Athens, 24 November 2020
The plan to create an Archaeological Museum in Ermioni was put up today in an online discussion held under the Minister of Culture and Sports, Mrs. Lina Mendoni.
Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, President of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation” attended the teleconference, as well as the Mayor of Ermionida Mr. Ioannis Georgopoulos and the Curator of Antiquities of Argolida Mrs. Alkistis Papadimitriou, who briefly presented the history of Ermionida, “following”, as she quoted, “faithfully the steps of Pausanias”.
Ermioni, with a long and uninterrupted historical presence, from the ancient times until today, presents significant visible remains within its urban structure. Thus, the aim of the museum is to highlight its important monuments and display them through an educational museum presentation that will include selected ancient objects, which have been found in excavations conducted in the area, as well as rich information using digital applications.
According to the Mayor of Ermionida, since 2018, the previous Municipal Council had decided to cede the old City Hall to the Ministry of Culture, so that the neoclassical building can be converted into an Archaeological Museum. The building, which is adjacent to the remains of the early Christian basilica, will be a centre for the promotion and highlighting of the long history of the city but also the starting point of the urban cultural route and tour of the wider area of Ermionida and Argolida.
The preparation of the restoration studies of the building and its transformation into a Museum will be undertaken by Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis in collaboration with the Municipality. The Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida undertakes the elaboration of the museological and museographic study, while in the near future the Ministry of Culture and Sports will proceed with the acceptance of the donation of the building.
Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis stated: “I am feeling really excited that our vision for the creation of an Archaeological Museum in Ermioni begins to be implemented, with the support of the Minister of Culture Mrs. Lina Mendoni. Ermioni is a place with great history and archaeological treasures, which will emerge to ensure not only for Ermioni, but also for the wider area, the historical continuity that every place needs to create a better tomorrow. I will personally support this project with all my strength. A big “thank you” to the Minister of Culture Mrs. Lina Mendoni, to the Mayor of Ermionida Mr. Ioannis Georgopoulos and to the Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida Mrs. Alkisti Papadimitriou who join forces for this important effort with so much love and respect for the history and culture of our country “.
Minister Lina Mendoni stated that “The new Museum can be, not only an important pole of local economic and tourist development of the region, but also, a model place of visit and education for the local people of the wider area. I thank the Mayor for his willingness to cooperate with Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis for her proposal to support the creation of the Archaeological Museum, honouring her birthplace”.
At the end of the teleconference, Mayor Ioannis Georgopoulos made the following statement: “Today, in this highly constructive discussion under the Minister of Culture, Mrs. Lina Mendoni, the foundations and the framework of work and decisions were laid, for the fulfilment of Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis’ wish. Each of the participants, depending on the institution and the Service he or she represents, will undertake a series of actions, so that we can reach the desired result as soon as possible. I warmly thank the Minister of Culture Mrs. Lina Mendoni, for organizing and developing the teleconference and also for the result of it, the Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida Mrs. Alkisti Papadimitriou, for her great interest and valuable help in this effort, and more than anyone I thank our compatriot Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, for her initiative and all her contribution to the creation of the Archaeological Museum of Ermioni”.
