When citizens interested create culture.
The ancient theater Aharnon definitely showed patience until affectionately by the Greek light and perseverance to "become" a desire to have a place among similar findings. Eventually the ancient theatre of Acharnes slowly reveals his size, his past ...
The ancient theatre of Acharnes was found in February 2007 accidentally in a building foundation work, which was then Salaminos street, now renamed Ancient theatre street in the urban site of municipality of Acharnes by archaeologist Maria Platonos Giota. It received global interest due to the great historical, archaeological, social and cultural importance.
The existence of the theatre is indicated by two important inscriptions of the second half of the 4th century B.C.
A votive inscription reports the income from renting the theatre for private tragedy or comedy performances, the money of which was used for the religious needs of the municipality. The second inscription bearing two decrees was used as a tube cover and was found in 1987 by Mrs Maria Platonos in the excavation of a Roman bath in close proximity to the point of the site of the theatre.
The so far excavations have brought to light an entire kerkis (cuneus) 5 m. wide at their west section and 22 m. wide at their east section with 11 rows of limostone blocks in semi-circular arrangement that had apparently been transferred from a local stone quarry.
Also a small part of another kerkis has been excavated to the north of the first one which probably continues intact, as Mrs Platonos believes, under the foundation of the new building. A small part of the orchestra was also revealed at a depth of 2.3 m.
It is obvious that the rest of the Koilon, the parodoi (passageways), the orchestra and the scene building are to be found under the building to the north and down the road.
It is hoped that they will be revealed as soon as the excavation starts again. This was left off in the summer of 2007 , but it will restart when the compulsory purchase of the nearby plots is complete (now under judicial determination ).
Keeping the initial enthusiasm and expectations, which arose from the discovery of the theatre and motivated by the association 's "DIAZOMA" – Citizens movement for the Ancient Theaters around Greece- president Mr Stavros Benos, it was established a cultural institution with the legal form of a non-profit company named "EPISKINION" -Citizens Movement for the emergence of the Ancient Theatre of Acharnes-, an entity, purely voluntary and purely non-profit, non-funded and non-sponsored with a specific cultural purpose: the promotion and protection of the Ancient Theatre of Acharnes which is of unique value, presided by Mrs. Maria Micha, honoured member of DIAZOMA.
Under no circumstances will it substitute the state or relevant government agencies, which have the legal and institutional responsibility for the complete revelation and enhancement of this archaeological treasure.
Since it was founded, EPISKINION I has been working closely with DIAZOMA. In order to achieve the purpose mentioned above, EPISKINION with its members (including archaeologist Maria Platonos Giota, the mayor of Acharnes Mr Sotiris Douros, the local folk painter Christos Tsevas, presidents of local clubs, many distinguished archaeologists including the B Prehistoric and classical Antiquities and entities such as the Mountaineering club of Acharnes and the Art club of Acharnes, with a passion for the ancient theatre and love for the city of Acharnes without personal benefit by taking a variety of actions embraced by many people.
Through these actions it is achieved the awareness of residents for culture and the multiple benefits that will accrue to the local community by using the monument to the social and economic development (tourism, industry, cultural content service).
On the other hand pressure is put on competent bodies to accelerate time-consuming bureaucratic procedures, concerning the revelation of the ancient theatre.
Since EPISKINION was founded in 2010, in cooperation with DIAZOMA and together with the effective presence in all social media, it created an electronic coin bank account which remains first nationwide in terms of citizen participation.
This, among other things, is a powerful message to the institutions which are typically responsible for the expropriation, pavement construction, excavations and restoration of the theatre that the citizens of Acharnes are active and present.
That was the reason that although our country faces an unprecedented economic crisis, because of our presence and pressures a compensation for the first plot was issued in October 2011.
That was also the cause that in May 2012 it was declared the expropriation for another three properties (including buildings), but only after the completion of their compensation the excavations can be included in ESPA programs.
Already approaching the end of a lengthy and highly bureaucratic trial phase, means that when this is over then what follows is the judicial determination of the amount of compensation to owners.
The facts so far show that the disclosure -where permitted- and use of ancient theatres takes many decades. Take the Little Theatre of Epidaurus for example. The excavations began in 1971 and the expropriations were completed last year.
There is also the ancient theatre of Delos, which, although excavations began in 1882, it hasn't been restored yet. The goal of EPISKINION through actions and supervision is to reveal the ancient theatre with no delays in the processes of revelation contrary to the adverse economic condition of our country.
EPISKINION intends to keep the theatre of Acharnes in the spotlight through actions. It conducts educational tours in other ancient theatres in Greece, informing about the theatre of Acharnes and at the same time the members of EPISKINION are getting informed about the stage of restoration and enhancement of other ancient theatres.
It has established an annual essay contest for high school students and also an annual bike ride which has a starting point to the Acharnean Gates at Kotzia square in the centre of Athens and through the vaulted Tomb and the tomb of Sophocles ends at the ancient theatre of Achanres.
There is also the adoption of the theatre by high schools and an educational program called "young archaeologist of Acharnes", which has been applied by two elementary schools. Theatrical performances are organized with the participation of distinguished professional actors and also the donation of books to the Library of the Department of Archaeology and Historical Research of Acharnes.
Finally Mrs. Aikaterini Kafi has voluntarily accepted to compose a musical play for the ancient theatre and the organizing of concerts with the voluntary participation of major Greek artists.
In addition, EPISKINION through actions and expenditures of its own posted an information sign at the site of the theatre and through pressures Salaminos street was renamed Ancient Theatre Street.
In the meantime there are actions to put information signs for the theatre at key locations. An immediate plan is to release a historical narrative for the ancient theatre of Acharnes.
The aim of EPISKINION remains, the soonest possible revelation of the theatre, to raise public awareness about the tremendous value of this monument, the production of a model culture that doesn't derive from introversion or elitism but sustained dialogue, which will lead to the effective management of the monument - that is - the archaeological evidence, the linking with the other archaeological monuments in Acharnes and the integration in the local community with sustainability rules.
EPISKINION, CITIZENS MOVEMENT FOR THE EMERGENCE OF THE ANCIENT THEATRE OF ACHARNES www.episkinion.org
A non profit entity is a citizens movement for the promotion of the ancient theatre of Acharnes, which is a monument of unique cultural value .It was found in February 2007 in the urban site of municipality of Acharnes.
Episkinion through various cultural activities so as to arouse public interest aims at the full revelation enhancement and promotion of this archaeological treasure
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Maria Platonos ''The antiquities of the Municipality of ancient Aharnon and disclosure of theater, Museum of Cycladic Art, Archaeological contributions'' Part I, page.137
www.diazoma.gr
www.episkinon.org
Scholeio.com
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