Nikolaos Kaltsas: The National archaeological museum

The annual publication by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and Eurobank EFG – dedicated this year to the “National Archaeological Museum”, Greece’s oldest and largest museum – was officially presented on Friday 7 December 2007. The text, written by archaeologist and Museum Director Nikolaos Kaltsas, introduces and describes its collections, which represent the period from the Neolithic Age to Roman times with scholarly precision and narrative simplicity. This volume is the latest in the series of illustrated books of archaeological interest that have been produced in recent years and financed exclusively by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and Eurobank EFG under the general heading “The Museums Cycle”.In his foreword to the book, Minister of Culture Mr Michalis Liapis states that this book could be construed as more of a need than a surprise and expresses his conviction that it will constitute a landmark publication about the ancient Greek civilisation, both in Greece and abroad. He declares:“The Ministry of Culture supports this significant effort to publicise our cultural heritage, as well as the great services offered by such private initiatives in promoting Greek culture.”Mr. Liapis likewise notes that the State will continue to provide valuable assistance to the National Archaeological Museum, in order that it may become an international academic and cultural centre.“Self-evident and imperative” were the words used by Mrs Marianna Latsis to describe this year’s choice of subject, pointing out that “it is our national duty to promote our cultural heritage in every way.” In addition, Mrs Latsis announced completion of the digitisation programme that has made it possible for all books of archaeological interest that have been published on the initiative of the Foundation and EFG Eurobank up to 2006 to be made available in electronic form on the Internet (e-books). This programme was implemented with the cordial consent of the Ministry of Culture and the Central Archaeological Council. These valuable digital publications are already accessible to the public in the e-Library hosted by the Foundation on its website. The digital form of “The National Archaeological Museum” will be available on-line in the early months of 2008. As Mrs Latsis noted in particular:“This is a pioneering electronic guide to some of Greece’s most significant cultural sites. The enormous potential of digital technology and the bilingual presentation, in Greek and English, of most of our books have made us optimistic that thousands of art-loving surfers on the Internet will come into contact with the ancient Greek civilisation through these electronic anthologies. At the same time, educational systems in Greece and abroad have been enriched with another powerful tool which, although incapable of replacing the fascination and unique experience of physical contact with masterpieces of art, will certainly contribute to disseminating the knowledge and universality of the ancient Greek civilisation.”Mrs Latsis declared in closing that“The publishing presence of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation constitutes an integral part of its multi-faceted activity, with the following main focal points: to promote scholarship, the learning society and social solidarity, to protect the environment and to publicise culture. Whether independently, or through its subsidiary Foundations in Greece and abroad, or through collaborations, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation will carry on and extend its work with Greece’s progress as its sole criterion.”Mr. Nikos Nanopoulos, Chief Executive Officer of Eurobank EFG, referring to the book “The National Archaeological Museum”, declared that:“The creation of this work is a minimum expression of the need that we Greeks have always felt to participate in the permanent national effort to preserve and promote the unique and magnificent Greek civilisation. “The National Archaeological Museum is the crown of Greece’s museums, guardian of our history and culture, and narrator of the brilliant course of the Greeks, which is analysed and beautifully illustrated by the unique works of art surrounding us. And the book we are pleased to present to the public today contains an admirable depiction of just a few of the Museum’s many significant treasures. Stranica: 455Jezik: LONDONPismo: LatinicaStanje: Nova knjigaUvez: Tvrdi s ovitkom