Wednesday, October 31, 2007
New Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Open its doors in 2010.
Over 45,000 Greek and foreign visitors have been to the new exhibition at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum which opened to the public on 25 July. Meanwhile work is continuing rapidly on the modernisation and extension of the new museum complex, which is to house about 10,000 Minoan artefacts.
According to Museum Director Nota Dimopoulou, there are 800-1200 visitors a day. She told us: “These are mostly small groups and individual visitors who are particularly interested in archaeology and culture. There are no huge crowds and the tours take place smoothly, without problems. Unfortunately this new room is not suitable for mass tourist visits from cruise ships. There are compromises concerning visits to the museum, but don’t forget that Heraklion Archaeological Museum used to be the busiest museum in Greece.”
The new building of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Meanwhile work is continuing rapidly on the modernisation and extension of Heraklion Archaeological Museum, despite the delays caused by the discovery of the monastery of St Francis, changes to the plans, the withdrawal of the first consortium to undertake the work, etc.
The display area will cover an area of 3,000 square metres. About 10,000 of the 14,000 finds formerly on display will be exhibited in 25 rooms.
The building is expected to be ready in 2008, when the museological study should also have been completed. Circumstances permitting, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum will be ready to receive visitors in 2010. The budget is 21 million euros.
Animal welfare in Chania
A new Animal Welfare and Cultural Association called “Animal Protection” (“Prostasia ton Zoon”) has been established in Chania by citizens wanting to promote the cause of animal welfare in the town. The Association has issued the following announcement:
"They say that hope always dies last. That is why we, a group of friends who love animals, hope that things will change. We have decided to unite hearts, minds and forces to do something for the cause of animal welfare in Chania, where local attitudes do little credit to the history and culture of our city.
The aim of our Association is the protection of animals by the following means:
a) Constant and insistent efforts for public information and awareness, starting at an early age, in order to educate children and adults. We will pay particular attention to this aim, as we believe that the cultivation of love for animals is the alpha and omega of animal welfare. We must learn
- Not to abandon animals in the street.
- Not to poison them.
- To love them.
- To neuter them.
b) Constant and insistent efforts to pressure city municipal and political authorities to assume their responsibilities under Law 3170/03 and implement an animal sterilisation programme, in order to limit the problem of desperate strays. Note that scientists say that sterilisation is also very good for the animal’s health. The authorities are also required to create an animal housing and adoption park according to EU regulations, with funding provided by the EU for the purpose, where animals can be happy until they are adopted.
c) Efforts to feed strays at specific points of our city and in the villages. We have already taken the first steps. Soon, in collaboration with the Directorate of Primary Education, to which we have written, we will start a series of presentations in schools, putting up posters and handing out leaflets about animals. Our members and volunteers are putting out food for strays at specific feeding points. Please do not put down poison there or anywhere else. It is a crime against life. It is also a criminal act and we will take any provable case of attempted or actual animal poisoning or ill-treatment to court.
We have already contacted the Municipality of Chania and other nearby Municipalities. We have sent an official letter to the Prefecture of Chania and the Municipalities of Chania, Platanias, Akrotiri, Nea Kydonia, with others to follow soon, as well as to the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities, local political authorities including Chania MP Mr Nikiforakis, and the Church. We ask that they assume their lawful responsibilities regarding stray animals. This is not a vague theoretical proposal. We have done extensive research on the subject and found municipalities with a very good record on animal welfare. The main argument of local municipalities, that there are no funds available, is false. Both the Ministry of Agricultural Development and the Ministry of the Interior have huge funds, mainly from the European Union, available to hand out to municipalities to use on stray animal sterilisation programmes and animal parks with ultra-modern facilities. All it takes is guts - otherwise known as political will.
Our local municipalities have shown absolutely no interest so far. We hope to rock the boat. We are ready and willing to help them in every way possible, but we are also prepared to take any legal action at both national and international level if they continue to ignore the issue.
Two other animal welfare associations, previously or currently run by German citizens, are active in Chania. We are not trying to supplant them in their work, which is mainly focussed on gathering strays and getting them adopted, mainly abroad. We will act in areas where these associations cannot.
We are open to offers of help from everyone working for the good of animals. Our hopes are many, our dreams wide, our needs enormous. If you can help us in any way, please contact us. We need material aid, voluntary contributions and, above all, moral support. We must stress, however, that we are not in a position to set up an animal treatment and adoption programme. This must be done through the municipalities and in collaboration with local vets.
