New York Times: Crisis Affects Greek Culture in a Negative Way

The New York Times has published an article about the significant fallout that the austerity measures imposed on Greece have had in the preservation and promotion departments at archaeological sites. The correspondent reporting from Kythera stressed that Greek culture has been negatively affected by the financial crisis.
Among other issues, the editor reports on the antiquities theft that took place last February at the ancient Olympia Museum, the forced retirement of many experienced archaeologists as well as the temporary closing of archaeological sites and museums all over the country due to shortages of funding.
The article also includes statements by former Minister of Culture and Tourism Pavlos Geroulanos, who comments that archaeological and cultural sites put great demands on security.  There is need of important programs, such as the upgrading of facilities in more than 100 archaeological sites despite adverse developments.

The article calls for the continuing admiration of Greek cultural heritage, starting with a reference to a public service announcement of the Greek Archaeologist Association featuring the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, “one of the cultural diamonds,” superimposed with the statement, “Monuments do not have a voice. They should have yours!”
The New York Times journalist concludes that the drastic financial cuts have led to damage of valuable archaeological sites, such as those that occurred in Kythera described by archaeologists at the scene, some of whom have been dismissed from their jobs.