A Memorandum of Cooperation for the study and promotion of Cycladic Culture was signed on 17 May 2024 in Athens by the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni and the President and CEO of the Museum of Cycladic Art, Kassandra Marinopoulou.
The parties agreed to cooperate, in every possible way and by every possible means, in a series of actions aimed at the study, promotion and promotion of Cycladic Culture in Greece and abroad.
In particular, the Memorandum concerns the cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, through the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades and the Museum of Cycladic Art, through the development of multi-level synergies aimed at the study and promotion of the Cycladic cultural heritage.
The joint actions of the Cycladic Academy of Fine Arts and the Museum will include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Co-organization of periodic exhibitions, with the possibility of participation and contribution of third museums, Greek and foreign.
2. Collaborative research projects on the cultural heritage of the Cyclades, with the participation of Greek and foreign national and international museums, as well as other Greek and international museums.
3. Educational activities (educational programmes, summer schools, seminars and others).
4. Co-organisation of conferences, lectures and scientific meetings.
5. Scientific publications and brochures for the general public.
6. Digital applications for the promotion of monuments and museums.
7. Specialised synergies for Cycladic culture, such as the creation of the corpus of Cycladic artefacts, which will include the digital recording of the products of Cycladic culture in a single digital database. The data collected by the Cycladic Art Museum and the Museum will belong to the Ministry of Culture.
8. Cooperation in scientific – research level and in matters of know-how.
9. Cooperation for public awareness for the protection of the material and intangible culture of the Cyclades and for promotional activities for its promotion.
10. Seeking resources from the private sector, through sponsorships and donations, as well as from European programmes.
11. Collaborations with third parties, Greek and international, scientific, research and cultural institutions as well as local bodies of the Cyclades for the achievement of the common objectives of promoting the culture of the Cyclades.
The Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni said after the signing of the Memorandum: “The Memorandum of Cooperation co-signed by the Ministry of Culture and the Museum of Cycladic Art opens up excellent prospects and new avenues for the promotion and enhancement of the treasures of the museum, but also, more broadly, of our cultural heritage.
The Ministry, the Museum and the Ephorate of Cycladic Antiquities are joining forces, experience and knowledge, channelling them into joint actions of vital importance, both for the preservation and protection of the masterpieces of Cycladic culture and for its more systematic study. Soon, we hope to be able to come back with concrete initiatives”.
As stated by the President and CEO of the Museum of Cycladic Art, Cassandra Marinopoulou: “I would like to thank Minister Lina Mendoni for this unprecedented cooperation. The dissemination and promotion of the Cycladic Culture and the Greek cultural heritage in general internationally was and is the purpose of the Museum of Cycladic Art.
The partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Ephorate of Cycladic Antiquities opens up enormous prospects, both for the research and study of Cycladic culture and for the preservation and promotion of the material and intangible culture of the Cyclades, a goal that is a top priority for us through the Cycladic Identity Initiative. Important announcements will soon be made about the first action of this cooperation”.
The Memorandum of Understanding has a duration of 48 months and will be extended by a new agreement.