“The link between research, culture and tourism is among the plans of the the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Research and Technology”, as the Deputy Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis stated in an interview to “In-On” magazine
Question: What is the relationship between technology and culture and what is the design of the two ministries (Ministry of Science and Technology – Ministry of Culture)?
Answer: Since the policy statements of our government, I have noted that we perceive culture not only as the cornerstone of self-consciousness, but also as product of symbolic and material wealth. And for this concept to be established, the utilization of modern technological tools becomes necessary.
My service in the Ministry of Culture started with a basic announcement – challenge: the reconstruction of Archaeological Resources Fund. This commitment is already being implemented as since the end of June the introduction of e-ticketing gradually begins which will help a lot to pre buy tickets from anywhere, better plan monuments and archaeological sites and of course the visitors themselves. It will also offer greater transparency in ticket checking, direct deduction of statistics and thus the possibility of an improved strategy to promote our cultural heritage in the near future.
The second policy we implement is the reform of the Archaeological Resources Fund through digitization of the publications, renewing the vendors, modernization of the selling spots along with the creation of an e-shop. I believe that in no time the above services will be used. At the same time, the implementation of two major projects continues which are ultimately related to the drafting of a National Monuments Record. This will include both movable and immovable monuments. Also, the project “Archaeological Lands” and that of the “Enrichment of the Digital Collections of Monuments Securities of the Ministry of Culture and the Development of a new Information System for the National Monuments Record” are in progress.
These two large interventions will radically change the way we perceive the management of our cultural heritage.
By enriching the digital collections about 500,000 objects will be recorded, documented and digitized It is a start. Proper infrastructure will allow the introduction of new Monuments Securities so that the citizens can order photographs of antiquities, prepare work, make out reports or do simple or advanced searches of antiques etc from their home, their workplace, the library or university auditoriums.
In the case of the “Archaeological Lands”, the Integrated Information System has almost been completed (we are in the receiving phase). Furthermore, the Internet portal, will provide useful information to citizens – users such as the location of an archaeological site as well as issues that have to do with the limits of the protection zone etc.
Simultaneously, dozens of digitization projects are realized in museums (such as the Byzantine and Christian or the New Museum of Patras) as well as in Antiquities, which will decisively contribute to a faster transition of the Department of Culture into the digital era. In this way, we attempt the systematic and universal protection of our cultural heritage, Additionally, we are making our cultural heritage accessible to the citizens and especially to the generations of social networking and the Internet and also we implement digital government services. We already prepare the new website of the Ministry of Culture which will come out very soon while using our own means we process similar programs for the regulated bodies of the Ministry. Finally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology we work together to design the National Strategy for Innovation while at the same time we design a special initiative under the new National Strategic Reference Framework, which aims to promote joint axes in policy and in developmental objectives within the framework of these particularly important and complementary intervention areas for the two ministries. These areas indicatively concern:
• the reinforcement of research infrastructure that produces support technologies of the archaeological research and the dissemination of their results to bodies-users of the Ministry of Culture
• the networking of research centers with companies of creative and cultural industry in order to produce high value-added products and services that will enhance the profile of cultural heritage along with contemporary cultural creation and production
• the strengthening of production and the dissemination of actions of digital cultural content along with computer applications oriented to the final user-visitor of museums, collections and cultural spaces
• the reinforcement of educational actions which prepares executives for the cultural institutions focusing on new technologies and innovative processes. Training activities for the general public by using new technologies are also important
• The link of research with the fields of culture and tourism
In general, the fields of research and culture are characterized by high complementarity and can radically support the competitiveness of the cultural product, show cultural heritage in a dynamic way along with contemporary creation attractively and finally create jobs for young scientists and so as to help the employment of the country’s scientific resources that unfortunately due to the crisis have turned to immigration”.
Curriculum Vitae
Nikos Xydakis Deputy Minister of Culture was born in 1958 in Piraeus. He comes from Mykonos. He completed his secondary education in Piraeus and in Ermoupolis, Syros. He studied graphic arts (Technological Educational Institute, Athens, 1976-1977), however,without completing these studies. He graduated from the Dental School of the University of Athens (1984). He had postgraduate studies regarding the History of Art at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Athens (1999-2004).
In the 80s, he worked as an editor. Since 1987,he works as a journalist. He has collaborated with numerous magazines and newspapers, as an author, as a book and art work reviewer, as a publishing consultant, as an editor and a publisher.
Examples: Babel, Contemporary Issues, Citizen, Odos Panos (Panos Str), Ek paradromis (Accidentally), Chaos, Woman, Postman, Elle, Madame Figaro, Athenorama First, 01 p/p 902, Seven-X TV, Politis newspaper (Nicosia), Difono, Photographer, Entefktirio (Lounge).
He participated in the founding team of the magazine “Symptom” released by the Dental Student Group (1979-1982). He participated in the editorial team and also directed the newspaper “Mykoniatiki” (1988-2001). He participated as a columnist in the founding team of the newspaper “Epoch’’ (1988-1992).
Since 1992, he has worked in “Kathimerini” newspaper. In 1999, he became the chief of culture of the Sunday edition and since December 2003 he has been the newspaper editor. Essays and short stories have been published in many books, conference proceedings and exhibition catalogs. He has taken care of the following exhibitions: “All Fashioned: Painting in Greece today” (2002, Larissa, Thessaloniki) and “Report to Gizis” (2004, Tinos).
He has been honored by Botsis Foundation with the Prize of the Greek Parliament as the political columnist of the Year (2009). He is a member of ESIEA (Journalists’ Union of Athens Daily Newspapers). He is member of AICA-Hellas (International Association of Greek Art Critics): 2002-2005, Secretary General of the Board of the Company, in 2007-2009 he was a member of the Board.
In 1998, he was nominated city councilor in Mykonos supported by Mykonos Citizens’ Movement.
In 2000, he was candidate MP of Cyclades collaborating with the Left. In 2014, he was nominated Member of the European Parliament with the political party of SYRIZA.
In 2015, he was elected under he political party of SYRIZA in the second division of Athens.