Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-12-13

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM to inaugurate 'social dialogue' on Mon.

[02] Katseli on economic measures

[03] NYC lecture on New Acropolis Museum

[01] PM to inaugurate 'social dialogue' on Mon.

Papandreou announced last week that he intends to take a series of decisions and initiatives on the difficult economic situation Greece is facing, with the first initiative being the commencement of a broad dialogue with so-called social partners in order to create what he called a grand alliance of social forces towards necessary major reforms.

The premier also asked President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias to convene a meeting of the council of political party leaders on the problem of corruption, which will take place on Tuesday chaired by the President.

[02] Katseli on economic measures

However, she warned, "if we give them one hand, the will cut off our other hand as well".

Katseli stressed that the government must implement its programme immediately. "It must materialise the measures on the basis of its commitments and incorporate them in the Stability and Growth Programme. It would be useful if the measures are announced immediately. We knew that the market does not make discount. Consequently, it is necessary to immediately boost credibility," she added.

Asked to comment on recommendations for a "freeze" of salaries, along the lines of the latest Irish model, Katseli replied that, at this time, the country's fiscal problem will not be solved, and the markets will not be convinced, with a salary freeze or reduction, not only due to the fact that the working people are not the ones who should shoulder the cost but, above all, what comes first and foremost is effectively bringing the fiscal deficit under control.

[03] NYC lecture on New Acropolis Museum

Pandermalis made a historic review of the landmarks in the search for the appropriate site for the New Acropolis Museum, the obstacles that arose along the way, the excavations that necessitated a change of plan, and the final result that he said enchanted humanity.

Speaking to a packed auditorium, which also included the Museum's architect, Bernard Tschumi, Pandermalis also outlined aspects unknown to the wider public concerning the entire course from inception of the idea of the New Acropolis Museum to the completion of the project.

Pandermalis also noted the "great advantages" of the Museum, such as the exploitation of natural light, and its roof, which functions as a "fifth facade".

The lecture was given in conjunction with the exhibition on the New Acropolis Museum running at Columbia University's Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery through December 19.

Opening just four months (October 21) after the new Acropolis Museum itself (June 20), the exhibition focuses on the building itself - its innovative architecture and the major role it plays at the nexus of Greco-Roman cultural and archaeological history, according to the organisers.

Sited to be in visual dialogue with the Acropolis, The new Acropolis Museum creates a direct association between the displayed objects and their original context. For the first time, all significant archaeological finds from the area are consolidated into one, state-of-the-art museum, highlighting the importance of the site in shaping artistic expression in Greco-Roman antiquity and its continuing influence on perceptions of Greek art. At the heart of the Wallach exhibition is an array of full-scale casts of prime examples of the sculpture that the museum was built to house, together with casts of pottery that was unearthed during excavations for its foundation. The casts, on loan from the museum in Athens, are complemented by colour photographs of the building.

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