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)

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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.

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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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An article by Panagiotis Roilos, President of the European Cultural Center of Delphi

Today, in one of the most dynamic transitional phases of the Anthropocene era, Delphi must assume a leading role in global culture and the philosophical and culturally mediated exploration of the major issues of our time. This role has been assumed by the European Cultural Center of Delphi (ECCD) ever since its foundation in 1977, but much more intensely and systematically in the last three years. To a great extent, ECCD constitutes the continuation not only of the vision of the Delphic festivals, which were established by Angelos Sikelianos in 1927, but also of the most dynamic and progressive aspects of his Delphic ideal as a whole—an ideal that the Center has expanded and adapted to the needs and priorities of our times. I am convinced that by prioritizing the exploration, from different perspectives and through diverse cultural initiatives, of the rapid developments that humanity is experiencing today in the areas of culture, thought, politics, and science, the Delphi Center will be able to become, in fact, it has already become, a dynamic hub of contemporary world culture and philosophical thought.

As soon as I assumed the presidency of the European Cultural Center of Delphi in August 2022, succeeding Hélène Arhweiler, I set as my priority to strengthen and further develop the role of the Center as a truly international epicenter, hub for the circulation and the production of culture (and in “culture” I include also philosophical thought)—culture understood as a means of bringing different traditions together and not as an instrument of any form of hegemony, as a major resource for the promotion of individual and collective self-knowledge, in accordance also with the ancient Delphic principles/maxims and the vision of Angelos Sikelianos.

In addition to the Delphi Academy, which has established itself as an academic institution of considerable global visibility and is fully funded by the Region of Central Greece thanks to the generosity and unstinting support of the Governor Fanis Spanos, four major initiatives have been developed and will be further advanced in the coming years with a view to expanding the Center’s international caliber and impact. First, the creation of the International cultural network/Forum of Delphi. This concerns cultural exchanges between various countries and the advancement of issues of cultural politics and intercultural collaboration and dialogue, especially in light of ongoing social and (geo)political developments all over the world. In this context, a cooperation agreement has already been signed between the Center and a major research center in Slovenia, which involves also the establishment of a research scholarship for the study of Mediterranean history, politics, and culture, in memory of Ioannis Kapodistrias (The Ioannis Kapodistrias Fellowship).

Second, the institution of theDelphi Dialogues. Every year, internationally acclaimed thinkers and scholars of significant impact explore a number of issues related to AI, the era of the post-human and democracy, biopolitics, bioethics, the ecological crisis, the refugee crisis, etc. The first three Delphi Dialogues have been watched online by over one million people from all over the world—an unprecedented success, not only for Greece! The Delphi Dialogues are fully supported by Eurolife. This donation has also ensured the organization of additional cultural events at the Center, including the major Picasso exhibition two years ago. Third, the creation of an artist/author residency.

I would also like to announce the establishment of a new international institution, the Delphic Oracle Project: The Future of Humanity, which will be officially launched in 2027, the year that will mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the ECCD and the 100th anniversary of the first Delphic festivals. Scientists from different fields (e.g. AI, astrophysics, biotechnology, medicine, etc.), but also scholars in the social sciences and the humanities will meet in Delphi to announce and analyze discoveries and developments in their respective fields and how these will affect humanity, the human species and its societies, and the planet Earth as a whole. I have already begun to put together an international committee of pioneers, internationally renowned and influential scientists in these fields, who will coordinate the work of the Delphic Oracle Project: The Future of Humanity.  The Fourth Delphic Dialogues, which will take place on July 3-5, 2026, will function as a forerunner of this new international institution. At the same time, Ι have initiated the establishment of another ambitious project/network of international scope. This is the Delphi League (Delphi Amphictyony): The International Society of the Friends of the European Cultural Center of Delphi, which will be chaired by Ambassador Anastasios Kriekoukis. Finally, a major international conference (“Ioannis Kapodistrias: A European Politician”) will take place in early December 2026 to celebrate the end of 2026, the year that marks the 250th anniversary of Kapodistrias’ birth.

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Panagiotis Roilos is the George Seferis Professor of Modern Greek Studies and Professor of comparative literature at Harvard University, where he is also a member of the Standing Committee on Medieval Studies and the Steering Committee on Byzantine Studies as well as faculty associate of the Minda de Ginzburg Center for European Studies, and of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (WCFIA). At WCFIA he has established the research Seminar Series on Cultural Politics. He is the President of the European Cultural Center of Delphi. He is also the founder and director of the Delphi Academy of European Studies and of the international cultural forum The Delphi Dialogues. He is the (co)author and (co)editor of twelve books, including  Towards a Ritual Poetics (co-author; 2003); Amphoteroglossia: A Poetics of the Twelfth-Century Medieval Greek Novel (2005); C. P. Cavafy: The Economics of Metonymy (2009); Imagination and Logos: Essays on C. P. Cavafy (editor; 2010);  Lamenting Greece: The Early German Philhellenism (15^th-17^th centuries) (2026); Neomedieval Metacapitalism (forthcoming).

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The painting exhibition “Alexander the Great – Back to Egypt” was inaugurated in Alexandria on 13 December 2025, constituting a cultural event of high symbolic significance dedicated to the timeless figure of Alexander the Great, founder of Alexandria and a universal emblem of intercultural dialogue. The exhibition presents 53 works by the internationally acclaimed Greek artist and architect Makis Warlamis (1942–2016), including large-scale paintings, sculptures, and complex visual compositions. Through a contemporary artistic approach, the works highlight Alexander the Great not merely as a historical figure, but as a universal symbol of knowledge, creativity, and the synthesis of civilizations.

The exhibition is hosted at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina under the auspices of the Embassy of Greece in Cairo, the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the Association of Greek Regions (ENPE). It is organized in cooperation between the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Experimental Workshop of Vergina, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), the Hellenic Research Institute of Alexandrian Civilization, and the Waldviertel Art Museum, Austria.

At the opening ceremony, Dr Ahmed A. Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, referred to the historic role of the ancient Library of Alexandria. He emphasized that the modern Library constitutes the intellectual and cultural continuation of its ancient predecessor, carrying forward its mission as a global centre of knowledge. Special reference was made to the hosting of the Αlexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies which, inspired by the spirit of the Hellenistic era, offers a postgraduate programme in cooperation with Alexandria University.

The Ambassador of Greece to Cairo, Mr Nikolaos Papageorgiou, expressed his deep emotion at the realization of the exhibition, describing it as the “return” of Alexander the Great to the city he founded and cherished. He recalled that works by Warlamis had been presented in Cairo during the 1990s; however, their exhibition in Alexandria carries particular significance, as no other city is so closely linked to Hellenism. He further emphasized that Greek–Egyptian relations are currently at their highest level, serving as a model of cooperation and mutual respect in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Mr Pavlos Trochopoulos, Director of the Experimental Workshop of Vergina, described the exhibition as a cultural and human encounter between Greece and Egypt, highlighting the participation of a large Greek delegation that travelled specifically for the event. He referred to the profound human dimension of Makis Warlamis’ work, stressing that his art brings to the fore values such as kindness, love, and selfless offering to one’s fellow human being. He underlined that, through Warlamis’ perspective, Alexander is not merely a historical figure but an idea embodying tolerance, respect for diversity, and the unity of humanity, inviting each visitor to discover their own “Alexander”.

The Governor of Alexandria, Mr Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, highlighted that the city honours through the exhibition a historic figure who left an indelible mark on world history and on the very character of Alexandria itself. He emphasized that the 53 works of Makis Warlamis convey a clear message of peace, coexistence, and mutual understanding, values intrinsically linked to the city’s identity. He also recalled that the founding of Alexandria in 331 B.C. was no accident, but the result of Alexander’s vision, creating a city that served as a bridge between East and West and as a global capital of knowledge and culture.

Τhere followed a roundtable discussion titled “Alexander between the Legend and the City”, coordinated by Professor Mona Haggag, President of the Archaeological Society of Alexandria. She illustrated how Alexander’s achievements transformed him from a historical figure into an almost mythical symbol, with Alexandria ideally embodying this convergence of history and legend. Professor Mohamed Abd El Ghani, Professor of Greek and Roman History, referred to the relationship between Alexander the Great and Egypt, analysing the political and religious circumstances that enabled his peaceful entry into the country in 332 B.C. Ms Kalliopi Papakosta, Director of the Hellenic Research Institute of Alexandrian Civilization, emphasized that Alexander was a transformative force in human history and that Alexandria represents the purest expression of the Hellenistic spirit. Finally, Ms Sofia Avgerinou-Kolonia, Emeritus Professor of the National Technical University of Athens, spoke about the uniqueness of Alexandria as a city of knowledge, science, and culture. She emphasized that although Alexander did not live to see the city completed, his vision indelibly shaped its trajectory through the centuries.

© Selected photos: Experimental Workshop of Vergina https://warlamis.gr/

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The strategic principles and key priorities of the Greek government’s cultural policy were presented by Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, speaking at the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University. The fundamental principles of preserving, protecting, and promoting Greece’s heritage, as well as its contemporary artistic creation, along with recognising and highlighting culture as a national developmental asset and a cornerstone of the country’s intellectual, economic, and social revitalisation, progress, and prosperity, were thoroughly outlined by Mendoni in her address to a large audience attending her lecture. (Cover photo: Hellenic Heritage: the official Gateway to museums and cultural sites, offering guides, tickets, stories, curated experiences, and more)

Lina Mendoni noted that “our heritage must be protected, but not frozen in time. Museums, monuments, and archaeological sites are living parts of society, connected to communities, attracting visitors, and generating cultural, educational, and economic activity. When integrated into everyday life, heritage thrives, creating stronger incentives for its protection and greater social impact.” Regarding cultural heritage and contemporary creation, a key parameter, she added, is that they contribute to economic development, generate income and jobs, attract investment, and strengthen tourism, with which they are closely linked.“ Monuments and museums are not spaces of consumption. They are landmarks embedded in collective memory and identity. They unite generations, foster pride and social cohesion, and project the image of a place beyond national borders,” she emphasised.

(Source: Ministry of Culture, Athens-Macedonian News Agency)

The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni in her speech at the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University (Source: Ministry of Culture). Greece’s cultural policy includes main initiatives such as the Cultural Charter for all regions, major restoration and digital transformation projects, expanded cultural tourism, new digital platforms, and strengthened efforts against illegal antiquities trafficking and for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures.

“Cultural Charter of Development and Prosperity” for the 13 Regions of Greece: Vision for Growth and Prosperity

Since 2019, the Greek government has pursued a major shift in cultural management so that Culture serves both its social and developmental role. “The past six years,” the Minister of Culture noted, “we have worked systematically toward implementing a new, flexible, and dynamic model, redefining both the goals and the methods. This approach is grounded in scientific knowledge, data analysis, coherent planning, and realistic programming. It aims for multiplier effects and economies of scale, strengthening innovation, improving effectiveness, and ensuring the efficient use of funding and resources”.

Hellenic Heritage is the new official platform of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and ODAP (Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development) – a contemporary hub that brings the essence of Greek culture. Available from September 5, 2025, hh.gr serves as the official guide to more than 350 archaeological sites, monuments and museums. Designed from the visitor’s perspective, it offers essential information, integrates all Hellenic Heritage services—Tickets, Experiences and Shop—and supports future digital innovations. With a strong focus on accessibility and inclusivity, hh.gr uses advanced storytelling tools to bring history to life. This launch marks a major milestone in ODAP’s digital strategy, blending tradition with modern technology.

A key initiative is the “Cultural Charter of Development and Prosperity”, designed for all 13 Regions of Greece with a planning horizon to 2030. The Charter serves as an active roadmap tailored to each region and includes major infrastructure projects, cultural funding schemes, and institutional reforms. It places equal emphasis on safeguarding Greece’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage—from ancient monuments and historic sites to modern art and living traditions—and on supporting the cultural expressions that shape Greece’s identity today.

The Charter seeks to transform culture into a strategic asset for recovery, sustainable development and social cohesion—not only in major cities but across every region of the country. It reflects a broader global and European shift toward viewing culture and creativity as engines of innovation, economic vitality and community resilience. By combining infrastructure, regulatory modernization, digital innovation, and active support for contemporary creation, the Charter builds a strong, future-oriented cultural ecosystem that delivers long-term value for Greece and its citizens.

 “The strengthening of cultural tourism is a key objective of the Ministry of Culture and Sports for the Region of Thessaly, as the area is an emerging tourist destination,” emphasized the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, during the presentation of the Thessaly Development Program, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in Larissa, in February, 2023 (Photo above: From the Prime Minister’s visit to the Ancient Theater of Larissa). The Ministry of Culture, in close collaboration with the Region of Thessaly, is implementing a coherent plan of projects worth 100 million euros, using EU funds and national resourcesand focusing on the protection and restoration of monuments and archaeological sites, as well as the creation of modern museum and cultural infrastructure. Key cultural initiatives include strategic plans to integrate major archaeological sites, such as ancient Demetrias and Byzantine Anchialos, into urban areas. The Ministry created visitable underwater sites in Alonnisos and Western Pagasetic Gulf, including the renowned Peristera shipwreck, recently listed among National Geographic’s top 50 diving destinations. Projects also include: the Diachronic Museum in Trikala; the Integrated Management Plan for Meteora, balancing tourism and monastic life; the restoration of theaters in Phthiotic Thebes, Larissa, and Demetrias; cultural routes through Pelion and Skiathos; and improved access to Theopetra Cave and the Neolithic settlement at Dimini, strengthening Thessaly’s cultural tourism (Source: Ministry of Culture)

A core element of the Charter is its recognition of culture as a lever for regional development, cultural tourism, and job creation. By embedding culture into local and regional economies, the plan aims to strengthen cultural and creative industries, boost visitor flows, generate employment across related sectors, and address long-standing regional inequalities. It also places strong focus on inclusion and equal access, ensuring that cultural infrastructure, services, and experiences are accessible to people with disabilities and responsive to the needs of both urban and rural communities.

Using EU funds (NSRF, RRF) and national resources, the Ministry is carrying out the largest cultural investment program in Greece’s history: over 850 projects with a total budget exceeding €1.3 billion. Completed and ongoing works include the restoration of monuments, conservation of heritage, museum upgrades - since 2019, 28 new or fully restored museums have already opened to the public, with another 28 planned for completion by 2028 - and construction of new cultural infrastructures. These projects support local economies, strengthen social cohesion, promote balanced regional development, and provide thousands of jobs.

In September, 2025, the Ministry of Culture delivered fully restored Christian monuments in the town of Veria: the historic Churches of Saint Anna (upper photos, Guided tour of Minister, LIna Mendoni) and Christ Pantocrator (lower photo). In Imathia (Region of Central Macedonia), from 2019 to today, the Ministry of Culture has completed and is implementing cultural projects amounting to more than 25 million euros, within the framework of its integrated planning. Among other initiatives, these include the Polycentric Museum of Aigai, the restored Palace of Philip II at Aigai, the Virtual Museum ‘Alexander the Great: From Aigai to the Oikoumene,’ the outdoor permanent exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Veria, the exhibition of the Treasury Hall at the Holy Monastery of Dovra, the conservation and showcasing of the Byzantine Acropolis of Veria, and the conservation and restoration of Christian and Ottoman monuments, also in Veria (Source: Ministry of Culture)

The Virtual Museum “Alexander the Great: From Aigai to the Oikoumene”

Digital innovation in the service of Culture

Digital transformation is another cornerstone of the Charter, modernizing how cultural resources are managed, documented, and presented to the public. Lina Mendoni highlighted the Ministry of Culture’s investment in digital technologies and tools to enhance the management of Greece’s cultural heritage. The Ministry has implemented large-scale projects through the “National Archive of Monuments”, using virtual and augmented reality, collaborations with tech companies like Microsoft and Google, and a strategy to integrate Artificial Intelligence. Key goals include accelerating digitization, improving conservation, preventing illicit trafficking, providing personalized cultural experiences, supporting research with big data, and ensuring ethical standards for transparency and data protection.

The Portal of Digital Collections of Movable Monuments of the Ministry of Culture(National Archive of Monuments) includes objects – movable monuments that primarily originate from the collections of the Museums of the Ministry of Culture and the broader Public Sector. The portal is being gradually updated and provides access to approximately 680,000 registered entries through the Integrated Information System (IIS) of the Ministry of Culture.

The Archaeological Cadastre, also available online, records and documents Greece's immovable monuments, archaeological sites, historical sites, and their protection zones. Today, the Archaeological Cadastre Portal contains descriptive (archaeological, and administrative) and geospatial data for more than 21,500 monuments, approximately 3,400 archaeological sites and historical sites, 844 protection zones and 220 museums.

A huge nationwide digital transformation —more than 27.3 million euros investment — has modernised 107 museums and archaeological sites aiming to more inclusive access, better management, enriched visitor experience, and bridging heritage with digital modernity. This includes unified ticketing & access-control, a “Hellenic Heritage Web App”, digital signage, QR codes, interactive tours in multiple languages (including Greek Sign Language), and AR/VR experiences at flagship sites (e.g. Sounion, Delos, Ancient Agora of Athens, Ancient Olympia, Rotunda of Thessaloniki).

The past comes alive before your eyes!  We tried the innovative #AugmentedReality (AR) application on hh.gr — and the result? Absolutely enchanting! At the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, AR technology transported us back in time, recreating the site in its original grandeur. An immersive experience that blends history, technology and emotion. (Source: ODAP,  Hellenic Heritage, the official Gateway to museums and cultural sites)

A special mention was also made of the Ministry of Culture’s program for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the former royal estate at Tatoi. Beyond the built environment, the extensive landscaping will transform the site into accessible green spaces for recreation and outdoor activities, promoting sustainable tourism and social engagement. The project preserves the estate’s historical significance while creating a modern destination that integrates culture, nature, and leisure.

The Tatoi Collections  of the former Royal Estate, was recently registered online. It is the largest collection of its kind in Greece, dedicated to fine and applied arts and to Greek history, comprised of more than 70.000 objects that were recorded and documented by the Ministry of Culture at the former royal estate of Tatoi.

Cultural routes

In 2025, Greece launched a major national initiative to create a network of thematic cultural-heritage routes across the country, supported by approximately €50 million in EU Recovery and Resilience funding. This ambitious plan aims to highlight the depth and diversity of Greek history by organizing cultural destinations into coherent, story-driven itineraries that connect different regions and historical periods. The overarching goal of the project is to create meaningful connections between archaeological sites, monuments and local communities, turning them into unified cultural experiences. These cultural-heritage routes aim to offer visitors deeper, more immersive journeys through Greece’s layered past, while generating long-term benefits for the regions they traverse.

 “Monumental Works of Cyclopes and Men”

Five thematic routes have already been defined, each representing a distinct era and cultural narrative—from the Mycenaean world to Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. These include themes such as “Monumental Works of Cyclopes and Men”, showcasing Mycenaean engineering and civilization; “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul”, following sites linked to early Christianity; the “Cultural Egnatia Road”, tracing the ancient artery that shaped trade and connectivity across the Balkans; and the “Castle Network: From Byzantium to Ottoman Rule”, highlighting fortifications that tell the story of shifting empires and cultural influences. (Source: Ministry of Culture)

 “In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul”

The protection of Greek cultural heritage from illegal trafficking

Mendoni, speaking at Harvard University, also stressed the ministry’s strategic objective: the protection of Greek cultural heritage from illegal trafficking, which is not merely a form of criminal activity but a complex phenomenon linked to organised crime, resulting in the loss, fragmentation, and often irreversible destruction of the historical and cultural memory of nations. The ministry’s strategy focuses on prevention, international cooperation, and the systematic repatriation of antiquities from foreign museums and private collections.

Gallery of the Acropolis Museum in Athens © Acropolis Museum

“This commitment applies even more strongly to Greece’s long-standing request for the return and reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, which have been kept at the British Museum for more than 200 years. The Greek request for the Sculptures began even before the modern Greek state was officially founded. Over the last six years, however, the landscape has changed significantly. Globally, governments, museums, and civil society increasingly recognise the need to correct historical injustices in the handling of cultural heritage. Our pressure on the UK government and the British Museum’s administration is steadily increasing,” she stressed.

(Source: Ministry of Culture, Athens-Macedonian News Agency)

I.A.

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The Portal of Digital Collections of Mobile Monuments of the Ministry of Culture (National Archive of Monuments) includes objects – movable monuments that primarily originate from the collections of the Ephorates of Antiquities and the Museums of the Ministry of Culture and the broader Public Sector. The portal is being gradually updated and provides access to approximately 710,000 registered entries through the Integrated Information System (IIS) of the Ministry of Culture. (Cover photo: Attic red-figure Kerch lekanis with scene of a wedding preparation, Marsyas painter, 350 B.C, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki)

The objects included are both ancient and more recent monuments. The vast majority of the entries concern finds from excavations and archaeological research conducted and continuously carried out by the Archaeological Service from the 19^th century to the present day. A second group of objects consists of portable icons, liturgical vessels, and manuscripts. A third, smaller group includes testimonies mainly of modern Greek culture and comes from various collections. Overall, the monuments registered in the National Monument Archive reflect the richness, diversity, and typological and chronological range of the cultural heritage of the Greek territory.

Online visitors can learn about the place where the objects were made, the materials used, as well as the uses or functions these objects served. They can read about the stories the objects have to tell and others that have already been created to inspire. Visitors can also create their own narratives by combining new knowledge with their personal experiences.

The Archaeological Cadastre, also available online, records and documents Greece's immovable monuments, archaeological sites, historical sites, and their protection zones. Today, the Archaeological Cadastre Portal contains descriptive (archaeological, and administrative) and geospatial data for more than 21,500 monuments, approximately 3,400 archaeological sites and historical sites, 844 protection zones and 220 museums.

The Tatoi Collections  of the former Royal Estate was recently registered online. It is the largest collection of its kind in Greece, dedicated to fine and applied arts and to Greek history, comprised of more than 70.000 objects that were recorded and documented by the Ministry of Culture. Focusing on European art and design of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the Tatoi Collections span both time and geography—from the European continent to the Far East, and from ancient Greece to everyday objects of the 1960s. All of the above are complemented and interpreted through the preserved evidence—documents and photographs—in the Tatoi Archive, thus unlocking the study of previously unknown aspects of more than a century of Greek and European history.

The Portal of Digital Collections of Mobile Monuments also offers interesting featured online exhibitions. Three of them are presented here as follows: Recycling, a Good Old Habit; Our Oldest Friend (The Dog); and Braids, Hats, and Wigs.

Recycling, a good old habit

The concept of sustainability is not a product of our modern era, where environmental management is emerging as an urgent priority through recycling or the use of recycled materials. Reusing materials and architectural members is a timeless phenomenon that is observed both in antiquity and in modern times. The main reason was saving resources. Durable materials with a distinctively high cost, difficult to mine and transport, were reused most frequently. More specific cases, however, such as the reuse of columns, sculptures, and architectural members, beyond the purely practical purposes they served, also implied the preservation of an aesthetic continuity, while for religious buildings and sanctuaries this meant the “sanctification” of materials and, by extension, of places.

Double questioning: Lead oracle tablet from Dodona with the question of the faithful and the response of the oracle on each side respectively. On the first side there are other older questions / inscriptions that have been erased, Dodona, 4^th century BC, Ephorate of Antiquities of Ioannina

Supporting the house of God: The stele bears an inscription of Nero’s proclamation of the freedom of the Greeks of Achaia and was a votive offering to the sanctuary of Apollo on Mount Ptoon by a prominent citizen of Acraephia. In modern times it was used as construction material in the church of St George in Akraifnio, Boeotia, 1^st century BC, Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia (Left) – Amazons and Saints: Base of a statue, probably of a Roman emperor, with an embossed representation of Amazonomachy. It was later used as a pulpit base in the Basilica of Alkison in Nikopolis. For this purpose, part of the representation was scraped off and a mosaic representation was attached over it, from which the figures of two saints are preserved, 1^st century BC, Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza (Right)

One grave, more tenants: Inscribed marble sarcophagus. This inscription is apotropaic in nature and bears witness to its reuse in the mid-4^th century AD, 2^nd-3^rd century BC, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Collecting water: Marble inscribed sarcophagus, whose two small circular holes bear witness to it having been reused as a water tank. It is unknown when this conversion took place. It was found in Sintrivani Square in Thessaloniki, 2^nd century AD, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

A votive altar that was reused - upside down - as a funereal tomb marking, on which an inscription was engraved with the name and the father's name of the deceased, which it bids farewell. It was found at the archaeological site of Atrax, in the regional unit of Larissa, 1^st century BC Antiquities Ephorate of Larissa

Our oldest friend

It’s certain that our relationship with dogs is the oldest companionship and cohabitation relationship between us and the representatives of the rest of the animal kingdom, constituting an important milestone both in the history of humanity and in zoology. The human history of dogs is reflected in our intangible and tangible heritage, highlighting a relationship of companionship and faithfulness, care and love, as well as power, and, sometimes, exploitation.

Fragment of a mural fresco at from the Mycenaean Palace of Orchomenos, Boeotia, depicting a dog behind a chariot in a hunting scene, 1350-1250 BC, Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia (upper left), Section of a floor mosaic depicting an amphora with a hunting scene on either side, from a roman mansion, 324 A.D - 700 A.D, Ephorate of Antiquities of Phthiotis and Evrytania (upper right), Dog figurines, Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia (lower left), Part of a bronze furniture-attachment in the form of a dog, 500 B.C - 301 B.C, Ephorate of Antiquities of Phocis (lower right)

Marble funereal stele with relief depiction of a funeral feast. On the bed , the deceased is depicted holding what is probably a bottle. In front of him there is a three-legged table with food and fruits, and beside him a dog looks at (most probably) its master, 170 A.D - 230 A.D, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (left), Votive stele depicting Artemis-Bendis in a hunting scene in which a dog attacks a deer, 100 A.D - 299 A.D, Ephorate of Antiquities of Kavala (right)

Braids, hats and wigs

The garments, footwear, hairdos, and other elements that complement our external appearance reveal the fashion of the time, but they also reveal something deeper. They declare and express the gender, age, social status, and even the mental or emotional state of the person wearing them. Going further in depth, often they function symbolically for temporary or permanent situations and transmit a clear and concise message. Hair and anything adorning one’s head had to be part of this interpretation. Long hair that came down to the chest or shorter hair that came down to the neck, let down or tied in simple or elaborate buns, wavy or straight, with plenty of long or shorter curls, looser or tighter like small shells, adorn the heads of women and men. They often look like or are wigs, while on top all kinds of hats complete the ornamentation of one’s head and send the appropriate message regarding the identity, temporary or permanent, of the wearer.

A plank-shaped figurine with a distinctive bird-shaped head. It wears a tall hat (polos crown), while two long tendrils fall to the right and left in front of the chest, rendering the archaic hairstyle in horizontal lines, 550 B.C - 501 B.C, Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia (left), Part of a female figurine with rich long curly middle-parted hair that cascades behind its shoulders, 500 B.C - 401 B.C, Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia (middle), Terracotta female figurine, probably Aphrodite, resting her right foot on a rock, while holding a mirror in her right hand. Her hair is held in a high bun while it is combed into thick bundles, 300 B.C - 251 B.C, Ephorate of Antiquities of Boeotia (right)

Terracotta figurine head wearing a low polos crown above the forehead, while the hair is rendered as three horizontal wavy curls that reach the base of the neck, 700 B.C - 480 B.C, Ephorate of Antiquities of Lasithi, Crete (left), Terracotta female figurine, doll. Its hair, rich and wavy, is gathered high and tied in an impressive leaf-shaped piece of jewellery that looks like a large bow fastened with two large pins at the top of the head, 100 B.C - 1 B.C, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (left)

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I.A.

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