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Nikos Zias, archaeologist, emeritus professor of Art History, president of the European Center for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, passed away on Sunday (10/18), at the age of 81, from its founding in 1997 to 2015.
The Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, affirmed about the loss of the great scientist. «With deep sadness we say goodbye today to Nikos Zia, the scientist and academic professorwho, for more than fifty years, worked tirelessly for the protection, promotion, promotion of the cultural heritage of Byzantium. We say goodbye to the public official who with unmatched devotion and faith served the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Service for decades. We say goodbye to the sweet, charming and multifaceted man, whom those we met and lived closely with will always have in our hearts and in our memories. I was lucky to also work with Nikos Zia Chairman of the Board of the European Center of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, as well as a member of the Central Archaeological Council and the Central Council of Modern Monuments of the Ministry of Culture. His attitudes and expressions of points of view, in addition to his scientific knowledge, showed his deep respect for his interlocutor, for the position of the other, and not only when addressing his counterparts or colleagues, but above all when he spoke with exemplarity. courtesy and understanding with citizens. His erudition, the breadth of his spirit, his capacity and sociability, his devotion and dedication to his values and principles, but also to his goals. Until they are achieved, they cannot be forgotten by those who were close to him and learned from his words and deeds. “
Nikos Zias started his career in Archaeological Service of the Ministry of Culture in 1962, in the Byzantine and Christian Museum. Year 1964 participated in its preparation Historical exhibition of the Council of Europe at the Zappeion Palace on “Byzantine Art – European Art”, from the exhibition that first highlighted the European dimension of Byzantine art. How collaborator of the Byzantine and Christian Museum Nikos Zias went in 1965 to Kastoria, his father’s birthplace, where he recorded and collected a large number of mainly Byzantine icons, some of which he later studied and published. During this initial period he began his involvement with the visual arts of the modern Greek period, collaborating with magazines such as “News Attention“Y”Libra“, with the EIR, presenter of the program ” Art in our life“, and with the newspaper”Meridian“, writing art criticism.
the 1966, having won the contest of the Ministry of the Presidency, he was appointed to Archaeological Service as a curator of antiques. Initially served in Ephorate of modern monuments and then was placed in Mystras, where he participated in the maintenance of the frescoes of his temple Metropolis–Holy Dimitriou, with excavation and restoration work in Mystras, in Monemvasia and in Peanut, organizing an exhibition on “Byzantine origins in contemporary Greek art“.
the 1969 took over the head 4th Ephorato of Byzantine Antiquities (Aegean Islands): carried out excavations in Naxos Y Chios, restoration work and maintenance of the fresco decoration of the temples, the most important task being the separation of the painting in the dome of the temple Protothron in Naxos. He also edited the Post-Byzantine and Modern Greek Art Exhibition from the collection of the Tinos Foundation.
Since 1972 until the 1977 took over the head Ephorate Byzantine Antiques Pattern, who was in charge eleven laws, including those of Zakynthos and her From Kefalonia, where he had the opportunity to immerse himself in the study of the art of the Ionian School. the 1977 transferred to Central Office of the Ministry of Culture, initially assuming the position of his superior Department of Places of the Directorate of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and then that of the head of the Board, after the retirement of Myron Michailidis in 1987.
Since 1970 until the 1983 taught in parallel History of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art and monumental topography in the School of Guides. the 1986 It was announced Doctor. of Philosophical School from the University of Athens: The subject of his dissertation was “The Cosmic Painting of Fotis Kontoglou». His involvement with Kontoglou’s work continued systematically and later, making him one of the most important scholars of his work; He even organized two exhibitions of the painter’s work. at the Cultural Center of the City of Athens (1983-84) and in Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki (1986), having edited the catalogs.
In his eagerness to spread the art to the general public, he conducted a series of free lectures and courses, radio and television programs and films on Byzantine and Modern Greek art, and since 1985 he has collaborated for many years with the newspaper. “the He passed“Writing of brochures and book reviews. All the previous activity was developed simultaneously with the increasing and demanding official duty for the adequate scientific treatment of the complex issues of protection and restoration of monuments and archaeological sites that it had undertaken as Head of the Directorate of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments but also of the Directorate of Conservation of Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture.
Served member of the Central Archaeological Council, the Central Council of Modern Monuments, the Board. of the Archaeological Resources and Expropriations Fund, of the National Gallery Board of Trustees, of the Scientific Committees of the Credit Management Fund for the Execution of Archaeological Works (TDPEAE) and in particular of the Restoration of Monuments of Mystras, Nikopolis, Kastoria, Ilios Melathros and the castles of Pylia (of the latter as president). His college career began in June 1988, when he was first elected Assistant Professor of Art History at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and then associate professor and full professor. In 1998 he left the Ministry Culture, choosing the position of university professor. But he kept his position in ΚΑΣ, in the ΚΣΝΜ and in TDPEAE Scientific Committees., to the BoD of which he was later appointed a member.
In combination with its activity for the preservation of its cultural heritage Byzantium in our country, they envisioned and promoted actions, emanating from Hellas, for the protection and promotion, and internationally, of the Byzantine cultural heritage. His activity as its president was particularly important in this area. European Center Byzantine Y Post-Byzantine Monuments, from its inception in 1997 to 2015, the internationally recognized – especially for European Join Y The UNESCO– of this Center, which, under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, through transnational collaborations, undertakes actions for the promotion of Byzantine culture outside Greece, in countries that have Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments on their territory.
Your interest Nikou Zia for the protection of cultural heritage at the international level was finally registered during his term as president Greek Department of ICOM. Nikos Zias was a multi-dimensional personality, an outstanding and ruthless scientist, a dedicated and methodical high-level civil servant, a charismatic teacher, and of course a charming and noble man with ideas and vision, who worked to protect and promote him. Byzantine cultural heritage but also of modern Greek art on an international scale.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
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