Vima 06/17/2007 translation 1 Lyric Theater, Library, Park: The Cultural Triangle A suggestion, a donation, and the nation’s cultural history turns a page. Earlier last month the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) formalized its commitment to funding three major cultural projects in the Faliron Delta: construction of the National Library, the National Lyric Theater and the Educational and Cultural Park. In this interview Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos, member of the SNF Board of Directors, discusses the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s donation, the challenges facing the project, and how it will be implemented. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s initiative, officially announced last Monday after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greek State to construct and equip the National Library and the National Lyric Theater at the Old Hippodrome site, is more than a mere financial offer. It gives new life and momentum to the two establishments. Under the terms of the Memorandum, after the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has equipped the institutions, the Greek State will assume responsibility for them and will own the considerable task of fully realizing their potential. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is an organization that has no business or investment activity in Greece, even though it has contributed much in social welfare and grantmaking for 11 years, in Greece and abroad. However, although major donations have been implemented so far, none can compare to the 300 million € funds earmarked for the construction and state- of-the-art outfitting of the two buildings, as well as for the design of the Educational and Cultural Park. The Greek State has licensed the majority of the former Hippodrome site, 165,000 sq.m, although it still remains the owner. Upon the completion of the projects, their operation will be the State’s - and its respective institutions - proprietary right, without any other commitment on the Foundation’s part. As Mr. A. C. Dracopoulos, member of the Board of Directors, announced to “VIMA”:…“Besides naming the Triple Project after the Foundation, no other requirement will apply on our part to the grant implementation….apart from a provision for the State to cooperate in moving the progress along in a timely manner. “ Was the amount of donation already decided? “No. Our office conducted detailed research, based on similar projects abroad, and after applying the results to the Greek market/needs the budget was estimated at approx. 300 million €. This was also decided through study of the current and future needs for the National Library and the National Lyric Theater, in order for their new premises to be not only modern and up to date, but also ready to respond to future challenges.” Vima 06/17/2007 translation 2 What are the difficulties that the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has faced so far? “This is a complicated project, certainly not typical by Greek standards. The Government and especially the Prime Minister and his associates have cooperated with us promptly and efficiently. Sometimes we need to make decisions and we try to do so with transparency, professionalism and sound grounds, of course always operating in a spirit of goodwill. Because of the broad scope of the project and its complexities, we will face plenty of challenges.” The genesis of the project has a long history. According to Mr. Dracopoulos, the first efforts of the Foundation in the direction of the National Library date back to 1999. The systematic research started in 2004 and was an outgrowth of a Public Libraries Conference organized by the Foundation in the spring of 2006. The conference, in cooperation with the Public Conference of New York, focused on the future of public Libraries and presented research on the best technological practices and their use in traditional libraries. Some initial moves towards the National Lyric Theater in 2004 were also not fruitful. In October 2005, however, the professor E. Voridis, member of the Greek Advisory Committee of our Foundation, and President of the Greek National Opera’s Board of Directors, raised the subject again and the research began at that time. The unanimous decision by our Board was made during the meeting of April 2006. “From the very beginning, we considered the park’s creation essential and we sought to find the proper site. All of us know and support the necessity and advantages of a large green site for the whole town.” Were there any other suggestions for the site/space? “Many. Mesogeion Ave., Goudi, Hellenikon, Votanikos…It was Mr. Alogoskoufis’ initiative for the Hippodrome, to whose Ministry the site belongs. After that, with the help of the Minister of Environment and Public Works, Mr. Souflias, some local issues were clarified and the procedures decided on.” In December of 2015 the project will be completed, as estimated by Mr. Dracopoulos. The two buildings with total building surface of 57.000 sq.m. will be developed in an area of 30-35.000 sq.m, while the remaining land will accommodate the park. An architectural competition will be held in 2007. The ground breaking ceremony should take place by the end of 2009. So, you will design them, build them and hand them to the State. And then? Aren’t you worried about the possibility of such a big project failing? Wouldn’t you like to assure the proper future use for both the National Library and the National Lyric Theater? “This is certainly one of our worries. However, we are not “Gods”; we just contribute to projects in need. We acknowledge that the future effective operation of the project after its “submission” to the Greek public is a great test for Greek society. However, this is a National Vima 06/17/2007 translation 3 project, and is independent of political or business interests. And that is why I find it irrational for some people to start criticizing so early. Let us all see how we can help in our own way, and be proud of a great project of European standards.” Large scale contributions US$290 million since 1996. Since its inception in 1996, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation has provided total grant commitments of US$289,700,000 through 1,288 donations to various not-for-profit organizations in Greece and abroad. With the contribution for the Cultural Triangle, the Foundation has symbolically revived the School of our National Benefactors, who enriched Athens and various other cities of Greece with great infrastructure works. While a contribution from a philanthropic organization cannot substitute for the State and its obligations, it may serve as an effective means of boosting even well developed countries and societies that need support. “The work of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation does not stop here. We will continue supporting and contributing to the creation and development of projects that strengthen our societies and citizens, globally,” says Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos. .