A Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation (MoU) was signed on Thursday June 16th among the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Networks (POMEDI), ATTIKO METRO S.A. and the Thessaloniki Municipality whose scope is the formulation of a framework of cooperation for the in-situ display of important antiquities revealed during the construction works of VENIZELOU Station.
In the presence of the Minister of Culture and Sports Mr. A. Baltas, the above Memorandum was signed by the Secretary General of the same Ministry Ms. M. Andreadaki-Blazaki, the Secretary General of POMEDI Mr. G. Dedes, the Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr. G. Boutaris and the Chairman of ATTIKO METRO S.A., Professor G. Mylopoulos.
During the excavation works in the Station area, a uniquely preserved monument was revealed which keeps unaltered the authenticity of a historical phase of the city of Thessaloniki. The antiquities unearthed in the framework of VENIZELOU Station construction supplement the historical profile of the city center and, along with the other standing monuments in the area, form an aesthetic and functional unit which shall ascribe a new identity to the public urban area at a key location for the daily life of the modern city.
In the framework of the MoU, a work team is established to offer its support to the Station designers providing them with directions for the in-situ display of the antiquities and the integration of the new structures with the monuments, as well as the relevant specifications pertaining to the city functions and identity. The teams shall constantly cooperate and shall jointly deal with any problems that may immerge during the preparation of the required designs.
The signing of the memorandum signals a new period in the construction of VENIZELOU Station. It ensures conditions of fertile cooperation among the involved agencies in the direction of the harmonious co-existence of the ancient monuments with the modern projects and it offers a prospect for overall re-development of a vital area of Thessaloniki rich in historical references.
It’s worth stressing that the application of the proper technical solutions foreseen by the new designs of the project shall achieve the goal of constructing and operating of the station while at the same time it shall contribute to the in-situ display of this major monument which will serve as an original city landmark.
In the above framework, the Chairman of ATTIKO METRO S.A., Professor G. Mylopoulos made the following statement: “Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation among the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Networks, ATTIKO METRO S.A. and the Thessaloniki Municipality whose scope is the display of the archaeological finds at VENIZELOU station of Thessaloniki Metro, is a historical moment.
This memorandum signals a new period in the construction of VENIZELOU Station ensuring the conditions of fertile cooperation among the involved agencies in the direction of the harmonious co-existence of the ancient monuments with the modern projects and it offers a prospect for overall re-development of a vital area of Thessaloniki, rich in historical references.
The cooperation among the four agencies opens new roads to the construction of Thessaloniki Metro and the co-existence of a modern technical project with a significant monument which shall serve as a city landmark.
Today we are standing before a tangible proof that Thessaloniki can indeed plan its future”.
