Save and Restore Ancient Diolkos
Target:
Sign the Petition Here!
General information (not part of the petition):
The Diolkos, the unique paved way of 600 B.C. which made possible transportation of entire fleets overland across the Isthmus of Corinth, is crumbling into the water at its western end.
After the excavation (~1960), great part of the monument was left at the mercy of its position near the Corinth Canal (itself a property of the Greek State).
Although seemingly wishing the monument's protection, for years the services of the Greek Ministry of Culture kept themselves TOTALLY UNPREPARED to protect Diolkos. Rescue actions continued to be denied even when the erosion had left considerable portions of this registered archaeological site in a state of demolition!
Recent investigations by Justice Authorities and world-wide ridicule (see for example link to a 2008 BBC coverage below), have induced the Ministry to promises for protection. Some partial temporary interventions in the first months of 2009, are however the only REAL work done so far. (See photo at: http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3867/diolkos2009s.jpg) .
Although the Ministry declares since 2007 to be following a decision for IMMEDIATE salvage actions, no other work has been done!
The large exposed section of the monument continues to be violently attacked, while the erosion also approaches a large part of Diolkos from the side. (Updated March. 25, 2010).
With Diolkos' decay going on, our petition is:
We declare ourselves against the mentalities and practices that lead to the destruction of the world's heritage and we ask the Greek Prime Minister to exercise his authority so that, without any further delays and hypocrisy, the Diolkos is finally saved and restored.
Notes:
More info and images in greek at:
http://www.in.gr/Reviews/imagegallery.asp?lngReviewID=1667&lngChapterID=70039&lngItemID=57977
- in english (not updated): http://euroheritage.net/diolkos.shtml
- 2008 BBC video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7479805.stm
- 2009 and 2010 videos at: www.youtube.com/user/sofiagreek
- Facebook group: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10046110469#!/group.php?gid=10046110469
On EUROPA NOSTRA: www.europanostra.org/read--amp--share/57/
The goal of 7,000 signatures is arbitrary. Pressure is being exercised ALL ALONG...
This petition has already been signed by concerned citizens from 105 countries:
Greece, Cyprus, USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Luxemburg, Austria, France, Andorra, Spain, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, Brazil, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Ireland, Iceland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Albania, Serbia & Montenegro, Japan, Taiwan, China, Repubic of Korea, Hong Kong, Macao, South Africa, Philippines, Liberia, Ghana, Cape Verde, Senegal, Togo, Nigeria, Democratic Republic Of The Congo, New Zealand, Fiji, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Aruba, Chile, Maldives, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Seychelles, Philippines, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Iran, Iraq
WARMEST THANKS TO ALL!!!
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