Online Book Presentation "Eleftherna" | The "Museums Cycle” series

Lamda Development and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation present “Eleftherna"

• “Eleutherna” is the 19th edition of “The Museums Cycle” series, dedicated to the archaeological site of Eleutherna in Rethymnon, Crete.
• The book has been published by OLKOS Publishers, with the support of Lamda Development and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation

Lamda Development and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation presented today, at a digital event, the nineteenth edition of “The Museums Cycle” series, dedicated to the archaeological site and excavations at Eleutherna, continuing the tour of Greece’s museums and contributing, once again, to the promotion of the Greek cultural heritage.

The “Eleutherna” commemorative volume, edited by Professor Nikolaos Chr. Stampolidis, seeks to accompany readers on a trip to a Cretan city of great importance in ancient times and continuity over time from the dawn of Hellenic Civilization to the Byzantine era. The purpose of this volume is to provide material for discussion and further study by specialists, as well as to impart to the broader audience the cultural knowledge emerged through the excavation research. Apart from the important excavation work, the volume showcases the actions made for the creation of a large archaeological park and of the first ever museum within an archaeological site in Crete.

In her address, the Minister of Culture and Sports Ms. Lina Mendoni stated:

“Continuing their precious long-standing and manifold contribution to the cultural heritage of Hellenism, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and Lamda Development enrich with the nineteenth volume the emblematic series ‘The Museums cycle’. A distillate of this knowledge for scholars and researchers, and at the same time a valuable guide and companion for every visitor to the archaeological site and museum of Eleutherna, who is eager to learn and aware of its importance, is offered in this luxurious and superbly produced publication. Warmest thanks are due also to the author of the volume and one of the excavators of Eleutherna Professor Nikolaos Chr. Stampolidis, an exceptionally prominent and gifted personality in the Archaelogy and Culture of Greece, but also on the international stage, with profound and impeccable scholarship, boundless energy, but also rare sensitivity and lyricism of expression. in the book in hand, yet again he succeeds in his own special and distinctive way in transmitting to the reader not only his deep knowledge and accumulated experience, acquired over decades of investigations at Eleutherna, but also his sincere love of the place and its people, throughout its history.”

The author, Professor Nikolaos Chr. Stampolidis, stressed that: 

“As easy as it may be to say ‘I love,’ it’s twice as hard to act on it. Because that requires persistence, patience, endurance, and a state of mind, heart, and body; and every single time each one to prevail over the others. So that, at the end of the day, you have proof of your love. When you must deal with all kinds of difficulties: the sun, the sweat, the dust, the tension, the need to secure resources, the bureaucracy... followed by the documentation, the verification, the preservation, the protection, the emergence… tο see a mythical place being materialized in your own hands and those of your partners, your students, to make your vision come true, realizing that all your actions, everything that you have done is not yours, it does not belong to you, it is not for you, but rather it is a gift to everyone. This is my proof of love for ancient Eleutherna, the creation of an archaeological site and its museum, that is, a public good. An epitome of this is included in the nineteenth edition of “The Museums Cycle” series, which started back in 1997 by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and continues today with Lamda Development on board; a book that will be forever.”

Mr. Evangelos Chronis, Executive Board Member of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and Vice-President at Lamda Development noted that: 

“Presenting the volume on ancient Eleutherna, added to ‘The Museums Cycle’ series, is a significant occasion and opportunity to introduce a very important Cretan city and the archaeological findings that came to light over 36 years of systematic and thorough excavations conducted by the University of Crete. With this edition, we introduce Eleutherna to the public, and present the large archaeological park and the museum within the archeological site, as well as various other exhibits, in a scientific and aesthetically appealing manner, while inviting the reader to think and approach human issues of artistic importance untouched by time. This is the most recent addition to ‘The Museums Cycle’ series, one of the longest-running publishing programs of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation aiming at promoting Greece’s cultural heritage, with Lamda Development on board this year as a partner. Let us note that the initiative for our publishing program was first taken by the late John Latsis, back in 1994, with titles such as “Greek Thalassography”, “A Voyage from Athens to Istanbul” by Louis Dupré, and “Nikolaos Gyzis.”

The “Eleutherna” volume will be distributed free of charge to archaeology departments of universities in Greece and abroad, to the competent departments and directorates of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, to foreign archaeology schools and institutes, as well as to select local and international libraries and organizations. The recipients list includes the world’s most important universities such as Oxford University, the Sorbonne, and Princeton University, important museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of New York, the Louvre, and the Hermitage, international organizations such as UNESCO, and national libraries.

The digital version of the volume is available in Greek and English in the e-Library of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and on Lamda Development’s website.

The 328-page “Eleutherna” volume was published under the supervision of Ms. Eirini Louvrou of Olkos Publishers, photography by Mr. Sokratis Mavrommatis, artistic direction and image editing by Ms. Eliza Kokkini and Mr. Nikos Lagos from Indigo Graphics. Copy editing was made by Mr. Pantelis Boukalas, printing by Mr. Dimitris Kadianakis of Fotolio, and the bookbinding by Mr. George Iliopoulos. The book was translated in English by Ms. Alexandra Doumas.

Footage from the digital presentation event of the book "Eleftherna" is available here.

About John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation

The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2005 with the purpose of continuing the late John S. Latsis’ philanthropic legacy in social growth, with special emphasis on his country, Greece. Since its establishment, the Foundation operates with the aim of better addressing contemporary social issues and challenges, through actions that contribute to the creation of a modern, fair, and open society. To this end, the Foundation plans and manages its own programs and funds initiatives adopted by non-profit organizations that cover a broad range of fields, such as education, science, arts and culture, social welfare, and community development. The Foundation cooperates closely with civil society partners and key players in these areas, with the aim of maximizing the social impact of its activity. 

About Lamda Development

Lamda Development S.A., listed on the main market of the Athens Exchange, is a holding company specializing in the development, investment, and management of real estate. The company is the leader in the Retail Real Estate sector in Greece with successful diversification in the office and residential sectors. The company’s development portfolio includes: three commercial and leisure centers, The Mall Athens and Golden Hall in Athens and Mediterranean Cosmos in Thessaloniki (total GLA 157.000 sq.m.), office buildings, innovative residential complexes, and Flisvos Marina in Faliro. In 2014, Lamda signed the contract with the Greek state for the acquisition of the shares of the “Hellinikon SA”. The project’s purpose is a full range urban redevelopment of the former international airport area, which will be the largest private investment ever made in Greece.