The Greek island of Mykonos is known and loved for its vibrant night-life and stunning beaches, but it is also home to a rich archaeological heritage. In recent years, tensions have been growing between those who want to preserve this heritage and those who prioritize tourism and economic development. These tensions came to a head recently when a Greek archaeologist was attacked on the island, highlighting the challenges of balancing conservation and economic interests in this world-famous destination. In this article, we will explore the background and context of this incident, and discuss the ongoing efforts to preserve Mykonos’ ancient treasures amidst these competing priorities.
An archaeologist was brutally attacked in Athens earlier this month as he walked towards his car. Manolis Psarros was attacked by an unknown assailant who struck him on his head with such force that he lost consciousness. When he woke up in the hospital, he had broken ribs, a broken nose, and severe bruises around his eyes. According to doctors, the wounds were indicative that he had been kicked and punched by trained professionals. The attack has sent shockwaves across Greece with police investigating the incident and the focus of inquiry falling on Mykonos, the most famous party island in Europe. Mykonos has been at the center of a building frenzy, putting the archaeological service in a war zone with developers.
For a decade, Manolis Psarros has been heading the department that issues construction permits on the Aegean hotspot, which has increasingly turned gargantuan profits. However, the brutal attack on him has exposed a darker side of the island, where interests have hijacked rocky outcropped beyond the reach of central government and the long arm of the law. Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis convened a meeting of senior cabinet ministers to discuss the matter, and officials are describing Mykonos as a “state within a state.” In response, authorities are enforcing public order measures, and the first of 100 extra security personnel including police officers, financial crime investigators, environment, and building inspectors are expected to arrive soon.
Mykonos is one of Greece’s most visited destinations and is accounting for 25% of the country’s GDP, a significant contributor to the Greek economy. However, the concerns of archaeologists who have to navigate a notoriously slow-moving bureaucracy to preserve Greece’s cultural heritage, matter little to the investors. Fines slapped on offenders for building villas, hotels, and beach bars close to or on ancient sites, “are nothing” compared with the profits to be made, locals say. In recent years investors from the Middle East have moved in, announcing controversial plans to construct a tourist village with a port capable of mooring superyachts.
According to Despoina Koutsoumba, the head of the Association of Greek Archaeologists, time is of the essence. Last week, a colleague on Mykonos also received threatening text messages. Koutsoumba says that if the government means what it says, it must start demolishing illegal buildings. She believes that an example needs to be set, and it needs to be set now. Otherwise, the situation will get out of control.
Greece’s community of archaeologists is small and dedicated to excavating and researching the nation’s extraordinary historical legacy. However, with the dramatic comeback of tourism post-COVID, the balancing act is delicate. While acknowledging the need for visitors, the authorities must also preserve the natural beauty that attracts them to the country. Mykonos’s mayor, Konstantinos Koukas, wants the state to be an ally in protecting the island. He wants the mechanisms of control to be bolstered and any threats against state employees like Manolis Psarros to be stopped. According to Koukas, what has happened to Manolis Psarros could happen to anyone. Jane Cowan of the Guardian reported this story.
