Acropolis: The “light of the 21st century” embraces the Sacred Rock

The new lighting of the Acropolis was done with Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaking of a celebration beyond borders and languages ​​and emphasizing that “the light of the 21st century embraces” the Holy Rock.

For the first time, lighting distinguishes the monuments of the Holy Rock from the walls, but also between them, says the Ministry of Culture in a relevant statement. Specifically, 9 points are illuminated again: The Rock, the Walls, the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nikis, the Erechtheion, the Theater of Dionysus, the Stoa of Eumenes, the Dionysian Sanctuary.

This is the first in a series of projects carried out by the Ministry of Culture to improve the infrastructure and services provided by the Acropolis, with a donation and implementation by the Onassis Foundation.

The work to improve the lighting in the Holy Rock was carried out today at 8:00 p.m., in the presence of the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni and the President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis S. Papadimis at Pnyx.

Mitsotakis: “Celebration beyond borders and languages”

“The light of the 21st century embraces the Acropolis. It is a celebration beyond borders and languages.” The values ​​that were born in this place are a universal property, “Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his greeting.

“Democracy and the principles of classical Athens need more light today as some question the regime of moderation and its ability to bring equality and fair participation to the political process. They also demand the emergence of those aspects that lead to the reflection of democratic rules. “As is happening now and with the new way of knowing the Acropolis,” said the country’s prime minister.

“The old lighting was already fifteen years old,” Mitsotakis said, adding that time was running out and their technology was out of date.

“The change that is taking place today was a conscious political choice. To reintegrate the symbol of classical Greece into everyday life. The practical objective was twofold. On the one hand, to highlight the space with its volume and geometry.” On the other hand, facilities must be modernized, gaining more durability and a smaller energy footprint, “said Mr. Mitsotakis.

Mendoni: The image of the Acropolis reflects and emits the image of the country

“In the midst of the pandemic, it is very important that Athens can offer the Greeks, its visitors, the whole world a new and improved image of the Sacred Rock,” said the Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, in her greeting.

“The image of our superior monument reflects and emits the image of the country. Good luck wanted, our goal is to adopt the Al. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation, who kindly offered to do significant sponsorship of a number of projects on the Acropolis. The most important are the lighting that now illuminates the monuments, sending a message of beauty and optimism to everyone, as well as the construction and replacement of the slope elevator, an innovative and extremely complex project, in order to guarantee accessibility to the archaeological site with absolute safety, not only for the disabled, but also for all those who have difficulties to approach the Acropolis and its monuments, “added the Minister of Culture and Sports.

Antonis S. Papadimitriou: People need to see the Parthenon again symbolically

“These marbles and what was written on these marbles, for 2,500 years have accompanied not only the destiny of this place, but also the intellect of all humanity. As Greeks but also as Europeans, as citizens of the world, it was a fulfillment of a duty for us at the Onassis Foundation to respond to the invitation of the State to help in the redesign of the lighting of the Acropolis of Athens and the monuments that now face us. from the depths of centuries ”, the president of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis S. Papadimitriou, said in his own greeting.

“We had to shed light on the intangible quintessence of history. Symbolically highlight the monument of the Republic. Today more than ever, Athens is needed, Europe is needed, the world needs to see the Parthenon again symbolically, brighter, more visible, more comforting. “The truth of democracy and the value of human rights must be symbolically illuminated and the new illumination of the Acropolis signals this need,” said Mr. Papadimitriou.

“Apart from that, in our city that struggles with itself, from Hymettus to Parnitha and Salamina, we wanted to renew our encounter with this unique landmark. In the city characterized by its Acropolis, the Parthenon is visible from the most unexpected places, from a strait between two apartment buildings and a jasmine, from balconies and terraces in Neos Kosmos, Egaleo, Kaisariani, Piraeus, it is the most distinctive and the. most democratic landmark in the city, “she characteristically underlined.

With information from ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Photos: EUROKINISSI / GIORGOS KONTARINIS