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Louvre Collects Millions To Restore Masterpiece
The Paris Louvre, one of the world's largest museums, will be able to fund restoration work on the Winged Victory of Samothrace, one of its masterpieces, after collecting one million euros in individual donations. The work will also include repairs to the large staircase that leads up to the 2nd-century BC marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike, the museum told AFP on Monday.
It said about 6,700 individual donors had contributed over the last four months, with the rest of the projected total cost of four million euros ($5.5 million) coming from sponsors. The Winged Victory is currently undergoing restoration work in a nearby hall and is expected to return to its established site at the museum in mid-2014. Work on the monumental staircase should be finished by March next year. The statue was discovered on the Greek island of Samothrace in 1863 and then taken to Paris for exhibition at the Louvre where it overlooks the so-called Daru staircase.
Oct 28th is Ochi Day
On October 28th, expect to encounter parades and other celebrations commemorating Ochi Day, the anniversary of General Ioannis Metaxas' flat denial to the Italians' request for free passage to invade Greece. In October, 1940, Italy, backed by Hitler, wanted to occupy Greece; Metaxas simply responded "Ochi!" - "No!" in Greek. It was a "No!" that brought Greece into the war on the Allied side; for a time, Greece was Britain's only ally against Hitler.
Greece not only did not give Mussolini's forces free passage, they seized the offensive and drove them back through most of Albania.
Some historians credit the Greeks' fierce resistance to the later German paratrooper landings during the Battle of Crete with convincing Hitler that such attacks cost too many German lives. The from-the-air invasion of Crete was the last attempt by the Nazis to use this technique, and the extra resources required to subdue Greece drained and distracted the Third Reich from its efforts on other fronts.
Had Metaxas not said "No!", World War II might well have lasted considerably longer. One theory suggests that had Greece agreed to surrender without resistance, Hitler would have been able to invade Russia in spring, rather than making his disastrous attempt to take it in winter. Western nations, always happy to credit ancient Greece with the development of democracy, may owe modern Greece an equal but usually unrecognized debt for helping to preserve democracy against its enemies during World War II.
Was Metaxa really that succinct? Probably not - but that's the way the story has been passed down. He also probably responded in French.
On Ochi Day, all major cities offer a military parade, and many Greek Orthodox churches will be holding special services. Coastal towns may have naval parades or other celebrations on the waterfront.
By deTraci Regula
One Of Our Favourite Athens Neighbourhoods Ranks #5 In The World
Kali xronia!
Until next week,
Jack
Mani Mani
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A Festival Of Light Comes To Life At SNFCC
How To Become A Trireme Rower For A Day
For the fourth consecutive year, the Hellenic Navy is planning a rowing trip that will allow people to discover what it was like to be a rower on this famous ship and sail in the waters of the Saronic Gulf on a 2-hour journey through time.
The navy will also be hosting a series of interactive tours of the trireme, where people of all ages can visit the vessel and learn all about its history. Furthermore, visitors will be able to sit in a rower's seat and row in a static mode.
Reservations for both activities can be made by phone on 6940471218 until Friday, July 19 (except Monday, June 17) and from Monday, September 2 to Wednesday, September 11 from 09:00 to 13:00. Rowers will additionally need to register online. Tickets cost 3 euros, with no discounts.
Summer 2019 Activities Schedule
The rowing trips will take place from 10:00 to 12:00 on the following Sundays: June 23, June 30, July 14, July 21, and September 8.
The interactive tours will take place from 17:00-19:00 on the following Wednesdays: June 19, June 26, July 3, July 17, September 4, and September 11.
For further information, please visit: Averof Floating Naval Museum
Stefanos Tsitsipas Makes History!
Tsitsipas has earned $2,656,000 in prize money and 1,300 ATP Rankings points in five matches this week and is the first tennis player since David Nalbandian in 2005 to recover from losing the first set and claim the title.
To read this article in full, please visit: ATP
Image Credit: @Stefanos Tsitsipas
New Tourism Campaign Urges Travelers To Stay Safe And Plan Ahead
To read this article in full, please visit: GreekReporter.com
The Epigraphical Museum: A Cultural Gem In The Center Of Athens
Did you know that the largest Epigraphic Museum in the world is located in Athens? The Epigraphic Museum hosts in its permanent collection 14,078 inscriptions, which cover the period from early historical times to the Late Roman era. Even though the Museum is housed on the ground floor at the south wing of the National Archaeological Museum, it has a separate entrance from Tositsa street.
The Museum's purpose is scientific research, study, registration, protection, preservation, publication, photographic documentation, and promotion of the ancient Greek inscriptions. The Museum also aims to create a specialized epigraphic library while the inscriptions have already bee digitally cataloged. It hosts temporary exhibitions regularly and organizes art exhibits inspired by Greek script and the ancient inscriptions.
When Was The Museum Built?
The main building dates from 1885, with an extension added in the 1950s.
Why Is The Museum So Important
The ancient Greeks' detailed and diligent record-keeping provides excellent insight on life and society.
Must-See Exhibits
At first glance, the Epigraphic Museum might seem too specialized; however, a complete cost-account of the Parthenon's construction and a prototype voting machine used in the election of state officers in Athens, circa 162 BC will fascinate visitors.
Fun Fact
The detailed financial data chiseled on ancient marble slabs have an odd similarity to a modern-day computer printout.
Address: 1 Tositsa, Athens (Get Directions)
Telephone: 210 8217637 & 210 8232950
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00 Tuesday Closed.
Discover Some Of The Best Under-The-Radar Museums In The City
