The need to upgrade the facilities of the War Museum, design new services, and reassess its architectural choices was emphasized by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias during his speech at the celebration of the museum’s 50 years of operation, in the presence of the President of the Republic and Konstantinos Tasoulas. “We want to make the Museum a point of reference not only for the history of Greeks in war, but also for the capital of the state, the city of Athens, with its millions of international visitors. A modern building, a modern Museum, worthy of the historical memory of a great Nation. The Nation of the Greeks” the minister stated characteristically. In this context, he noted that the collaboration with London’s Imperial War Museum and upcoming synergies with other foreign museums ensure the breadth of the undertaking and the timeless promotion of Hellenism’s contribution to international historical heritage.
Who attended the event for the War Museum’s 50 years of operation
The event was also attended by Deputy Defense Minister Thanasis Davakis, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Ioannis Andrianos, Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Konstantinos Vlasis, Deputy Minister of Digital Governance Christos Dermentzopoulos, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Insurance Anna Efthymiou, Deputy Minister of Development Stavros Kalafatis, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Christos Kellas, Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection Ioannis Lambropoulos, Deputy Minister of Development Lazaros Tsavdaridis, the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic Aliki Chatzi, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice Pelops Laskos.
On behalf of the military leadership, Chief of GEETHA General Dimitrios Choupis, Army Chief Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras and Deputy Air Force Chief Air Vice Marshal Ioannis Kotsakis as representative of the Air Force Chief attended.
Also present were MP and former Defense Minister and Honorary Chief of GEETHA Admiral (ret.) Evangelos Apostolakis, Governor of Mount Athos and former Defense Minister Alkiviadis Stefanis, Bishop of Euripos Chrysostomos as representative of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, President of the War Museum Administrative Council Air Vice Marshal (ret.) Konstantinos Karamesinis, Vice Presidents Vice Admiral (ret.) Alexandros Diakopoulos and Lieutenant General (ret.) Ioannis Tzounakos, Administrative Council members Brigadier General (ret.) Michail Tsamaz, Brigadier General (ret.) Konstantinos Velentzas, Brigadier General (ret.) Efstathios Potamitis and Rear Admiral (ret.) Panagiotis Laskaridis, Honorary Chiefs, Officers and Non-commissioned Officers, as well as Museum staff.
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Full speech by Georgios Gerapetritis
“Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great joy and great honor for me to be here today and address you on the anniversary of 50 years of operation of the War Museum. A building of central importance for the city of Athens. A building of central importance for the Armed Forces of our Homeland, I dare say for all Greek men and women. This building constitutes an architectural expression of the Bauhaus period and was built with the purpose of highlighting our National heritage.
To showcase our National continuity, especially to the new Generations of Greeks. Because as the President said earlier, a Museum of the 21st century cannot and should not be a simple display of objects. We cannot remain in the 1960s, when this Museum was designed. And we must be honest.
The War Museum, or if you prefer more anthropocentrically, the Museum of Greeks in War, must evolve. Perhaps we have delayed. A modern War Museum is the visualization of information about the National Narrative, our Collective National Memory. It must therefore reach the souls of young Greeks, the children of today’s era. An era of globalization. And explain to them the codes of National Symbolisms. This Museum must participate in the National Effort, not with stereotypical, old-fashioned moralistic rules, but with terms of the current 21st century.
And articulate the narrative adequately and also articulate it on social networks. To participate in social dialogue for promoting National identity in the future, preserving and highlighting our past. I have repeatedly said that for me the word preservation has a deeply positive sign. And in the Greek language, the opposite of progress is regression. Preservation is positive, its opposite is decay.
The War Museum must dialogue with Hellenism beyond the geographical borders of the Greek state. Greeks of the diaspora, ladies and gentlemen, are perhaps even more Greek than us and deserve contact with the History of the Nation and need it more. Following this holistic approach that we have called ‘Agenda 2030’, our War Museum will also enter the New Era.
Of course, upgrading of facilities is required, designing new provided services, perhaps reassessment of the Architectural Choices of its important designer, the academic, Thucydides Valentis. We pursue, however, and the purpose remains the same, stable, timelessly to proudly showcase in the 21st century, the values and struggles of the Nation. To us, Hellenism, within and beyond but also to the International community. Because the timeless Ideology of Hellenism embraces cosmopolitanism. It is opposed to a closed anachronistic phobic provincialism.
The collaboration primarily but not only with London’s Imperial War Museum, the upcoming synergies with other foreign museums, ensure the breadth of the undertaking and the timeless promotion of Hellenism’s contribution to international historical heritage.
Ladies and gentlemen,
At this point, I would like to express my warmest thanks to those who contribute to the Museum’s operation. Supporting with their actions the new effort to highlight our historical tradition. I would like to start with President Air Vice Marshal (ret.) Konstantinos Karamesinis. The members of the Administrative Council, distinguished scientists but also donors to the Armed Forces.
Honorary Rear Admiral Mr. Laskaridis, Honorary Brigadier Generals Mr. Mytilineos, Mr. Tsamaz, Mr. Velentzas, Mr. Stathis Potamitis and Honorary Captain Mr. Angelakos. They have proven many times their interest in preserving our National heritage. They constitute proven brilliant fellow travelers of the Ministry of National Defense in the effort to strengthen and promote the work of the Armed Forces in the past and present.
I would also like to warmly thank the Museum staff. It is certain that without them any effort will not succeed. They too contribute catalytically to the War Museum’s entry into the New Era.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In a few days, the 1st Phase of renovation of what was until recently the Architectural Monstrosity that constituted the building of the Ministry of National Defense is completed. And I would like to take this opportunity to say that we have already secured from private resources, the continuation of the renovation. A short while ago, Piraeus Bank announced to me through its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Megalou, that it is offering the amount of 10 million euros to the Ministry of National Defense to continue the renovation.
Thus freed from the concern of the Ministry we can focus together with the President and members of the Administrative Council to create the New Era of the War Museum. Because we want to make the Museum a point of reference not only for the history of Greeks in war, but also for the capital of the State, the city of Athens, with millions of international visitors. A modern building therefore, a modern Museum, worthy of the historical memory of a great Nation. The Nation of the Greeks.
Thank you very much“.
