Alkiviadis Prepis
Alkiviadis Prepis studied Architecture in the National Technical University of Athens (1976) and defended his PhD Thesis “Research on medieval architectural monuments in Melenikos” in the Sofia Polytechnic University, Bulgaria (1988). Professor Emeritus of History of Architecture / Restoration – Redesign - Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and Sites, in the Department of Architecture, Polytechnic School, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece. ICOMOS advisor for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Council of Europe expert for the Balkan Monuments. Scientific missions in S-E Europe, Portugal, Egypt, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia. Honorary Professor at the Kazan State University of Architecture and Engineering. Studies for the protection, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings, Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches and traditional settlements.
Postal address: 30A, Kyniskas Str., TK 116 36, Athens, GREECE
E-mail: alkisprepis@gmail.com
Postal address: 30A, Kyniskas Str., TK 116 36, Athens, GREECE
E-mail: alkisprepis@gmail.com
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Assessments to UNESCO World Heritage properties by Alkiviadis Prepis
Ani is located in the northeast of Turkey, 42 km from the city of Kars, on 85 hectares secluded triangular plateau overlooking a ravine that forms the natural border with Armenia. This medieval city that was once one of the cultural and commercial centres on the Silk Road, where it passes into Anatolia from the Caucasus, is characterized by architecture that combines a variety of domestic, religious and military structures, creating a panorama of medieval urbanism built up over the centuries by successive Christian and Muslim dynasties. The Citadel, the medieval settlement with its monuments surrounded by the city walls, and the rock-cut dwellings and monuments outside the city walls have been nominated for inscription.
Criteria under which property is nominated: ii, iii, iv, v
Technical Assessments - Balkan Cultural Monuments by Alkiviadis Prepis
Ani is located in the northeast of Turkey, 42 km from the city of Kars, on 85 hectares secluded triangular plateau overlooking a ravine that forms the natural border with Armenia. This medieval city that was once one of the cultural and commercial centres on the Silk Road, where it passes into Anatolia from the Caucasus, is characterized by architecture that combines a variety of domestic, religious and military structures, creating a panorama of medieval urbanism built up over the centuries by successive Christian and Muslim dynasties. The Citadel, the medieval settlement with its monuments surrounded by the city walls, and the rock-cut dwellings and monuments outside the city walls have been nominated for inscription.
Criteria under which property is nominated: ii, iii, iv, v
Architecture and Art in the Balkans During the Ottoman Times - Organized as a national-crossover overview, this study of Christian architectures in the Balkans aims at defining their common features. Their history evolved in two phases: the “resistance, mediations and adaptations” (16th-17th c.), and the “birth of eclectisms and new specificities” (18th-19th c.). The author examines Christian art -most specifically churches – in the light of broad artistic trends in Europe at the same time.
2. The World Heritage Convention links together in a single document the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties. It constitutes a condition of obligation for preservation not only for the member state but for all the signatories to the World Heritage Convention. Sites inscribed benefit from the elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive management plan that sets out adequate preservation measures and monitoring mechanisms. Experts offer technical training to the local site management team. The inscription brings an increase in public awareness of the site and of its outstanding values, thus tourist activities well planned for and organized respecting sustainable tourism principles, can bring important funds to the site and to the local economy.
3. The future of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, as well as of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will depend heavily on the decisions and actions of the new generation that in the coming years will be the leaders and those who will have a decisive opinion.
4. The ultimate goal of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme (1994) is to acquaint the younger generation with the values of the World Heritage, to inspire and strengthen their will to preserve it, and to help bridge the gap between school and society by offering actions to strengthen socialization process of the child. Developed in 1998, the World Heritage in Young Hands Educational Resource Kit for secondary school teachers is one of the main tools of the World Heritage Education Programme. It aims to sensitize young people to the importance of preserving their local, national and world heritage.
The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) links educational institutions across the world around a common goal: to build the defenses of peace in the minds of children and young people. The over 11,500 ASPnet member schools in 182 countries work in support of international understanding, peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice.
The wandering in sculptor’s Andreas Papachristou (1937-2019) creation world - a child of the refugee of the civil war in Greece, who grew up and became an artist in Hungary - impresses with the multitude of forms, the power of his abstract imagination, the deep sense of his relationship with Greece and the dynamics of modernism. The rich collection of Isidora Passalidou - a journey mainly through the female figure in the lonely world of the artist's emotions – succeeds to make us companions in his personal spiritual and sensual symposium.
The postwar peace policy imposed by the United Nations considered the restoration / reconstruction of religious monuments as a condition sine qua non for the consolidation of peaceful coexistence in the region. Recognition of "cultural diversity" means respecting the contribution of all historical periods, of every culture and religion, including those who are a minority in a country. However, “interpretation” and rehabilitation of historic monuments altered substantially their history.
Today the architectural heritage of the past is not considered a dead remnant to be artificially maintained, but is attempted to be integrated into modern city through a dynamic process, as essential factor of local development and for improving living conditions of residents. The historical monument is considered an important factor in the identity of the local people, which can contribute to the homogenization of multicultural societies and to achievement of social peace.
The old Gas-works of Athens was installed in 1857 by a French company, modeled on those of the great European urban centres, in order to illuminate and modernize the city. Not only are the technical characteristics of the works described in this article (in the four main phases of development between 1862 and 1983, the year in which the gas-works closed) but also the architectural aspects of the various structures. The project of restoration and re-use aims to safeguard the historical identity of the works and at the same time to develop an articulated cultural centre grouping together an industrial and technological museum, ateliers for teaching science and technology and areas for various recreation activities (restaurants, concerts, conferences, art exhibitions and further exhibition space). The new complex should represent the focal point of an industrial zone close to the city centre.
In Bologna, too, research is being conducted on the old gas-works. It is hoped that a model will be constructed with moving parts to represent the most important sectors of the plant (see R. Curti, The Bologna Gas-Works in the Forties and Fifties, p.21).