Greek Culture Ministry Targets Evros with €40 Million in Projects

Didimoticho, Evros. Photo source: Didimoticho Municipality

The Greek Culture Ministry is implementing projects worth approximately 40 million euros in the Evros regional unit, in close cooperation with the region’s authorities.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni announced these initiatives during her recent visit to Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, where she participated in a briefing led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Greek PM outlined projects for the region with a total budget of 2.83 billion euros.

Among these projects, several fall under the responsibility of the Culture Ministry and are part of the Greek government’s strategic plan for regional development and reconstruction following the wildfires of 2023.

The Culture Ministry’s projects

Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni. Photo source: 2023Eleusis/ Costas Baltas

During her speech, Minister Mendoni detailed the projects the Culture Ministry has undertaken in recent years, some of which are completed while others are ongoing or forthcoming. These concern:

– The burial mound of Mikris Doxiparas – Zonis
– The Beyazit Temple at Didymoticho
– The new Alexandroupolis Museum
– The ancient zone along the Ancient Egnatia Road
– The Samothrace Archaeological Museum
– Didymoticho Castle
– The altar of the Great Gods at Samothrace
– Plotinopolis
– Saint Athanasios church in Metaxades
– Saint Panteleimonas church in Paliouri
– Saint Athanasios church in Alepohori

Enhancing Cultural Heritage: Engaging Local Authorities and Creating Jobs

Soufli, Evros. Photo source: Soufli Municipality

Additionally, Minister Mendoni discussed the policies implemented by the ministry in northern Greece, which aim to not only highlight the region’s cultural heritage and promote tourism but also to create jobs.

The first initiative focuses on collaboration with universities to develop strategic plans for cultural development in the capitals of the regional units within the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

“In the case of Evros, we are actively working in Alexandroupolis and Soufli,” said Mendoni. “Our goal is to develop new tools for these areas that will be utilized by all institutions, including local authorities that define policy and undertake cultural projects.”

The second initiative involves supporting local arts and crafts. Minister Mendoni noted that the ministry has collaborated with universities on these projects over the past five years.

“We aim to establish two weaving facilities by the end of 2025, one in Alexandroupolis and another in Didymoticho, to support the efforts of local communities,” the Greek Culture Minister stated.