Kytherian Association of Australia



                                             24 King Street, Rockdale NSW, Australia 2216

Protocol Number: 28111                                    28 November 2011

1.   Prime Minister’s Office (pressoffice@primeminister.gr)
2.   Γραφείο Υπουργού Πολιτισμού και Τουρισμού (minoff@culture.gr)
3.   Γενική Διεύθυνση Διοικητικής Υποστήριξης (dd@culture.gr) (υπόψη προϊσταμένης Μαρίας Παναγοπούλου)
4.   Androulla Vassiliou, Member of the European Commission, Education, Culture, Multilingualism and  Youth (adroulla.vassiliou@ec.europa.eu)
5.   Αποστολάτος Βαΐτσης (v.apostolatos@parliament.gr)
Κοινοποίηση
1. Δήμος Κυθήρων (kythira@otenet.gr)
2. Κ.Ι.Π.Α. (kipak@otenet.gr)
3. Κυθηραϊκά (editor@kythiraika.gr)
4. Κυθηραϊσμός (info@kytheraismos.gr)
5. Κυθέρεια (kythereiapaper@gmail.com)

Subject: Archaeologist Mr Aris Tsaravopoulos, Kytherian Archaeology & Antiquites

Dear Sir/Madam,

  We have been advised that archaeologist Aris Tsaravopoulos from the 26th Ephorate of Classical and Prehistoric Antiquities may be forced into early retirement.

  This is of great concern to us as a group representing 65,000 people in Australia of Kytherian descent because of the valuable contribution and more than 20 years of practical expertise in Kythera and Antikythera which Mr Tsaravopoulos has brought to the community.

  He has more experience and knowledge regarding archaeology and antiquities in Kythera and Antikythera than anyone else in the world.

  For the last two years we have been working with Mr Tsaravopoulos in community outreach, which has created a great deal of interest in history and archaeology in Kythera, not only on the island but from the Kytherian Diaspora around the world, particularly Australia.

  Mr Tsaravopoulos’ activities have also started to help Kythera economically, with education about the island’s ancient history being one of the motivations for second and third generation Kytherian-Australians seeking to visit.

  Because of the importance in promoting Kythera and the salvage of our cultural heritage we have financially supported rescue excavations by Mr Tsaravopoulos in Kythera and a systematic excavation in Antikythera for the last two years.

  The Kytherian Association of Australia has been vocal in its backing of initiatives on the island whilst the Kytherian Research Group was basically founded to support such activities, financially, logistically, with education, communication, an in other ways.

  After successfully supporting Mr Tsaravopoulos in undertaking land excavations, the Kytherian Research Group then went on to work with Dr. Kourkoumelis from the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities in facilitating the excavations of the Mentor shipwreck, that sank off Kythera carrying Parthenon Sculptures. This undertaking was inspired by Mr Tsaravopoulos.

  Due to the importance in continuity of such activities, our request is to allow Mr Tsaravopoloulos to retain responsibility for archaeology in Kythera and Antikythera until his 35 years of service are up. This will help avoid a negative impact on the cultural development of the two islands, allowing enough time for his knowledge to be passed onto others. It would also mean that the interest which his work on the islands has attracted will continue to draw people and tourists from the Diaspora, which will help the local economy.

  An abrupt exit by Mr Tsaravopoulos would create a potential void for the research and investigation and recording of cultural antiquities in Kythera and Antikythera.

  In summary, we respectfully request that the decision for Mr Tsaravopoulos to be put into pre-retirement availability be revoked and that he be permitted to continue to provide his invaluable services on the two islands as a representative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

  We also understand that Mr Tsaravopoulos has offered to continue working for the Ministry of Culture at a reduced wage under the new proposed “reserve” (εφεδρεία).

  Mr Tsaravopoulos’ contribution is so important that our community is prepared to supplement his reduced government salary from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism so that he can continue the excellent work he does in Kythera and Antikythera for his remaining two years, before full retirement.

Yours faithfully

George Vardas                                              John Fardoulis
Cultural Officer                                             Special Projects Officer
Kytherian Associaton of Australia       Kytherian Association of Australia &
                                                                      Founder, Kytherian Research Group