Funding for restoration projects of archaeological sites and cultural infrastructure in Thessaly is the subject of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the Hellenic Shipowners Association (EEEE), signed by the Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and the President. EEE Melina Travlou on Wednesday, June 26 at the Holy Church of St. Nikolaos Falanis in Larissa.
The memorandum refers to restoration projects of places of special archaeological, historical and religious significance and place names that are intertwined with the cultural identity of the region and its inhabitants, such as the archaeological site of Sesklu, the Holy Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Falani, the archaeological site of Athanasakeon. The Museum of Volos and the Holy Monastery of Panmegiston Taxiarchon Pelion with an estimated budget of €9,500,000.
The Hellenic Shipowners’ Association is supporting the Ministry of Interior in carrying out the necessary recovery plans in the Thessaly region after Daniel’s devastating advance, and at the same time responding to the call of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, gathered: more than €50,000,000 in donations from its members to the Greek Navy.
After signing the above memorandum, Mendoni made the following statement.Mrs. Travlou, I sincerely want to thank you on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Larissa, for being here today, first of all. And you are here today to kiss the restoration of four important monuments. We are here in St. Nikolaos Falanis and we welcome you all, together with the Deputy Minister, the Deputy of Larissa, His Holiness, the priests, the mayor, all the local authorities, Gerontisa from Taxiarches Monastery. a place that a few months ago, when we came here, it had nothing to do with what you see today (…).
It is not the first time that Greek sailors help the country, help the motherland. This starts with the Greek revolution (…). Greek shipowners have contributed to the recovery of Greece in its difficult times during all these years, two centuries and more. And what we all should not forget is that thanks to the Greek flag on the ships, the country has enormous power and enormous influence in the world. During the Prime Ministership of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, YPPO cooperates with Greek businessmen, Greek shipowners in an honest, transparent and honest relationship, and with their contribution we manage to implement projects much faster. Today, therefore, we feel great joy because with the cooperation of YPPO and EEE and their courageous patronage, Saint Nicholas, after all the patron of our sailors, can be restored in the shortest possible time, Your Excellency and I. I sincerely wish we were all here, healthy, for you to finish opening the door“.
Mrs. Travlu, in her turn, noted.Madam Minister, thank you for your kind words and excellent cooperation. The Greek Navy, as you know, has always placed culture at the center of its contribution to the homeland, both individually and collectively. For us, the protection of our cultural heritage is a national responsibility. By emphasizing the power of our culture from generation to generation, food not only protects our past, but above all our future, the future of the next generations of Greek men and women. In this context, I would like to announce here, in the Holy Church of St. Nikolaos Phalanis, that the action plan of the Greek Shipowners’ Union for the support of Thessaly will be named, in honor, “Agios Nikolaos”. The patron saint of our sailors, who is always by our side, in each of our ships, in the seas of the world. Saint Nicholas is the symbol of the Greek shipping faith, therefore the best symbol for projects that put into practice our belief in the common good, in our vision “Saving and society always together”.“.
Four projects
Each project that will be implemented within the framework of the cooperation will become the subject of a corresponding bilateral agreement, with conditions of mutual acceptance by the Ministry of Culture and the Hellenic Shipowners’ Union.
The projects refer to:
to: Archaeological site of Sesklu (PE Magnesia)
One of the most important Neolithic settlements in Europe (7000 BC) suffered significant damage from Daniel. Collapsed walls have been found, while strong water currents have created sinkholes that have threatened Neolithic houses over time. The infrastructure of the ancient site serving visitors was also damaged. It should be noted that the fire of August 2023 “passed” through the same ancient site.
to: Church of St. Nicholas of Falani (PE Larissa).
The Church of Saint Nicholas in Falani is a newer monument, particularly popular with the local community, dating from the 19th century. The icon of the church from 1862 is extremely interesting. Due to Daniel, the southern wall of the building collapsed and part of the roof collapsed. The monument is very dear to the local community.
in Athanasakeon Archaeological Museum of Volos (PE Magnesia).
The museum building has had water inflow problems since 1902, with the connection of the old building, and the new one since 2004, which were restored. However, problems persist as the construction site sheds remain in the museum yard, where maintenance workshops and warehouses are temporarily maintained. At the same time, it is imperative to replace the large pines in the yard of the museum with other types of fire-resistant trees. To effectively solve these problems, it is necessary to create spaces for the auxiliary functions of the museum and shape its surroundings.
and to Holy Monastery of Taxiarchon Pelion (PE Magnesia).
A post-Byzantine monastery with a special interest in its old Catholic church and corresponding wings. In the spring of 2023, the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments Restoration Department of the Ministry of Culture completed the strengthening and reconstruction of its dome in Katholyko. Despite Daniel’s extremes, the Catholic held, but not the old wings.