It now also has the infrastructure that is being built. The new era has already begun. Here. In Crete. In Chania."

(Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/ )

Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas presented the plans and progress of the major infrastructure projects that are transforming Crete.

Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou focused on the dynamic relaunch of Greece’s hydrocarbons programme, the prospect of the first exploratory drilling operation in the Ionian Sea in half a century, and Crete’s emergence as a new energy hub for the country were at the center of remarks by. He outlined Greece’s strategy for the role of natural gas and hydrocarbons within Europe’s evolving energy landscape. According to the minister, the presence of two of the world’s largest private oil companies, Chevron and Exxon Mobil, in Greece’s offshore concession areas is neither a temporary development nor simply a reflection of the policy shift in the United States following the election of Donald Trump. Rather, he argued, it is the result of a long-term and systematic effort that began several years earlier, with Greece making sustained investments in energy infrastructure and the collection of critical geological data.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/, https://www.economistas.gr/ )

Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni noted, among others, "Culture is an important instrument of social cohesion. It brings society together in a variety of ways. At the same time, however, it is also a powerful driver of development.” The minister also referred to Greece’s approximately 28,000 archaeological sites and monuments—“an astonishing number,” as she described it—emphasizing that Crete is perhaps the place in the Mediterranean with the highest concentration of cultural assets, monuments, and archaeological sites. "Crete is also one of the most multilayered cultural landscapes, because it is not only home to an extraordinary wealth of archaeological sites and monuments spanning thousands of years, from antiquity to modern times. It is also defined by the immense strength of its traditions and intangible cultural heritage, expressed through its language, dances, songs, and gastronomy. Crete brings all of these elements together.” “At a time when major investments—such as the Northern Road Axis of Crete, the island’s energy interconnection projects, and the new airport at Kastelli—are creating critical infrastructure, what is needed, in my view, is a unifying element that ties all these developments together. That element is culture." Lina Mendoni also referred to the celebration marking the inclusion of the Minoan Palaces on the UNESCO World Heritage List, an inscription that took place in July 2025.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/home/)

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni noted "Crete is a place with a deep historical memory, a strong identity, and a decisive contribution to Greece’s development trajectory. At the same time, it embodies all the elements that make Greek tourism unique." She also underlined that Crete offers a unique and multifaceted tourism product, combining natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a strong gastronomic identity, thereby reinforcing its position as a year-round, 12-month destination. Addressing the role of Greek tourism, the minister noted that it remains a key pillar of the economy, employment, and regional development, making an especially significant contribution to Crete. The minister further referred to the major infrastructure projects being implemented by the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which are creating new development prospects for Crete and significantly strengthening the island’s connectivity and competitiveness, alongside substantial private-sector investments in tourism.

(Source: https://mintour.gov.gr/  )

Video of the Conference “Investing in change: How Crete is being transformed” (GR)

The post The Economist Conference “Investing in Change: How Crete Is Being Transformed” appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

A five-year action plan, “Greece On Screen,” launched by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (E.K.K.O.ME.D.), aims to develop the audiovisual creative economy with a total budget of €750 million for the 2026–2030 period. The Action Plan, approved by the Cabinet, constitutes a comprehensive national strategy that invests in production, knowledge, innovation, and people. It will be implemented by the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (E.K.K.O.ME.D.) and establishes a coherent policy framework covering the entire ecosystem of creative production, from cinema and television to animation, video games, and music festivals.

The Cabinet also approved the draft law establishing the School of Film Technicians and Audiovisual Creation (Level 5), which addresses a critical gap in the education and training of specialized human resources, supporting the growth potential of the audiovisual creative sector in the years ahead.

The Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center S.A. (H.F.A.C.) was established in 2024 with the merger of the Greek Film Centre and the National Centre for Audiovisual Media and Communication (EKOME). H.F.A.C. is the main body responsible for Greece’s film and audiovisual policy. Its mission is to support, develop, protect, and internationally promote the Greek film, audiovisual, and wider creative sectors; encourage domestic and foreign investment; foster innovation and the use of digital technologies; operate key initiatives such as the National Digital Repository of Audiovisual Works and Creative Hub GR; combat piracy in cooperation with relevant authorities; design education and training programs for the audiovisual industry; and support the Government in shaping and promoting national policy for the country’s film, audiovisual, and creative industries in Greece and abroad.

The Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center-Creative Greece, in the framework of its mission, designs and implements investment incentives aimed at supporting domestic investments and attracting foreign investments, in the film/audiovisual sector, as well as in the wider cultural and creative sector

The European Film Awards will be held in the Greek capital of Athens in January 2027

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated:

“With the five-year action plan ‘Greece On Screen,’ the Government — with the decisive support of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis — is proceeding, for the first time, with the formulation of a coherent, long-term, and fully funded national plan for the entire audiovisual creation sector. This is a deliberate strategic choice: to invest in culture as a driver of growth, social cohesion, and the country’s international presence.

With total resources amounting to €750 million for the period 2026–2030, we are creating a stable, reliable, and competitive environment for cinema, television, animation, video games, and every field of the modern creative economy. We are actively supporting Greek creators, strengthening businesses in the sector, and attracting international productions and investments, while creating new, high-quality jobs.

Reliable studies already demonstrate that every €1 of public investment in audiovisual creation generates €4.20 for the real economy. At the same time, with the establishment of the new School of Film Technicians and Audiovisual Creation, we are addressing a long-standing gap in specialized education and investing in the human capital that will shape the future of the Greek audiovisual sector.

Greece possesses the talent, expertise, and creative potential to play a leading role internationally. We are not merely following developments; we are shaping the conditions that will allow our country to assume a leading position in the global creative economy. Culture is Development.”

The CEO of the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (E.K.K.O.ME.D.), Leonidas Christopoulos, stated:

“The approval of the five-year Action Plan «Greece on Screen» by the Cabinet marks a critical milestone for audiovisual creation in the country. This is the first time that the Greek State has addressed the film and audiovisual industry in such a systematic and comprehensive manner, recognizing it simultaneously as a cultural and developmental pillar.

Within just 20 months, the Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center (E.K.K.O.ME.D.), in close and excellent cooperation with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, succeeded in implementing critical reforms, significantly increasing available resources, and shaping a stable and reliable policy framework with a medium-term perspective. This achievement is the result of coordinated effort and collaboration. We sincerely thank the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of National Economy and Finance for their support and close cooperation throughout this period.”

The «Greece On Screen» Action Plan aims to stabilize and strengthen financial incentives over the medium term and is expected to mobilize significant additional capital within the Greek economy, boosting employment, improving the country’s international competitiveness, and highlighting culture and creativity as key pillars of sustainable development. It is the largest support program for audiovisual creation ever designed in Greece to date.

Allocation of Resources

The allocation of resources establishes a robust, multi-layered funding framework:

• €412 million for investment programs aimed at supporting domestic film and audiovisual projects and attracting international productions in cinema, television, and animation, as well as for selective development and production programs and initiatives for the promotion and distribution of Greek cinema.
• €210 million for a loan guarantee program in cooperation with the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB), aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector.
• €20 million for the support of audiovisual digital games (digital game development) and music festivals utilizing audiovisual technology.
• €20 million for the promotion of extroversion and cultural diplomacy initiatives in the audiovisual sector.
• €52 million for the establishment and operation of the School of Film Technicians and Audiovisual Media, for education and training initiatives, for the promotion of technological innovation in the audiovisual sector, and for the preservation and digitization of cinematic and audiovisual heritage.
• €36 million for the administrative, institutional, and technical support of the program, including the repayment of previous selective funding programs, the conduct of external evaluations, the creation of a registry of experts, the development of digital tools to simplify procedures, infrastructure upgrades, the creation of networking spaces for creators, and other critical supporting interventions.

Key Interventions

Within the framework of the Action Plan, flagship initiatives are being implemented to strengthen the structure and sustainability of the sector:

• The establishment of the School of Film Technicians and Audiovisual Media at the facilities of Finos Film, whose expropriation or acquisition is being advanced by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

• The strengthening of the Thessaloniki Market (Thessaloniki International Film Festival) as an international hub, while also reinforcing Athens through targeted institutional initiatives.

• The development of an innovation center for video game development, which will operate as a hub for research and entrepreneurship.

• The utilization of the Kokovikos Residence in Plaka as a space dedicated to audiovisual heritage.

• The “Autism and Creativity” program, which promotes access to and participation in culture.

The post Hellenic Ministry of Culture – Hellenic Film and Audiovisual Center: A New Era for Audiovisual Creation appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The web portal Study in Greece is campaigning for the promotion and international visibility of Greek Universities and the comparative educational advantages of our country. In particular, the campaign focuses on the foreign language study programs that Greek Universities offer to Greek and international students. The initiative is supported by the General Secretariat of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In this context, a number of educational programs and actions are presented in detail on a regular basis, such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs, summer schools etc, to inform international students about the many foreign language options offered by Greek Universities.

Manolis I. Stefanakis is Professor of Classical Archaeology and Numismatics in the Department of Mediterranean Studies at the University of the Aegean, where he also serves as Director of the BA in Eastern Mediterranean Studies (Archaeology–History–Culture). His research focuses on Classical Archaeology and Ancient Greek Numismatics, with particular emphasis on the interdisciplinary fields of Archaeology and Sustainability and Archaeoseismology.

Study in Greece interviewed Professor Manolis I. Stefanakis on the BA in Eastern Mediterranean Studies, its features and what it has to offer to international students.

Professor Stefanakis, please give us an overview of the brand new BA program in Eastern Mediterranean Studies, its structure and its main research areas.

The BA in Eastern Mediterranean Studies (Archaeology–History–Culture) is a four-year, interdisciplinary undergraduate program, fully taught in English and exclusively addressed to an international student body. The program focuses on the study of the Eastern Mediterranean from prehistoric times to the late Byzantine and medieval periods, combining approaches from archaeology, history, and classical and cultural studies. Its structure offers students a solid theoretical background alongside methodological training, encouraging comparative and cross-cultural perspectives. The main research areas include material culture, historical processes, cultural interaction, and the long-term dynamics that shaped societies across the Eastern Mediterranean world in the past.

How does your BA align with the general extroversion strategy and internationalization goals of the University of the Aegean?

The program is fully aligned with the internationalization strategy of the University of the Aegean. Being the first undergraduate program of the university taught entirely in English and exclusively addressed to international students, it significantly enhances the institution’s outward-looking orientation and global academic presence. By welcoming students from different countries and academic backgrounds, the BA in Eastern Mediterranean Studies promotes academic mobility, intercultural exchange, and international collaboration.

Could you give us more insights about the correlation between the subject of the program and the university’s key location?

The program’s subject matter is deeply connected to the geographical location of the Department of Mediterranean Studies: Archaeology, Linguistics, International Relations of the University of the Aegean, based on the island of Rhodes. Situated at a historical crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean, Rhodes offers a unique living laboratory of archaeological sites and cultural landscapes spanning multiple historical periods. This strategic location allows students to directly engage with the material and historical realities they study.

What future prospects does your BA program open up for its graduates in the academic field and in the job market?

Graduates are well prepared for postgraduate studies and academic research in archaeology, history, heritage studies, and Mediterranean studies. Beyond academia, the program equips students for careers in museums, cultural institutions, heritage management, education, cultural tourism, international organizations, and the public and private sectors.

Your program is the first international undergraduate program featured in the University of the Aegean. Would you say that it is the first of many to be established in the university?

As the first, indeed, international undergraduate program of the University of the Aegean, this BA marks an important milestone. It reflects the institution’s commitment to expanding English-taught degrees and strengthening international outreach. While no official announcements have been made, I am sure that the program will serve as a model for future international initiatives.

What would you say to students that are interested in pursuing an academic path in this specific discipline to consider your program?

Students interested in the history, archaeology, and cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean will find this program an excellent foundation for an academic career. It offers a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum within an international academic environment. The program prepares students to contribute meaningfully to scholarship, cultural heritage, and international dialogue, while offering an insight on living history on the island of Rhodes.

Applications are now open! For more, follow the link:

https://apply.studyingreece.edu.gr/en/programmes/bsc/1728/details/eastern-mediterranean-studies-archaeology-history-culture

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The National Strategy for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change was recently presented by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni at the auditorium of the Acropolis Museum. “This is the first systematic effort to integrate the climate dimension into the management, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage in Greece, and one of the few internationally that incorporates and synthesizes updated and reliable guidelines,” emphasized Lina Mendoni, referring to the project, which integrates international standards from the UN and the EU (Cover photo: The archaeological site of Delos, Source: Ministry of Culture).

The National Strategy was developed within the framework of the project “Protection of Iconic Sites and Monuments of Cultural Heritage from Climate Change,” funded with €22,000,000 from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This project forms part of the national effort to address the impacts of climate change in the cultural sector and marks a significant step toward strengthening the resilience of the country’s cultural heritage.

The National Strategy was designed by the Ministry of Culture, through the Directorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the National Hellenic Research Foundation, having carried out detailed climate-risk assessments examining threats such as wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, landslides, and coastal erosion. Its development and implementation were carried out in close cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, ensuring a holistic and coordinated approach to safeguarding cultural heritage against the impacts of climate change.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr, https://www.culture.gov.gr)

Key elements of the strategy include:

• Climate risk assessment across the country, considering exposure, vulnerability, and hazard levels
• Preventive infrastructure projects, including fire protection, flood control, and landslide mitigation at vulnerable archaeological sites
• Digital tools and platforms for evaluating risks and selecting tailored adaptation plans.
• Monitoring and evaluation systems aligned with international indicators set at COP30 (2025) in Belém, Brazil
• Training programs for Ministry of Culture staff on climate adaptation measures
• International collaboration with the UN, UNESCO, and EU initiatives to integrate cultural heritage into global climate action

 (Source: https://www.tovima.com/culture/greece-unveils-plan-to-protect-monuments-from-climate-change/ )

More specifically, the National Strategy seeks to promote international collaboration, which includes, among other initiatives:

• Establishing a framework for collaboration with 54 additional United Nations Member States (Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action) to integrate cultural heritage into the priorities of the UNFCCC (adaptation and mitigation)
• Maintaining systematic cooperation with UNESCO and other international organizations
• Participating in the European Union Working Group on enhancing the resilience of cultural heritage to the impacts of climate change
• Creating a dedicated program within the Forum of Ancient Civilizations and drafting a memorandum of cooperation with all member states, as well as establishing a network of contact points within the Forum to ensure coordination and coherence of activities in the field of cultural heritage protection from climate change
• Participating in national and international research initiatives

(Source: https://www.culture.gov.gr)

Firefighting systems at the archaeological site of Mystras. Within the framework of the project, infrastructure and risk management interventions were also implemented, such as the installation of fire protection systems in Philippi and Mystras, flood protection works in Dion and Malia, as well as measures to mitigate landslides and rockfalls in Delphi. These interventions clearly reflect the transition from scientific knowledge and strategic planning to the implementation of concrete protection policies

Minister Lina Mendoni stressed, among others, that “the Ministry of Culture, since 2019, has been implementing a comprehensive program for the identification and assessment of climate risks, as well as for prevention and resilience-building, in alignment with international standards and in harmony with the broader National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Our aim is for it to serve as a reference framework for all relevant state institutions in safeguarding monuments and archaeological sites, while promoting the integration of cultural heritage management with climate resiliency. The National Strategy follows a long-term plan with a horizon extending to 2050, including intermediate targets every five years. It provides for adaptation plans for 40 archaeological sites by 2030 and makes use of modern technologies and planning tools.

“The National Strategy is structured around 4 pillars of action: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Prevention, and Response. These pillars do not operate in isolation, but in an interconnected and functionally sequential manner. They constitute a unified risk management cycle: they begin with the scientific understanding of threats, move on to systematic monitoring, organize prevention, and culminate in targeted field interventions. This is a structure that allows the Strategy to be translated into practical public policy,” added L. Mendoni. “It is part of a broader, dynamically evolving international, European, and national institutional framework, which in recent years has been gradually shaping a new approach to environmental governance and climate policy”.

Readiness drill at Mystras

The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, stated that “the protection of monuments can no longer be limited to restoration after damage, but must be based on prevention, preparedness, and systematic planning.” He also referred, among others, to the cooperation developed in recent years between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, which was established with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation in 2021 and further strengthened in subsequent years through more targeted actions, particularly in addressing the risk of wildfires. He also referred to the establishment of a special Fire Protection Regulation for archaeological sites and monuments, being developed jointly by the two ministries. This regulation provides for specific preventive measures, such as the systematic management of vegetation, improved access for firefighting forces, the provision of safe evacuation routes for visitors and staff, and the strengthening of preparedness procedures in emergency situations.

At the Minoan Palace of Malia in northern Crete, an integrated drainage network and upgraded protective canopies help safeguard the archaeological site from rainfall and erosion

The National Strategy for the Protection of Cultural Heritage from the Impacts of Climate Change represents the first comprehensive national effort to assess climate risk and design adaptation measures for the protection of cultural heritage. The methodology developed is based on a multidimensional approach to climate risk assessment, with a pilot application in 19 archaeological sites across the country. It serves as a reference framework for all relevant institutional and administrative levels—the Ministry of Culture, particularly the Ephorates of Antiquities, the competent ministries, regional and local authorities, as well as academic and research institutions and local communities—strengthening the connection between cultural heritage management and climate resilience. At the same time, it constitutes a dynamic strategic planning tool that can be adapted to new scientific data, updated climate projections, and evolving needs for the protection and management of cultural heritage.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr, https://www.culture.gov.gr)

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The Academy of Athens held on February 9-10 the inaugural Symposium of its new organization, the International Community (Koinon) of Academies. The 'Koinon' includes members from 37 Academies around the world and was held at the historic neoclassical building of the Academy on Panepistimiou Street. This year also happens to be the centennial of the Academy, adding a special historical and symbolic character to the event. (Cover photo ©Theodoros Anagnostopoulos, Source: kathimerini.gr)

To be held every four years, the Symposium will serve a place for meeting and exchanging ideas on the major issues of the era, bridging scientific knowledge with culture and humanism. Its theme will cover a broad interdisciplinary spectrum in the fields of natural, theoretical, social, and human sciences, arts and letters, with an emphasis on contemporary global challenges, such as artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, the protection of cultural heritage, and the resilience of societies in the Anthropocene. "Internationally recognized scientists, academics, and intellectuals, members of leading Academies around the world will participate in the proceedings of the Symposium, thus confirming the international character and high scientific level of the event”. The event will culminate with a World Intellect Olympiad, with a view to highlighting Athens - and in particular the site of Plato's Academy - and the values of the School of Athens, as timeless points of reference for the international dialogue of knowledge, science and culture in a difficult era for humanity.

(Source: amna.gr)

The International Community (Koinon) of Academiesstands as a modern echo of Plato’s ancient Academy, where wisdom once walked beneath the shade of the olive trees. Rooted in the sacred soil of Plato’s Academy (Akademia Platonos), on land entrusted for the union of minds and cultures, the Koinon seeks to rekindle a timeless dialogue among the world’s great modern Academies.

The Koinon is a nonprofit association, following the will of Panagiotis Aristophron, a renowned architect and philanthropist, deeply inspired by Plato’s vision, who donated 50,000 square meters at the archaeological site of Plato’s Academy in Athens. Its mission is to foster international cooperation among Academies and collaboration with leading scientists, artists, and institutions. It will operate from its current offices at the Academy of Athens, with plans for a new bioclimatic facility near the New Museum of the City of Athens. Governed by a Board of Directors, the Koinon includes regular, honorary, and meritorious members. Accredited Academies participate through the Committee of Honorary Members, its plenary body. Christos Zerefos, is the President of the Board of Directors of the International Community (Koinon) of Academies.

The Koinon aims to promote the principles of Plato’s Academy through international symposia, scientific and cultural events, global awards, and joint activities with academic institutions worldwide. It is a gathering place for scholars, artists, and thinkers—honoring the pursuit of truth, the beauty of knowledge, and the harmony of global collaboration. The Koinon will serve as a lasting hub for elite events of human minds and souls in the Anthropocene.

The photorealistic rendering and the architectural study of the New Museum of the City of Athens were carried out by the architect Georgios Tsolakis at the area of Plato’s Academy in downtown Athens. In June 2022, the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Academy of Athens, and the Municipality of Athens signed a cooperation agreement to continue excavations at Akademia Platonos. The plan includes the construction of the New Museum of the City of Athens and establishing offices and conference facilities for the International Community (Koinon) of Academies on a 26,000 square meter plot owned by the Academy, as per Aristophron’s will. This initiative envisions an environmentally sustainable, bioclimatic complex that serves both as a museum and a hub for the Koinon’s global activities. (Photo: tsolakisarchitects.gr)

Inaugural Symposium of the International Community (Koinon) of Academies (Photo ©Theodoros Anagnostopoulos, Source: kathimerini.gr)

The theme of the Symposium spanned a broad range reflecting the concerns of our time. Artificial Intelligence, the climate crisis, the protection of cultural heritage, and societal resilience in the Anthropocene were central pillars of discussion, highlighting the initiative’s interdisciplinary character. The Distinguished academics, scientists, and intellectuals from Greece and abroad took part in the proceedings. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, former President of the Hellenic Republic, member of the Academy of Athens, and Honorary Professor at the University of Athens, delivered the keynote speech entitled “Myth and Truth in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”

The interventions ranged from analyses of innovation and the prospects of the European economy to the ethical dimension of sustainable development on a global scale. Discussions addressed geopolitical developments in the Black Sea, transitions toward sustainability, the use of Artificial Intelligence in archaeological research and across the sciences more broadly, as well as the relationship between technological progress and humanism.

Inaugural Symposium of the International Community (Koinon) of Academies (Photo ©Theodoros Anagnostopoulos, Source: kathimerini.gr)

In particular, within the thematic session “Artificial Intelligence, Human Health and Intelligence,” the presentations focused on the multiple dimensions of artificial intelligence—from its economic and collective implications to its contribution to computer science research, the limits of machine learning in relation to the functioning of the human brain, and the prospects of genomic medicine for the future of healthcare.

The climate crisis was also at the forefront. The President of the Board of Directors of the International Koinon of Academies, Mr. Christos Zerefos, outlined the efforts being undertaken to monitor the impact of the climate crisis on UNESCO World Heritage monuments in the Mediterranean. Issues of natural disasters and crisis management further enriched the agenda.

 (Source: ertnews.gr)

Read more about INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY (KOINON) OF ACADEMIES

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY (KOINON) OF ACADEMIES (in English):

February 9

February 10

February 10 - Eastern Hall

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The APSIM project (Applications of Situated Simulations) aims to promote the Greek culture using innovative technologies, assisting both the general public and the new generations to get familiar and love the archaeological wealth of Greece. Using an Augmented Reality (AR) application, visitors of archaeological sites and museums will have the opportunity to enjoy a completely different tour-experience in the archaeological sites, resembling one of a video gaming!

Through the Augmented Reality application CirculAR, cultural heritage sites are transformed into immersive, interactive experiences that connect the past with the present. By combining scientifically documented content with advanced 3D modeling, spatial mapping, and gamification techniques, CirculAR enables users to explore monuments in their original form directly within their physical environment. Using a smartphone or tablet, visitors can visualize reconstructions, navigate around monuments, and engage with historical narratives in a dynamic and intuitive way. The appliation is available free of charge for Android devices via the Google Play Store and for iOS via the App Store.

The creation of the CirculAR application was the result of multifaceted collaboration among scientists from different fields: archaeologists, historians, computer engineers, interface designers, educators, and specialists in cultural policy development. It was developed within the framework of the European APSIM project, coordinated by the I-SENSE research team of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTU), with the participation of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades, the Department of History and Archaeology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (University Excavation of Dion), the Epigraphic Museum of Athens, and the companies “GEOANALYSIS S.A.” and “Comic IKE.” The project is implemented under the “Research–Create–Innovate” action of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, co-funded by the European Union.

The island of Delos- sacred in antiquity serving for millennia as a cultural, economic, and religious center - comes to life once again with the help of the innovative Augmented Reality application CirculAR. Using a simple smartphone or tablet, users of the application can experience an augmented reality journey: they can bring the monuments of Delos to life, view them in three dimensions, rotate them, walk around them, and enjoy a completely new, immersive visiting experience. The Temple of Apollo, the Stoa and the House of the Naxians, the Propylaea, the Terrace of the Lions—all those monuments that today are discernible only through their architectural remains—are revived through augmented reality and the use of scientifically documented content.

By using the camera, sensors embedded in mobile phones, and spatial mapping and positioning algorithms, the application “reads” the landscape and digitally places monuments or traces of the past exactly where they once stood. “The user participates, learns, and forms an emotional connection with the monument, transforming historical memory into a personal experience. And this is precisely the goal—so that we can creatively reconnect with the past,” notes researcher Dr. Tina Katika, Head of the XR Department at I-SENSE. (Source: apsim-project.eu,  amna.gr)

APSIM’s Pilot Demonstrations in Delos Island

According to Dr. Angelos Amditis, project coordinator and Director of Research and Development at ICCS/NTUA, speaking to the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), “We are effectively bridging today’s imagination with life in the past. Through the application, you don’t simply see stones or foundations—you see stories, you see architecture, you see human activities. As a result, the application becomes a means of interpretation and understanding, as well as an educational tool grounded in scientific accuracy, essentially transforming the ordinary citizen from a passive observer into an active explorer. In this way, every visit becomes a process of discovery, navigation, knowledge gathering, interaction, and connection”. “The greatest value of the application is that it functions as a bridge across time, carrying the past into the present and the present into the future. In this way, it helps us preserve not only the material but also the intangible dimension of History—creating knowledge and experience, and forging a meaningful relationship between people and place.” (Source: amna.gr)

The application is not limited to Delos. Through the same technology, users can also explore other monuments across Greece. The aim is to incorporate additional monuments into the application in the future.

The Episcopal Basilica of Dion in Pieria.  The ancient Dion, in the region of Pieria, was a sacred site of the Macedonian kingdom. The Roman colony of Dion flourished during the imperial period, particularly in late antiquity. Dion became an episcopal see, which reinforced its importance as an urban centre for the wider region. Near the centre of the ancient city and at a short distance from the Forum, the so-called Episcopal Basilica was built in the 5^th century CE, with at least two successive building phases.

The Philo’s Arsenal (Skeuotheke of Philon), located in the port of Zea (Piraeus), is a significant building preserving the technological memory of ancient warships. In 347 BC, the Athenians decided to construct a building in Piraeus to store the equipment of the military fleet—such as sails, ropes, and tents—during the winter months. The rectangular building, 130 meters long and 18 meters wide, called the Skeuotheke, was designed by the architects Philo and Euthydomos. Ancient writers considered the building the most eminent among the structures of ancient Greek architecture. Its virtual reconstruction was based on a surviving marble inscription, now exhibited at the Epigraphic Museum of Athens, which has been preserved in its entirety.

I.A.

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