Culture up for reform and digitization

The growth potential of the cultural field, the big projects and reforms that need to be accelerated, but also the philosophy of approaching culture as a whole that comprises both heritage and modern creative forces were highlighted by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni on Tuesday as she took back the portfolio from the caretaker government’s Giorgos Koumendakis.

Lina Mendoni outlines priorities as she returns as head of one of Greece’s key ministries

Returning to the post she held before this year’s first parliamentary elections on May 21, Mendoni spoke of many reforms in culture “that must be completed” or “that were carried out and fully implemented.” Among the projects that need to continue or be completed, she listed those that are included in a package of projects being bankrolled through the European Union’s Recovery Fund, such as the revamp of the National Archaeological Museum, the restoration of the former royal estate at Tatoi in northern Athens, the creation of a museum dedicated to antiquities found in the sea, and what she described as the “big challenge,” the digital transformation of the agencies and bodies representing modern culture.

Christos Dimas, who has been appointed the ministry’s deputy for contemporary culture (he was the deputy for research and technology at the Development Ministry in the previous administration), also stressed that the objective is to further develop the cultural field in Greece, which, he said, has “endless” potential.

His first order of business, he said, will be to visit all of the bodies and agencies that fall under his purview in order to start building a personal relationship with their management and staff. Tuesday’s handover ceremony was also attended by the secretaries-general for culture and contemporary culture, Giorgos Didaskalou and Eleni Doundoulaki, respectively, who will carry on with their work at the ministry. The deputy minister for sports, Giorgos Mavrotas, was not at the ceremony, as that portfolio has been moved from the Culture Ministry to the Education Ministry.

Speaking to reporters after the end of the handover ceremony in reference to questions about the draft laws that the Culture Ministry is expected to present to Parliament for ratification in the next couple of months, Mendoni noted only that certain legislative actions have already been drafted but need to be “freshened up” before going to the House.

With regard to the cyberattack launched against the Culture Ministry a few days ago, she said that the website is working again, though the time it took to get it up and running was not entirely satisfactory. Protecting the ministry against such attacks is another chief priority, Mendoni added.