The Athens Heritage Hub & ELLINIKI ETAIRIA Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET) participated in the event “Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Threats” organized by the Association for International & European Affairs (ODETH) in collaboration with the European Parliament Office in Greece.
The event aimed to highlight the vital importance of cultural heritage, the growing variety of threats it faces today, and the ways in which it can be protected and sustainably utilized. In recent years, the European discussion around cultural heritage has moved beyond a focus solely on its material aspects, now recognizing the vulnerability of both tangible and intangible heritage—as well as natural landscapes—to evolving global challenges.
Eleni Maistrou, Professor Emeritus at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and Chair of ELLET’s Architectural Heritage Council (AHAC), presented ELLET’s ongoing efforts to safeguard cultural heritage in Greece, particularly in response to emerging environmental and societal pressures. Stavroula Thravalou, Coordinator of the Athens Heritage Hub, outlined the work of the regional hub within Europa Nostra’s network, emphasizing grassroots initiatives and collaborations at the European level.
The panel and ensuing discussion explored the intersection of cultural heritage with major contemporary issues such as climate change, overtourism, armed conflict, and illegal excavations. Emphasis was placed on the need to adapt heritage protection strategies to the realities of today—where both man-made and natural threats impact cultural sites and practices alike.
Speakers stressed the importance of leveraging modern technological tools, such as digital documentation and monitoring systems, alongside time-honored traditional practices that have proven effective across generations. The discussion also highlighted the role of international organizations—including the EU, Europa Nostra, and UNESCO—in promoting integrated and participatory approaches to cultural heritage management.
A particularly urgent topic raised was the threat to traditional woodcarving, an intangible heritage element increasingly endangered by policy decisions that apply European directives without considering the specific needs of Greek craftsmanship and local tradition.
Agenda of the event_Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Threats
