THE INCLUSION OF THE AMTH IN ITER VITIS: THE BEGINNING OF A UNIQUE JOURNEY THROUGH THE MUSEUM
On July, 2023, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki joined the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe "Iter Vitis - Les Chemins de la vigne" (Paths of the Vine); (https://www.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes/the-iter-vitis-route) as a result of the coordinated actions of the General Director of the Museum Dr. Anastasia Gadolou, the President of Iter Vitis Ms. Emanuela Panke and the Directorate of International Relations and European Union of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, which is the contact point for the Cultural Routes Program of the Council of Europe.
The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Program (https://www.coe.int/en/web/cultural-routes) was launched in 1987 inviting people to travel through space and time to promote, preserve, exploit and transfer to the next generations the common European tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Its aim is to develop intercultural dialogue, exchanges of people and ideas and, more generally, to contribute to the understanding of European history and its multiple cultural expressions. At the same time, it promotes cultural tourism with significant economic results. The culture of wine production and vineyards is an important part of European and Mediterranean societies through time. The aim of the Iter Vitis route is to highlight, utilize and promote the relevant points of interest. The project promotes the mapping and conservation of historic vineyards and the culture associated with them, research, recording and environmental activities to protect biodiversity, and the development of sustainable forms of cultural tourism.
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, the largest and most important museum in Northern Greece, intends to develop, in cooperation with the Directorate of International Relations and European Union of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, various actions and collaborations, aiming to promote and disseminate to society in a scientific and creative way the objectives of the European cultural route Iter Vitis. Its collections include important finds from Macedonia, which reflect the importance of the production and consumption of wine and the dissemination of the cultural value of wine drinking in the context of symposia in antiquity. Suffice it to mention the famous Derveni crater with the sacred marriage of the god Dionysus and Ariadne as the central theme of its decoration, the mosaic floor with a Dionysian scene from a luxurious house in Thessaloniki, an Attic sarcophagus with a representation of the harvest, statues and, of course, a large number of vessels for serving, storing and distributing wine. In particular, the symposium, one of the basic features of Greek culture, was spread by the Greeks throughout the Mediterranean from the mid-8th century BC and was a fundamental social practice reflecting the interaction between family and society members at various stages of their lives, through which individual and collective identities were formed. At the same time, the symposium was incorporated into a number of religious and devotional practices of Greek culture.
TOGETHER ON THE SAME ROUTE, or else, A SYMPOSIUM OF CULTURE: implemented actions of the museum in the framework of the ITER VITIS routeROUTE
July 15, 2023. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki was recommended as a new station on the Iter Vitis route at the cultural festival "Cretan Food Culture: Earth, Food, Health" held from 14 to 16 July 2023 in the Margarites village of the Municipality of Mylopotamos (Crete). In this context and in the session "Cultural Routes of Europe: Identity, Culture, Development" on July 15, the President of the ITER VITIS route Mrs. Emanuela Panke signed the integration agreement of the AMTh and on behalf of the museum, Dr. Styliana Galiniki, archaeologist, Head of the Department of Stonework, Wall-Paintings & Mosaic Collections of the AMTh, presented in her speech a "Wine Journey to Ancient Macedonia through the Collections of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki".
September 15, 2023. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and the Directorate of International Relations and European Union of the Ministry of Culture welcomed the President of the ITER VITIS Cultural Route Mrs. Emanuela Panke and held a press conference on the integration of the museum and the first action carried out within its framework: the creation of a digital route Iter Vitis in its digital application "Museum on the Go", through which the museum visitor can be guided digitally through selected exhibits related to viticulture and wine in ancient Macedonia. The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Culture Mr. Lina Mendoni. (READ MORE)
October 10, 2023. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki participated, upon invitation, in the international meeting of the ECPGR Working Group Vitis Sylvestris Activity on "Increasing the efficiency of conservation of Vitis Sylvestris genetic resources in Europe", which was organized by the Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA and hosted at the Archaeological Museum of Kavala (Kavala, 10-11 October 2023). Dr Evangelia Tsangaraki Archaeologist Head of the Department of Ceramics, Metalwork and Minor Arts Collections, participated in this scientific meeting on behalf of AMTh with a presentation entitled "On the Iter Vitis 'Cultural Route of the Council of Europe': Next stop, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki". The aim was to inform the participants about the inclusion of the AMTh in the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe ITER VITIS and the planning of the first action to promote the aims of the route.
October 27, 2023. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki participated in the European Wine Day that took place in Toulouse, France, in order to celebrate the rich historical and cultural significance of wine as "the soul of Europe". During the event, Dr. Anastasia Gadolou, Director General of the AMTh, gave a lecture on the value of the vine as well as wine making as an important "Cultural Koine" in the ancient Mediterranean. (READ MORE)
October 28, 2023. Dr. Gadolou actively participated in the General Assembly of ITER VITIS members, held on in Fronton, contributing to discussions aimed at promoting the mission of this cultural route. During the Assembly, the collaboration of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki with the "Musée Gallo-Romain de Saint-Romain en Gal" (Represented by archaeologist Dr Christophe Caillaud) and the Saint Joseph University of Lebanon (Represented by Professor Yolla Ghorra Chamoun) was secured. The three ITER VITIS members will collaborate to organise an international symposium on the archaeology of the vine and wine culture, winemaking, circulation and consumption of wine. The symposium will take place at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki in the autumn of 2024.
April 7 & 24, May 12, 2024. On the occasion of the museum's inclusion in the Council of Europe's Cultural Route Iter Vitis, the AMTH presented the exploits of Dionysus, ancient god of the rebirth of nature and wine, through the action "Ancient Myths on Sunday". These are storytelling performances by storyteller Rodanthi Dimitresi (founder of Action Art / Visual Action) and are aimed at families with children aged 8-12 years old. In this journey through mythology, visitors follow Dionysus on his adventures through the museum's exhibits. (READ MORE)
June 28-30, 2024. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki participated in the "1st annual meeting of the members of the ITER VITIS Cultural Route of the Council of Europe in Greece". Τhe meeting took place in Kastoria (Tsiatsiapa Mansion) following the coordinated synergies of the Municipality of Kastoria, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kastoria and the Directorate of International Relations & European Union of the Ministry of Culture, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.
During the proceedings of the meeting, the President of ITER VITIS, Mrs. Emanuela Panke, presented the objectives, achievements and future expectations in the context of this cultural route in Greece, while representatives of the member institutions presented the actions they have implemented so far and exchanged views and concerns for the future.
The inclusion of the AMTh in the ITER VITIS route was the topic of the speech of the Director General of the museum Dr. Anastasia Gadolou ("The Inclusion of the AMTh in the ITER VITIS Cultural Route of the Council Of Europe: The Beginning of Another Unique Journey"), while Dr. Styliana Galiniki, Head of the Department of Lithics, Wall-paintings and Mosaics Collections of the museum delivered a lecture entitled: "Dionysus in Thessaloniki: Aspects of his worship as seen through the exhibits of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki".
During the round table discussion that followed on future actions, all members acknowledged the importance of the meetings and the partnership of the stakeholders in the common goal, namely the promotion of the cultural importance of wine, which has the power to rally and build communities.
September 25-27, 2024. In September 2024, the Director General of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Dr Anastasia Gadolou, attended the 13th Αnnual advisory Forum of the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes held in Visegrad and Budapest in Hungary.
The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki participates institutionally in the Forum in collaboration with the Directorate of International Relations and European Union of the Ministry of Culture, which is the point of contact for the Greek members of the Cultural Routes and the Council of Europe.
This year’s Forum aims to explore how cultural heritage can be a conduit for youth engagement, innovation, and the transmission of traditional practices to younger generations. By focusing on these elements, the forum seeks to emphasize the vital role of young people and families in preserving and invigorating Europe’s rich cultural tapestry, while also recognizing how the cultural heritage sector can learn from the innovative perspectives and fresh ideas of the youth.
In an effort to align its operations with the Council of Europe's tenets, The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki intends to organise a workshop on this very subject in the Spring of 2025 in cooperation with the city's educational community.
In favor of the above aim young people from 12-18 years old will be invited in order to be informed about the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, and to plan together the future actions for the promotion and dissemination of the Cultural Route, ITER VITIS. Les Chemins de la vigne, an important station of which is the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
October 18th 2024. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, a certified member of the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe “ITER VITIS. Les Chemins de La Vigne” wins at the Iter Vitis Awards 2024!
We are delighted to announce that our museum has been honored for creating a digital micro-route through the ”Museum on the Go” application. With this innovative route, visitors can digitally explore selected exhibits related to winemaking, wine trade and wine consumption in the framework of the fundamental social practice of Symposium in ancient Macedonia, offering a unique cultural experience.
The “Museum on the Go” app provides users with an interactive and personalized way to explore history and culture, both inside and outside the museum.
This prestigious award recognises our dedication to innovation and our efforts to preserve and promote our cultural heritage and our shared european values by incorporating modern technological practices.
THE JOURNEY GOES ON: STAY TUNED!
Follow the "path of the vine" (ITER VITIS) through the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. The journey has just begun.
