Environment and Culture 2008/9
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The tree of life in four seasons in four of life The tree Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Directorate of Museums, Exhibitions and Educational Programs Department of Educational Programs and Communication Environment and Culture 2008/9 ISBN: 978-960-214-881-5 Copyright ©Ministry of Culture and Tourism 2009 Athens, 2009 Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Directorate of Museums, Exhibitions and Educational Programs Department of Educational Programs and Communication Environment and Culture 2008/9 Editors: Stella Chryssoulaki, Alexandra Seleli Illustrations: Alexandra Seleli Translation: Elisabeth Founten Evaluation of the National Campaign of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism ‘Environment and Culture – The tree of life in four seasons’ 2008/9: translation by the authors Page layout – Photo Editing: En Plo Editions Printing and finishing: Lyhnia S.A. Contents Environment and Culture 2008/9 – ‘The tree of life in four seasons’ ..............................................................................9 Intoduction… ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Evaluation of the National Campaign of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism ‘Environment and Culture – The tree of life in four seasons’ 2008-9 ........................................................................... 24 Olive tree ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Cypress tree ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 52 Palm tree ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Oak tree ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 76 Plane tree ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 88 Vine grape ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 96 Laurel, myrtle and chaste tree .........................................................................................................................................................102 Fig tree, apple tree, pomegranate tree, lemon tree ...............................................................................................................110 The trunk, the branches, the fruits ................................................................................................................................................118 Sacred trees ...............................................................................................................................................................................................130 The tree between life and death ....................................................................................................................................................142 The tree between present and future ..........................................................................................................................................150 The guardians of the tree ..................................................................................................................................................................162 Floral decoration ...................................................................................................................................................................................172 The tree as a landmark .......................................................................................................................................................................182 The gardens of Paradise ....................................................................................................................................................................198 The vulnerable tree ...............................................................................................................................................................................210 Wood ............................................................................................................................................................................................................218 Historic trees and gardens ...............................................................................................................................................................230 Trees of the world .................................................................................................................................................................................254 Participation in the National Campaign ‘The tree of life in four seasons’ 2008/9 ...............................................264 Environment and Culture 2008/9 ‘The tree of life in four seasons’ In Greece, devastating fires cause severe damage to our forests and mar our summers. Faced with events that fill us with pain and anger, we felt the need to formulate an answer, express an opinion, propose a solution. It was from this context that the idea arose to launch a campaign on a national level, under the title ‘Environment and Culture’. In the heart of this initiative lies the belief that in Greece the two notions are intimately related, forming two facets of a single cause. How often when visiting an archaeological site do we find ourselves admiring the natural setting of human accomplishments? And in this country’s densely populated cities isn’t the protected areas around monuments that offer a priceless oasis, a breath of fresh air to inhabitants and visitors? Nature inspires artistic crea- tion; in turn, art and cultural heritage can provide an incentive for raising awareness on environmental issues and, thus, for enhancing our quality of life. Our wish is that the campaign should be repeated annually in spring, with a new theme every two years. For years 2008 and 2009 the subject we proposed was ‘The tree of life in four seasons’. The symbolism of the tree, rich and multifaceted, deeply rooted in the minds of people, combines myths and religious beliefs, traditions and philosophical ideas through different eras of Greek civilization: prehistory, ancient times, byzantine period and modern Greece. These four historical periods are seen as ‘four seasons’, each one adding new branches to the trunk of the tree’s narratives, depictions and symbolic values. We addressed our invitation to all services of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as to other cultural or- ganizations, either supervisory or independent in nature. Those who choose to participate were asked to select from their collections or area of responsibility those exhibits, monuments, sites or actual trees that were relevant to the subject and mark them with a uniform logo. We then addressed an invitation to the public: to celebrate the arrival of spring and to visit these places, not only interesting but also beautiful, where monuments harmoniously coexist with nature. Entrance was free to all public museums and sites which took part to the campaign. During the days of celebration, in the entire country, organizers and visitors explored the subject and contemplated the tree in its countless variations: in painting, sculpture, or decorative arts, on important monuments and on objects of everyday use, in myths, cults and traditions or in association with historical events. From all these activities the tree emerged as a treasured companion in human life and a source of inspiration for art; an expression of fertility powers and a symbol of eternal rebirth; a sacred presence with magical qualities, but also a part of Nature under threat. Assessing the project, we value as a positive step forward that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism offered its own perspective and laid down its own parameters with regard to a subject of considerable public concern. Indeed, the cam- paign managed to project a unified response from the cultural sector, establishing a precious network of collaborations. We also consider a success the fact that our project drew upon the principles of contemporary museology and cul- tural management. The organization took into account issues and challenges such as proposing thematic tours and 9 interdisciplinary approaches, involving local communities, designing educational activities for schoolchildren but also for other social groups. Evaluation and feedback were carried out in every stage of the project. Through a wide range of events, we aimed at highlighting the social role of museum and cultural institutions on the one hand, and at developing their accessibility on the other. The campaign ‘Environment