Greece’s image in ruins
he Parthenon is the most important symbol of Greece’s cultural heritage and, for many, one of the most striking architectural monuments in the world. So, whenever tourists who visit Athens to see the Acropolis find the site shut due to strike action by guards, they get a bitter taste of the multifaceted crisis that is dogging this country. One aspect of this crisis is that some 70 percent of Culture Ministry staff are, in fact, working on short-term contracts. The problem has remained unresolved for years, quite simply because each government has done nothing but pass it on to the next one in order to avoid suffering the political cost. That said, no one should have the right to block access to this ancient monument atop the Sacred Rock – which is certainly one of Europe’s most important cultural sites. The Acropolis managed to stay open during much more difficult times than the present. It has witnessed war, foreign occupation and even suffered direct assaults. There is no reason whatsoever why it should remain closed now.
