Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Run-down heritage sites embarrass the Greeks
The Guardian ^ | Monday June 23, 2008 | Helena Smith in Athens

Posted on 06/29/2008 10:58:52 AM PDT by SunkenCiv

...Amid unprecedented protests from tour guides, travel companies and tourists irritated by conditions at prime archaeological sites, the ruling conservatives last week rushed hundreds of additional personnel to staff museums and open-air antiquities... The move follows embarrassing revelations over the upkeep of Greece's ancient wonders and mounting public disquiet, voiced mostly by foreigners in the local press, over visitor access to them.

Yesterday, the authoritative newspaper Sunday Vima disclosed that the Cycladic isle of Delos - the site of Apollo's mythological sanctuary and one of Greece's most important ancient venues - resembled an "archaeological rubbish dump". Recently, it emerged that many sites, including Delphi, Mycenae and the spectacular Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri on the popular island of Santorini, were only partially open or permanently closed.

In an effort to stem the criticism, the conservatives last week ordered that opening hours be extended at museums and sites nationwide. Following the timetable of civil servants, sites had opened at 8am and closed by 3pm, denying thousands of tourists, especially those on cruise ships, the chance to see them...

"What we are seeing is the indifference of a government that simply does not make culture a priority," the shadow culture minister, Maria Damanaki, told the Guardian...

Ancient theatre of Epidavros was the site of chaotic scenes following strikes by cleaners at its two toilets.

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last
Temple of Apollo in Delos, Greece. Photograph: Andrew Morse/Alamy
Run-down heritage sites embarrass the Greeks
1 posted on 06/29/2008 10:58:53 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: blam; StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; ...

· join list or digest · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post a topic ·

 
Gods
Graves
Glyphs
The article mentioned that the ruling party was "conservative" at least twice.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.
GGG managers are Blam, StayAt HomeMother, and Ernest_at_the_Beach
 

· Google · Archaeologica · ArchaeoBlog · Archaeology magazine · Biblical Archaeology Society ·
· Mirabilis · Texas AM Anthropology News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo ·
· History or Science & Nature Podcasts · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists ·


2 posted on 06/29/2008 11:00:57 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_________________________Profile updated Friday, May 30, 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Whoever heard of inviting company over for dinner, but not cleaning the house in preparation for the visit? The Greeks, would be MY guess.

*sheesh*

Idiots


3 posted on 06/29/2008 11:04:27 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv; kiki04; Kolokotronis; MarMema; kosta50; wrathof59; katnip; FormerLib; ezfindit; ...

Hellenism alert!


4 posted on 06/29/2008 11:06:43 AM PDT by eleni121 (EN TOUTO NIKA!! +)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv
Photobucket
5 posted on 06/29/2008 11:15:24 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

The Guardian operates using stealth tactics. There is so much more to this hit piece.

The story is far more complex and compelling than this kind of ambush “journalism” would want us to believe.

The running battle lies here really...with the struggle to return to Greece the stolen Parthenon Marbles (now placed forlornly and being damaged at the British Museum) to where they belong - at the Parthenon.

http://news.scotsman.com/uk/EasyJet-founder-gets-Elgin-marbles.4186878.jp


6 posted on 06/29/2008 11:22:25 AM PDT by eleni121 (EN TOUTO NIKA!! +)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!


7 posted on 06/29/2008 11:24:33 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_________________________Profile updated Friday, May 30, 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Talk about run-down.

That place is in ruins!

8 posted on 06/29/2008 11:28:33 AM PDT by SIDENET (Hubba Hubba...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

I’ll go sit in the corner now.


9 posted on 06/29/2008 11:30:47 AM PDT by SIDENET (Hubba Hubba...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: eleni121

Thanks for that link.


10 posted on 06/29/2008 11:31:10 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_________________________Profile updated Friday, May 30, 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SIDENET
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

11 posted on 06/29/2008 11:32:25 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_________________________Profile updated Friday, May 30, 2008)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

This is also VERY funny!


12 posted on 06/29/2008 11:32:43 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face

Timeto bring in the Armenians to do the work!


13 posted on 06/29/2008 11:34:39 AM PDT by Dr. Ursus (( commander of the simian host))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

14 posted on 06/29/2008 11:38:02 AM PDT by Snurple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Ursus

SOMEbody need to!

What. Did they fire all the maids?


15 posted on 06/29/2008 11:39:45 AM PDT by Monkey Face (Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Put me on your GGG list, please.


16 posted on 06/29/2008 11:57:22 AM PDT by DesScorp
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Ursus; Monkey Face; Kolokotronis
This silly story is not about Greek people not doing the work...it's partly about the government's - a conservative one - attempt to influence and reform the work rules of the union workers who are hired to watch over the museums and other historical sites. Apparently the govt is trying to hire non union folks and that caused the unions to declare a strike...thus the bathroom situation in some places.

But the story's ulterior motive stems from the attempt on the part of the Brits to maintain their clutches on the stolen Parthenon Marbles.

We were at some of the most important sites last summer (Delphi, Acropolis, Mycenae, etc) and we found a very clean, organized albeit crowded environment amidst the majesty of the sites.

BTW-Ursus: I will take your comment about the Armenians as a silly remark made in jest. I am sure you realize that the Greek and Armenian people have shared much devastation by barbaric Muslims and both nations are willing to do MUCH more than help clean each other's facilities.

17 posted on 06/29/2008 12:04:18 PM PDT by eleni121 (EN TOUTO NIKA!! +)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Snurple
.

This is Sparta!

.
18 posted on 06/29/2008 12:42:39 PM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

love it!


19 posted on 06/29/2008 1:38:14 PM PDT by mcar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv; eleni121

We get over to Greece fairly regularly. I can’t say as I ever found that the ancient sites were dirty. I did notice that the British tourists were, and generally drunk too, probably from drowning the shame brought on them by that thief Elgin.


20 posted on 06/29/2008 1:49:29 PM PDT by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson