He had also the chance to carry out a brief overview of actions realized in the context of the programme in 2012.

“It is a very important programme that reflects the philosophy of the political leadership and the government as a whole, because in a country like Greece that combines cultural heritage with unbelievable natural beauty, policy for the environment and culture must be fully cooperative and convergent,” Mr. Panagiotopoulos said.

He also mentioned and informed about the Greek exhibitions that are due to travel abroad in the current year and be hosted by international museums and galleries. Some of them are “Heaven and Earth” exhibition on Byzantine-era art that toured the National Gallery in Washington and is now at the Getty Centre in Los Angeles and the exhibition “Greeks: From Agamemnon to Alexander the Great” that is due to open in Ottawa in December.

Another major Greek archaeological exhibition that will travel abroad, as Mr. Panagiotopoulos added, is the exhibition on the findings of the Antikythera Shipwreck including the Antikythera Mechanism which is considered to be the world’s earliest computing mechanism.

The Greek Ministry of Culture will begin the discussions with specialists of the National Gallery of Art in Washington on its transfer to Washington in June.

“The issue of holding exhibitions of Greek cultural heritage abroad is a key policy direction. We believe the country needs this extroversion, which will rebuild the country’s image abroad, show Greece’s cultural heritage and promote the country in the best possible way. The image of Greek culture is the best possible ambassador for the country,” he mentioned.

During the Greek Cultural Pathways programme a number of events will take place until Sunday, including rambles, hikes, bike rides, thematic tours, artistic events, educational programmes and presentations.

All events are free of charge and take place in all 29 Greek prefectures. More than 150 agencies and organisations as well as large numbers of volunteers will rtake part.

Some of the events that stand out is the tour “In the footsteps of Aristoteles and Theophrastus” organised by the Museum of Natural History and the Lesvos Petrified Forest on the island of Lesvos during which island’s natural environment is highlighted and the hikes organised around the Eleftherna archaeological site in Rethymno, a region known for hundreds of endemic plants.