Over 900 selected exhibits spread over 40 thematic audio guided tours in 6 languages
Completely renewed digitally says goodbye to 2023 National Archaeological Museum (EAM). Its digital upgrade, with the use of innovative IT and communication technologies, was made possible through the implementation of a very innovative program, which was included in 2021 in the NSRF 2014-2020, had a budget of 1.5 million euros, and was awarded -for the most part of- to the public. By the end of the year, the rest will have been paid.
“Today is a big day for the National Archaeological Museum. With respect for its history, with strength and militancy for the present, with an eye on tomorrow, the largest museum of the country, the museum of our national identity, is beginning to reintroduce itself to its global audience”, said the general director of EAM, Anna – Vassiliki Karapanagiotis, from the Altar Hall, where she presented the new digital program to the journalists, in the presence of the Minister of Culture Linas Mendonis.
More specifically, over 900 selected exhibits are divided into 40 thematic audio guided tours in 6 languages (Greek, English, French, German, Spanish and Italian). “To speak in modern terms, these are 40 podcasts, radio shows that tell stories about love and infidelity, war and peace, sports and holidays, women and beauty, medicine and alternative therapies, the first … computers and tablets, democracy and forms of government, travel and man’s struggle for survival, justice, transparency and accountability. Stories old but also so modern”, emphasized Mrs. Karapanagioti.
Also, as part of the program, for the first time, the history of the Museum itself is presented at the entrance, both as an architectural monument and a continuous evolution through historical events, archaeological discoveries and personalities who supported and served it. “Upon entering the Museum, the visitor can either purchase a portable audio tour device or use their own mobile phone for this purpose. Targeted guided tours of sign language, activities for the visually impaired, supported by flexible Braille labels with a tour code, and touch of selected authentic exhibits are provided for special audience units – exhibits that our conservators, the relevant department, have allowed us to let’s give it to the public”, informed the general director of EAM, emphasized to APE BEE.
In addition, small, distinctive signage is displayed for the first time in each room, offering clues to the exhibition’s themes. A short audio tour of the content of each room, an icon indicating the time of visit to it, as well as navigation icons for the rooms and other important points of the museum, complete the visitor’s experience, while an interactive application at the entrance and exit of the Museum it concerns, among other things, the sending of e-cards, which allows visitors to send their cards to acquaintances and friends in real time.
“With the aim of creating a basis for a visit, with a physical presence, an application was installed, which allows the virtual audience to obtain a first remote image of the exhibits, to be informed of the time required for the actual visit, to organize it as they like, thus creating his own program, choosing the works he wants to see in person”, noted Ms. Karapanagioti, who also informed about the new live streaming channel that the Museum is acquiring for the first time, giving the opportunity for remote audience participation in the activities of EAM.
“With the above infrastructure, we also implement distance education programs in remote areas of the country, as well as in the diaspora. Also, a gigantic project was implemented to protect and digitize the great, unique photographic archive of the Museum which includes, among other things, the entire history of Athens in the late 19th and early 20th centuries … Through this holistic program, the EAM contributes in his own way to today’s Greece. Expect an experiential visit for everyone. But our stories don’t end here”, concluded the general director of the museum emphatically.
“Museums are by no means focused only on the past. And I’m talking about the archaeological public museums. They are living organisms that develop and evolve alongside and together with the society to which they belong and which they serve. That is why they must be universal, open, accessible, welcoming, inspiring and educating the public, evoking emotions and empathy as well as spreading knowledge, but addressing the mind as well as the soul”, said the Minister of Culture, among other things Lina Mendoni, after the presentation of the program.
“This is a project that not only leads the EAM to the digital age, but ensures universal accessibility, whether we are talking about people with disabilities or everyone who wants to see Greek culture in its biggest ark internationally or even participate in the its educational programs. Now with the way the specific program has been developed, all of this is accessible to the international public”, pointed out the minister, who on this occasion also referred to the 5 large public museums that were converted into NPDD, including the EAM.
“Our goal is for them to be able to address society better, to manage themselves, because only they know their real needs, in the right way, and to perform their social role to the maximum. And I will give one and only example. Because when we said that museums as NPDD gain administrative and financial independence, many said “don’t let this happen and what does that mean”. I’ll tell you just one number. The EAM in its 2024 budget already starts with an action base of €4.5 million, an amount never before available to it. The salaries of the staff, everything that should be covered by the public, is covered by the YPPO, but suddenly the museum has its own budget to manage. And it is not a little a base of 4.5 million euros, which is increasing for its programming in 2024. This alone says a lot about our political choices”, pointed out, among others, L. Mendoni.
More information about all the digital services provided and the museum’s current actions and events at the four new Information Stations within EAM, as well as on the sub-site (ds.namuseum.gr), operating as part of the official website www.namuseum.gr. All new digital programs are provided free of charge.
