Acropolis Barricaded Again

The Acropolis was once again used as a bargaining tool last month when employees of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism kept the site closed for four hours as a symbolic protest against the ministry’s failure to pay some of their colleagues.

According to press reports, some 500 employees on short-term contracts had not been paid for 21 months.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry made no official comment on the takeover but received sharp criticism from the Greek media on their general handling of cultural and tourism issues.

Separately, during the inauguration ceremony of the renovated archaeological museum on Thassos last month, Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos announced plans to open 20 new or renovated museums over the next six to 12 months.

The Greek press and tourism professionals wondered what the point is since there is not enough staff to look after the sites and museums that already operate.