Proud of the Pella Museum and satisfied with the archaeological site of the area, the Minister of Culture said Lina Mendoniwhich was found yesterday, accompanied by the Director General of Antiquities of Olympia Vikatou. In her statements after the visit, the minister referred to a posted video in the Tiktok application regarding the situation in part of the Pella archaeological site, stressing that “it does not correspond to reality” and announcing that the Ephorate of Antiquities of Pella would do all the legal action,
“A few days ago a video was released on Tiktok which is extremely offensive to Pella. I would have no problem taking on any responsibility on behalf of the service, if they were true, “the Minister of Culture told reporters, stressing that both the archaeological site of Pella and the museum” is generally acknowledged by the most interesting sites and the most interesting places “.
Commenting on Ms Mendoni points of the video, he referred to the infrastructure buildings presented as “abandoned” and explained that they were created on the basis of a plan by the Ministry of Culture 25 years ago, which predicted that the modern entrance to the archaeological site would be made from the same place in antiquity. “Normally, in order for the buildings to work as designed, there should have been a road, an entrance, to have markings, to have a parking lot outside today’s footbridge, so that the visitor could enter the same street and to have the same direction as he had in front of him. For a variety of reasons, this is delayed, “he said, stressing that the Ministry of Culture is not responsible for this. However, as he pointed out, these infrastructure “is in no way in the situation in this video” and “the space where the buildings are in essence is not accessible”.
He noted, however, that there are laboratories inside a building where copies of the Organization for Development and Management of Cultural Resources are produced, supplying the Pella Museum, as well as other archaeological sites and museum sales. There is also a workshop in the other building that presents the logic of maintaining ancient objects, which is primarily aimed at schools. “I asked Mrs Tsigarida (Head of the Ephorate of Pella Antiquities) from June 1st to open it to visitors to the archaeological site, because we know that such activities, digital programs and films that show the maintenance of antiquities,”
Also, in the archaeological site of 4,000 acres there are two amphitheaters – an outdoor and one covered – used in the summer months for events. “I asked the service – and we will do so – to become a closed amphitheater a space for digital projections for the history of Alexander the Great. The Ephorate is already ready for some material, which is not made for this purpose, however, it will be used for immediate promotion, “he said, adding that at the same time the ministry would implement a research program in collaboration with academic institutions, to create a special digital promotion. “Alexander started from here and combines three magical areas of our Macedonia: Pella, Aegean and Zeus. There are three sanctuaries, which we must respect to the maximum extent possible and display them as much as possible, “Ms Mendoni said.
Regarding the sign commentary in the video, which refers to the project for the development of visitors’ information systems in museums and archaeological areas of € 3,852,000, it made it clear that the beneficiary was the promotion of Greek culture – which has been cleared since August 2011 – and the project concerns at least 62. “Technology, as you know, is transcended very quickly. From 2015-2016 these machines could no longer respond because technologies had changed. Therefore, any suspicion of mismanagement of money does not exist, “he said.
Finally, commenting on the point referring to the greens, Mrs Mendoni said that the lawn in the archaeological sites begins in March and is in three phases, but it did not yet began due to rainfall and the greens are still green. “Therefore, grafts will take place three times until summer and there will be no dry grass, which is the major element of protecting the archaeological site from fire from fire and aesthetic tour of visitors,” he said.
The media present at the meeting with the Minister were guided by the Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities Pella Elizabeth Tsigarida in the archaeological site to see the workshops operating in the buildings.
The program of the Ministry of Culture for Pella in progress
Before the Minister of Culture left, he referred to the projects being carried out in the Pella region and addressed to the Members of the area present, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Dionysis Stamenitis and George Karasmanis, said that “our program is in the process of Important things still. “
Specifically, he referred to the palace, which he said “ends at the end of the year and is also attributed to the world”, as well as that at the end of the year “the castle of Almopia should end”, two major projects that are included in the NSRF and the Recovery Fund respectively.
Concerning the old Metropolis of Giannitsa, Mrs Mendoni stressed that all studies were completed and approved. “The project will be executed by the District Technical Service. He has been submitted and is at the level of consultation, with the management authority, in order to proceed with this project, “he noted. For Isceoter Bey Mosque in Pella, which was granted to the Ministry of Culture by the National Bank, the minister said that “preliminary studies were being done and currently preparing the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki to see a research program. Some things need to be removed (newer buildings etc) in order to highlight the monument itself and to be attributed to the city as well, “he said.
Finally, at the regional unit level, the minister said that the Restoration of Byzantine and Post -Byzantine Monuments would implement the rehabilitation project at the Edessa Geni Mosque, budget of 2,200,000.