Education minister’s visit brings artistic fruits
During her three-day visit to Athens last week, Austrian Education and Culture Minister Elisabeth Gehrer exchanged views with her Greek counterpart Marietta Giannakou on education and bilateral cultural relations. On her final day she managed to visit the Vorres Museum in Peaneia, where the director, Ion Vorres, gave her a guided tour of the contemporary art and folklore sections, and the traditional garden in the golden Attica sunshine. Her visit gave birth to an excellent idea of cooperation: to hold a representative exhibition of contemporary Greek artists in Vienna and one for Austrian artists at the Vorres Museum. And Gehrer promised to promote the idea in person. The minister, the new ambassador and Dr Joseph Hoechte, who is president of the Austrian union for better international understanding, were treated to the classic Greek mezedes and local Mesogheia wine before they went to the airport for the return tip to Vienna. Gehrer entered politics in 1984 and became minister in 1995. She taught junior high school, has three sons and goes climbing as a hobby.