The next steps to be taken after the inclusion of Zagori in the UNESCO list of cultural landscapes were examined in a meeting held in the Region of Epirus, between the Minister of Culture Mr. Linas Mendonis, the Regional Governor Mr. Alexandros Kahrimanis, the Mayor of Zagori and Georgios Soukouvelos and service agents.
One of the obligations that must be fulfilled is the creation of an office, which will be housed in the Paschalio School in Kapesovo, followed by the creation of an information platform and the organization of a central event – the celebration of Zagori’s inclusion in the Unesco monuments next May.
In statements, after the completion of the meeting, the Regional Governor Mr. Al. Kahrimanis stated: “We discussed the obligations we have from now on to put things in order, as we have worked until today. As we have said, we are not only for the celebrations, we are also for the work, which requires consistency and we will do it. I want to thank the Minister for all the issues we have collaborated on. Because we provide solutions to issues that have been stagnant for many years. One of them was the Mosque in Kaloussiani, which you are working on. It is the Castle of Caiaphas, Imaret in Arta. There are a thousand and two things we are working on and thank you very much.”
For her part, the Minister of Culture, Ms. L. Mendoni stated among other things: “It is a series of steps that must be taken so that in December 2024 we have met these obligations. One of them and the most important is the creation of an institution, an office at the Paschalio School that has both a symbolic and emotional charge. From there on, the conditions set by the Unesco, for example a platform, which will operate open and accessible to the whole world on an international level. The first big next step is the celebration, in the presence of its executives Unesco and the official declaration of Zagori as a Monument of its Catalog Unesco next May. […] What I would like to say and for everyone to realize is that the Municipality of Zagori is the first Municipality in the territory that is whole Unesco. We have monuments in at least 18 other municipalities Unesco. Here we have the entire Municipality Monument Unesco. And this is a huge honor, a huge success of the country, of Epirus, but it is also a very big responsibility for the Municipality and the Mayor who today represents all the settlements and villages of Zagori”.
In his statements, the Mayor of ZagorioMr. Georgios Soukouvelos expressed his satisfaction with the actions launched in collaboration with the involved agencies. “I am very happy. Indeed, Zagori is changing its course today”he emphasized, adding that the meeting with the Minister was very good, in which the timetable for what needs to be done by May 24 when the event will take place.
