By George Koulouvaris

 

The reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is a major national goal, said the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni.

 

“At the Ministry of Culture, we are working, systematically and methodically, so that 2024 is for the world of Culture a year of high goals, creation and hope. The reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, in the Acropolis Museum, in Athens, which is rightfully demanded by the monument itself - the symbol of Western civilization - is, for the government and for all Greeks, a major national goal, while at the same time it is a necessary act of universal justice.

 

At the Ministry of Culture, we are currently implementing the largest program of cultural infrastructure projects - more than 820 projects and actions - with a budget of over 1.2 billion euros. The cultural landscape in our country is changing. The new National Archaeological Museum, as we plan it, will not only be a precious ark of Greek culture, but will become the catalyst for the regeneration of this area, the historical center, of Athens, but also for the further cultural, economic and development of the capital.

 

Also, the great project of protection, promotion, regeneration and operation of the former royal estate, in Tatoi, offers a valuable metropolitan park of culture, entertainment and well-being to all citizens and at the same time an extremely important tool for the development of Attica.

 

The implementation of the Cultural Development and Prosperity Map projects, which we designed separately for each of the 13 Regions of Greece, strengthens the cultural character of every corner of our country, utilizing and promoting its unique cultural stock, material and intangible. Universal accessibility to Culture and all its infrastructures is our priority. Equal access and inclusion are at the core of Democracy.

 

But Culture is not only our past. It is the present and the future of our country. It is her modern identity. We systematically promote the maximization of artistic education, responding to the constant demand of the artistic world. We are moving forward with the establishment of the Book body and implementing the single Audiovisual, Film and Intellectual Property Agency. The Archaeological Service is being restructured, so that it can better respond to the protection and promotion of our cultural stock and also serve the citizens more efficiently. The digital transformation of cultural structures and the use of the most advanced technology is our primary goal.

 

We are working to highlight the cultural and creative sector as an integrated, sustainable development tool. The creators, the artists, the professionals in the arts and culture as well as the employees of the Ministry of Culture are at the center, as they contribute decisively to the formation of the new modern production model of our country, which is planned and implemented by the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.